Beyond the Herd

In a small town called Orden, lived Esme Castillo, a 16-year-old. Esme has ridden horses her whole life, and she has always wanted her own. Esme was at the local diner with her friend Olivia when she saw a horse for sale poster on the wall. She saw the big words "For Sale" and was so excited.

She read the poster to Olivia, "17hh Friesian needs a new home fast."

She looked at the price. "HOLY COW!" Esme exclaimed. "It's only $500!"

"You don't need a horse," Esme's mom said.

"But mom look at the price! Plus I already have the money. Can I get him?

Please?" Esme dragged out the, please.

Her mom looked at her and saw just how much she wanted it.

"Fine," she said.

"Yes!" Esme was so happy she was almost crying.

"We will go pick him up tomorrow," Esme's mom said monotone.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" Esme shouted while running to her room.

Esme couldn't sleep all night thinking about what the horse will be like. She was super excited.

The next morning Esme got ready and left to get the horse. When they got there the owner was so happy that someone wanted the horse. They got the horse loaded, paid the man and left for home. When they got home they unloaded the horse and put him in a pen. Esme was shocked by how beautiful and graceful the horse was. The horse was pure black and had a long wavy mane and tail that had a certain shine to it. Esme thought he needed a name, He was smart and beautiful so he needed a beautiful name.

"Captiosus," Esme said.

"What?" her mom asked.

"That's his name. Captiosus."

Esme was so happy she finally has her own horse! Esme was just watching her horse when she decided she needed some tack for him. She went to town and went to the tack shop she found all the stuff she needed. She got a bright teal halter and lead rope, a tan western saddle, a tan bridle with split reins, a navy blue saddle pad and a grooming kit. She also bought oats and peppermint treats, all the stuff she bought cost around $1300. When she got back home she went into the barn to put everything away by the time she finished it was already dark. Esme went inside, ate dinner and went to sleep. She got up around 7 am and went outside to see Captiosus. When Esme got outside she saw Captiosus hiding in the corner of his pen. Esme then knew she would have to gain his trust.

Esme got Captiosus and tied him up so she could brush him. She got the brush and started to brush him, Esme could tell he was nervous. She walked to his neck and started brushing his mane as she was brushing his mane she decided to talk to him.

"Hey, there's no reason to be nervous" Esme said calmly to Captiosus as she started petting him. Esme saw that Captiosus kept bouncing from leg to leg, she went and got her hoof pick, picked up his foot and gasped at how bad it was. His hoof had lots of rocks and mud that was very dry so she knew she would be working on it for a while. Once Esme was done cleaning his hooves she decided she should lunge him a bit. Esme untied Captiosus and brought him to the round pen where she started lunging him at a walk. She got him up to a trot, and then a lope. Esme was amazed at how pretty he was as loped around the pen. His black hair was shining in the sun, and his mane was flowing in the wind. The sound of his hooves hitting the ground was almost hypnotizing. Esme then decided to stop training for the day, so she approached him with a treat from her pocket and gave it to him.

"Good boy Captiosus" Esme whispered. She knew she was slowly gaining his trust. She brushed him again and made him some oats. After Captiosus was done eating Esme took the bucket from him, and gave him another treat. She told him