May 2009 Story Contest

Bribery  by Maki

I had loved horses all my life. My favorite breed is thoroughbreds and I love horseracing. Most people think it is cruel and it isn't any more cruel than any other horse sport. Not unless the owner is cruel that is. I learned the real affects of that.

When I saw him for the first time I was in such shock. The gray gelding was very thin and even though he was very calm, you could see the whites of his eyes.

I tried to imagine everything inside my head. As if I was there when it happened.

The bell rang and the announcer yelled over the cheering crows as the thoroughbreds sprung out of the gate. They all ran with full power, speed. All but one. A young dappled gray hung to the back and moved as if he were in pain. He was. His legs had been burned, they had loaded him with steroids every race and it was too much on him. He came in dead last. He would never win a race. His owners began to abuse him because he was worthless in their eyes. He was going to be slaughtered, he didn’t deserve to live to them.

But one person cared about this horse. A woman named Pam. She had rescued the horse from certain death and here he was now in a happy safe home. I looked away from the gelding and absently stroked another horse when I saw a gray form move in the corner of my eye. That couldn't be him could it? He wouldn't trust me, would he?

I turned and saw it was him. He sniffed my legs and moved his head up to my hand and then lifted his head a little higher. I picked up my hand and he didn’t flinch or run away. I scratched his forehead and he seemed to enjoy it.

Why would this horse trust a human, after all they did was hurt him and what he loved to do best. Apparently I was right. He suddenly turned and moved away. When I tried to follow he went faster. He was the first to go back to the barn before the others followed.

I wanted to get this horse to trust me; I knew I would. He needs help. He needs a friend, and a friend I would be. I could already seem my self a year or so from now on the healthy and sleek thoroughbred, so happy and where I belonged. I knew I found my dream horse. I later found out how right I was, but never imagined it to be so easy. Or will it be?

~

I walked down the dirt path looking over at the horses munching hay. I remember last time I was here and learned about an abused ex-racer who was rescued from slaughter. I had never stopped thinking about that horse since then.

Now the beautiful gray gelding was very content, eating well and enjoying his time with his friends. A few horses glanced my way when I opened the gate but they all returned to the food. I stroked the barreling side of the nearest horse, an overweight bay quarterhorse mare named Suzie.

Bribery looked up at me, then back to the hay. I kept running my fingers along Suzie's dirty coat, never taking my eyes off of Bribery. The gelding looked up every now and then but never came.

Maybe I had been wrong. Logically it would make sense that the horse didn’t trust me. It was only my imagination, only because I had a keen interest in him.

I spent most of my time with the horses or at the house with puppies. Before long, it was getting dark and time to go home. It had been a long day, but still the gray paid no attention me. I said goodbye to the other horses, and as if they knew, they all walked back to the old barn as I left the gate. Before leaving I turned around and found that one horse stayed behind. Bribery stared at me with big brown eyes through a long black forelock.

He took a few steps towards me and I did the same. After a few more steps we both met at the fence, and I slowly lifted my hand to let him sniff it. He did for a second before turning his head to the barn. For a moment I thought he was going to make a run for it. He didn't, he only turned his head back to me. I cautiously lifted my hand and began to scratch his forehead, and he turned his ears outward and closed his eyes halfway, relaxed. I relaxed as well, and continued to scratch him and talk soothingly to him. After a while I remembered I had to go home and looked at my fingers now covered in dirt.

I put my arms around his neck, without quite touching him and when he didn't budge I let my arms fall to him. To my surpise he leaned his head over my shoulder and into me as if hugging me back. I smiled and then let go of him.

"Don't worry my boy. I'll be back to see you soon." I promised him. I turned and walked up the dirt path a few feet before turning to look at him again. He had stepped back now and looked back at me a moment. Then he turned and slowly walked up to the barn. I walked beside him a good distance away on the other side of the fence until he reached the barn and I reached the gate. I closed the gate and stared at the barn before turning away to walk back to the house. I couldn't wait to come see him again, because I knew now that he trusted me.

~

I was finally back at Pam's house again. I immediately went down to the barn to see the horses. They were all there execept for Bribery and the little mustang Snickers. I went through the gate and went to say hello to Suzie. "Hey there big girl. Do you know where Bribery is?" I asked her.

Instead of looking to me she turned her head over to the old barn. I looked too, and inside I saw a horse head. "Show me where he's at girl."

Suzie pushed me aside and started lazily across the tiny stream and up hill to the barn. The others followed, Blitz watched me carefully. I looked at the mucky water and then to the barn. I need a way up. I decided to go around the little slope and up the other side. When I got over there I saw Suzie at the top blocking my way. I groaned and turned back. Suzie followed.

I somehow managed to jump across the stream and nearly sank into the mud on the other side. I tried desperately to get up to the barn but kept sinking with each step. When I got closer to the horses I wanted to keep going but I sank to my ankles and just turned and climbed over the fence and out. It was exhausting trying to get through there.

When I turned around that demonized old Blitz was watching me and you know what he was doing? He stuck his tongue out at my defeat. I glared at him from the other side of the fence and he came over to. I put my hand out and was able to just get my finger tips to get the end of his nose. He wouldn't come any closer, to let me pet him. Blitz doesn't like anyone.

I gave up (again) and turned off and went back to the house to find my mom and Pam. "Did you see all the horses?" Pam asked me.

"Not all of them." I told her.

"Snickers is in the barn. He kept escaping so we're keeping him inside. Bribery's in the barn, he hasn't been doing to good."

My heart sank at those words. I felt sick. "Can I go see him?"

"Sure. You can go see him. The amish guy is in there building my stalls." She waved her hand toward the barn.

I nodded and headed off. When I got closer I could hear the amish man, Jake, working. I peered around the corner and saw him. Looking farther in I saw Bribery tied to the wall with his head hanging low. When he saw me though, he immediately picked up his head had pricked his ears in my direction.

I went over to him and hugged his neck, "Oh my pretty boy." I smiled. Jake looked over at me but I ignored him. I began to scratch Bribery's forehead and talk softly to him.

I stayed with him again for a long time when finally Pam came and filled a bucket of water for him. "You like her don't you boy?" Pam asked Bribery and he bobbed his head up and down causing us to laugh.

She decided he should have some time outside. I stayed with him then too and kept my arms laid out across his back and dozed off. Whenever he would walk my legs would follow in sync with him.

Later before I had to leave Pam was back again and watching us. "I'm surprised he's letting you do that. You must have some sort of special connection with him. I need someone like that to work with him." She winked at me before continuing on. I grinned from ear to ear as I reached up to hug Bribery's neck.