Stained Red

Runaway Horse

When the rain had ceased to a light drizzle, I gently poked my nose out of the metal hutch. a stream of water poured on top of my snout, that had collected over the storm. I pulled my nose back and licked my upper lip. the sun just peeked over the corner of the hutch. I took a few steps out into the filthy pasture. I saw the man leading a liver bay horse into a hexagon shaped arena. its ribs and backbone were showing and it was tripping over its overgrown hooves. when the man reached the gate he dropped the horses lead rope and fiddled with the rusty latch. the liver bay walked backwards and saw the lead rope following him. he got spooked and reared before he galloped into the open fields ahead. the man yelled a few nasty words and trudged inside to his home. the other horses nickered there congrats on the liver bays escape. the liver bay was only a few yards away when the man came back out. the man stomped into the field and chased after the horse. His hands were flailing in the air, and he was screeching at the top of his lungs. All the horses laughed at sight of there owner looking like a fool. " I don't have time for this!" Is all he said. Then he eventually just left the horse and started to lead all of the unhealthy looking horses into a separate pasture, that was far at the back of the stables. After that task was done, he raked down the mud and manure. That's when I saw a red truck speed down the mucky road, carrying a large man in a brown apron within

the man, whose name I learnt was "the hated one", unlocked my paddock and brought the large man with him. The man in the apron set up a fire and a metal table that looked rusted and old. The hated one kept saying the word 'farrier' but I didn't know what that was so I was really calm when he started to lift my hoof. As the hated one held me still, the man in the apron started to pound in nails on my hooves! I didn't hurt it just felt, weird. After the man was done with all four hooves, he wiped his hand across his face and brushed off the dirt from his apron. "You know, these pastures are quite muddy, are you sure this is a safe environment for a foal this small?" He said scratching underneath my chin. " for your information, I'm doing perfectly well and I'm getting a load of fresh sod to lay down any day now." Said the hated one, a little taken aback. That's when the hated one led me into my stall and locked me in. I wondered why the other horses weren't as fond of him as I was, there was nothing wrong with him as far as I can see...

That was the last time I ever felt any emotion towards that man, besides anger and fear.