Leading the pack

My first race

After weeks of the boy hitting me and kicking me hard enough to draw blood I watch a trailer pull into the yard. After a few minutes im stuffed into the trailer my lead being tied way to tight so I have to hold my head at an uncomfortable angle my face rubbing against the wall. The truck starts and I am jolted forward hitting my face against the front of the trailer. After what feels like forever we stop and Im taken out. In the sun my ribs and hip bones stick out and a few people look at me pitifully. Im brushed off quickly and they saddle me pinching me with the girth. I pin my ears and step away only to be hit with a crop a few times. I see a few people look over and shield the eyes of young kids hurrying them away from me and my scared bones. They throw the boy onto my back. I see someone coming twords me. They grab my reins and make the boy get down off my back. There are a few  more who come and stick connecting bracelets on them they push them into cars slamming the doors. I rear spooked as an engine starts. They desperately try to calm me down but only end up scaring me further. My reins come out of the humans hand and I turn on my haunches and speed away. The fence comes closer and closer to me and I ready myself to jump over it springing off at the last second. I clear the fence and continue running. The flat grass helps me spur myself forward. I begin to hear people shouting to each other spooking me further. I begin to stretch myself out making my legs take faster longer strides. Im soon speeding across the field at not quite gallop. There are a bunch of people who go and block off a large opening with a just as large gate. There is an antsy looking bay who starts hopping up and down with his front end wanting to run. I spook again this time at something in front of me making me turn on my haunches and bolt in the other direction. The  bay colts rider has something said to them and they watch me for a moment before tearing off down the track. This catches my attention and I instantly want to race him. They slow to a trot and the small bay colt hops up and down slightly. I curiously lope over to them and he suddenly takes off. A strange feeling washes over me and I begin running. Excitement begins to swallow me as I speed up again now taking longer strides. I am now head to head with the small colt and I snort at him before spurring myself forwards into a gallop. The small colt begins to go a bit faster his pride being challenged I flick tail and begin to sprint (a very fast gallop) the small colt huffs and starts ever so slowly falling behind. My breath comes in quick gasps but my stride lengthens and I give the last amount of my energy to pass where we started. There are a few people who cheer and the small colt slows down so that he walks now on a loose rein. I have by now slowed myself to a walk slowly catching my breath.