My Second Chance

Chapter Seven

I was pacing for what seemed like hours, but it was probably a lot less. Chloe came back a little while after the sun had gone down. Her horse was exhausted and drenched in sweat. She looked very tired as well. Poor Chester and Ranger looked as if they could stay on their feet no longer but they wouldn't leave Chloe's side even if they didn't have any legs. She was leading a beautiful buckskin stallion, about four. He was shaking and his eyes were full of fear. She slid off of the black stallion and slowly walked him over to his stable. She handed me the buckskin without a word and put the stallion in his stable. I patted the buckskin and he leant against me for support and comfort. Suddenly, I caught sight of several whip lashed across his beautiful coat.

"He's wonderful," I whispered," But what are those on his side?"

"He comes from next door," Chloe said as she came out of the stable to fetch a brush for the stallion," They abuse horses next door. He must have been being backed or something when he bolted then the foxes chased after him. He must have run for miles and miles. I caught him just before he ran into the hunting party. He would have been in real trouble then."

"Will you keep him here?" I asked.

"I don't know yet," Chloe replied," He is a fine looking boy but I don't have the room to keep him and I don't have enough time to back him either. I have foals on the way."

"Well, what if I look after him?" I suggested.

Chloe stared at me. I don't think she believed me at first but then I told her that I meant it. I could tell that she was considering it.

"Give me until tomorrow morning," Chloe said," And I'll sort things out."

I was so excited. The buckskin stallion was such a handsome fellow and he seemed to like me. I would have to learn how to ride properly on Ava first but then I would be ready to train him. He would make such a wonderful eventer. My stomach flipped at the thought of riding the beautiful stallion through the trails that laid in secret in the country. I smiled at my cousin and said," Where should I put him?"

"Well, for now, you can put him in Tigger's stable," Chloe said," And I am going to go to bed."

"What?" I said in surprise," It's only eight-thirty."

"Yes, and I need to get up early in the morning and possibly in the night," Chloe replied," I have foals that could arrive any day now."

I watched her walk away to where the rest of her dogs were sitting on several hay bales. She led them around the corner and up some stairs into which I assumed was the hay loft. Meanwhile, I put the buckskin in Tigger's stable and watched him as he explored his new surroundings. After a while, he decided that it was safe and went to his hay net which had been put in there earlier and began to munch at it greedily. When he had eaten his fill, he approached me and let me stroke his muzzle.

"Don't worry boy," I whispered to him," I'll take care of you. Buck."