Yearning to Live

Road Trip

It has been four weeks since I've arrived at the stables. I was led out of the barn by Tom and led to a saddling area. But instead of putting a cloth on my back, he put shipping pads on my legs and a blanket on my back. Tom then led my down the dirt path away from the track. I looked back wanting to go run but Tom just kept walking. When I looked where I was heading I stopped. A cage loomed ahead. Tom tried to urge me on, but I refused to move. The towering cage was in front of me and the darkness seemed to be expanding, and a wave of heat and fear washed over me. Tom once again tried coaxing me to no avail. Then he led me around the side of the ramp and temporarily tied me to the cage. He left me and returned moments later with something behind his back. Then one of the trainers whose name is Mady, untied and led me around to the back of the cage. Again the darkness loomed ahead and I stopped. But this time, Tom went around the back of me and stopped at my hind quarter. He then presented what was behind his back and waved it threatening to hit me. It was a whip. Mady then pulled me forward as the whip hovered over my leg. I quickly moved forward refusing to get hit. Mady then took the lead rope and tied it to the cage and made sure the chest bar's pad was in position and made sure I had enough hay, then slipped between me and the metal side and walked out of the cage. Sunlight peered in through the back which made the cage less ominous. Then I heard a creaking noise and I look back and the ramp is closing. I start to panic. There are tiny windows that provide little light. I was claustrophobic, but there was no way to escape. I heard the voices of Tom and Mady outside and a truck door shut close. Then a car engine started and the ground started to move. My knees were shaking but luckily the cage held me upright. I tried to sleep but my head spun and I felt sick. I closed my eyes and soon nodded off, terrified and sad, because I fell asleep with dreams of the herd.

I woke when I was jolted forward into the chest pad. My chest ached but the car engine cut. I looked around in the dark cage. Through the slotted windows, I could see movement outside.