The Unwanted Horse

by Katie

This is the story of my--well, part of my, life. My name is Karly, and I am fifteen years old. I go to a barn that is basically a horse-lover's dream. Only one problem-I am NOT a horse-lover.

My mom is an AMAZING rider, who has been in LOTS of World Jumping Shows. My dad is a Cross-country person. And I am neither. You see, since my parents are so famous, everyone assumed that I would be too. So, they did everything in their power to get me to love horses. I mean, they are cute and everything, but, they are just NOT my type.

I have always loved glitz and glam (and Barbie dolls), and horses are none of that. They eat, and the sleep. No glam there!! So, I have a horse that I am fed up with. His name is Domino, and he is an Appaloosa gelding. I cannot STAND him!!!!

All of my friends think that I am strange because I have a horse, but not the latest fashion. I agree. My horse never listens to me, and all of the other girls at the barn feel horrible for Domino. I could care less. I mean, I'm not mean to him, I think, but, all of the other girls whisper about me, and when I can catch snippets of what they are saying, I usually hear things like,

"...pulling back WAY to hard..." or,"...needs to be softer in the hands. Poor horse!..." This day was no better. I had just arrived at the barn, and up walked Sofia, my instructor.

"Hello, Karly. Today, we are going to be jumping!! How exciting!!" I just nodded and kept walking to Domino's stall. I brushed him down, then tacked up, cinching the girth to a riding-tightness.

Domino stomped a hind leg. That's funny, I thought, there are no flies out in January... I didn't think anything about it until I was walking behind his rump to put the brushes in the bucket on the other side of his body, and he lifted his leg, I thought to stamp again. I was wrong. He barreled me with the force of a rocket, into the fence behind him, with his hind leg. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that there is going to be a part two. It should be soon :)

The Unwanted Horse - Part 2

by Katie

Domino was clearly out of it that day. First, he kicked me as hard as he could, sending me into the fence, then, he decided to refuse to go into the trailer when we were loading him to take him to the vet to make sure his leg was alright since he had kicked me.

I was out of it when this was happening; I was somewhere inside of a hospital, having weird dreams. When I finally woke up, I had the feeling that I had just undergone plastic surgery, even though I have never had it, so I do not know how it feels.

The next day, I was completely healed, and went back crankily to the barn. This time, Sofia helped me tack up, and then took me on a soothing trail ride. Sure, nothing soothing about your horse falling on top of you while you are trying to cross a stream!! I officially fear my horse. I keep begging my mom to sell him, but she keeps saying that it's not all that bad. It is though.

Everyday I dread going to that infernal place, working with that infernal horse. Besides, there is only one girl at the barn who actually likes me. Her name is Rebecca. Her horse's name is Shadowdancer, and he is a pure-black Quarter Horse. She tries to be nice to me, but it never pays off. I simply don't like horses.

The Unwanted Horse - Part 3

by Katie

I was going to the barn, again. UGH. Domino was only getting worse. He wouldn't listen to me, and I wouldn't listen to him. He laid his ears back, I made him go faster, he started bucking, I pulled back on the reigns.

When I got to the barn, Domino wasn't in his stall. That's funny, I thought, he's stall boarded. I went outside to look for him, and there he was, being lunged in the round-pen by Rebecca!!

He had on no halter and she was carrying no whip. Instead, she would just point where she wanted him to go, and he would go there. She would simply cluck, and he would speed up, or she would say, "Ho!" and he would slow down. I walked up to her, furious.

"Exactly what do you think you are doing!?" She jumped then looked at me ashen-faced. "I-I'm sorry, Karly, it's just, you weren't here all day... I thought he could use some exercise... I'm really sorry... I should have aske-"

"Yes! You should have! He is MY horse, NOT yours!!! Go play with Shadowdancer!!" I guess I was just mad that she could do the thing that I had always wanted to do, but never could.

When Rebecca heard me talk about Shadowdancer, she bowed her head, and I saw a tear drop from her eye. She quickly wiped it away, then, in a shaky voice said, "Shadow got colic. I don't know if he will make it through the day."

The Unwanted Horse - Part 4

by Katie

SORRY I HAVEN'T WRITTEN THIS IN SO LONG :)

I almost fainted when I heard about Shadowdancer getting colic. I hate to admit it, but I felt bad for Rebecca. I...well...hope that he makes it.

Today I am going to the barn. I walked in, and there is Rebecca...petting Shadowdancer!! He must have survived . I walked up to her timidly and asked, "So, he made it?" Duh. That was a dumb question. She answered it anyway, "Yep. Barely. I still can't ride him until he gets the 'all clear' sign from the vet." I felt a feeling of relief. I know how much he means to her.

Also, just then, thinking about the bond she shares, I felt a very...strange feeling. A bond towards my own horse. My mind can't register the feeling of love...toward Domino. I think about what if it had been him that had gotten colic. What if he would have died? I, well, realize that my life would be shattered. I was taking my best friend for granted, for so long.

After telling Rebecca goodbye, I walked up to Domino's stall, and felt his warm breath against my hand as he nuzzled me, looking for a carrot. He must have thought that I was Rebecca. She is the only one who normally gives him carrots. I seem to actually enjoy my horse now, after that revalation in the stables. I lead him out of his stall, and put his bridle on.

Then, I mounted bareback and rode in the pasture for a while. Hard to believe, I know, but I, Karly Onistine, daughter of two of the most famous horse-people, a former horse-hater, actually love my Domino.


Herein lies the end of my tale. Hope you enjoyed! Any suggestions, feel free to tell me!