Hi, Beyancca here. Yes, I know I didn’t
want to tell the last story when Jinja offered it to me, but now, well, I’ve
changed my mind.
“Why not? Come on Beyancca, don’t be a wimp!” I thought:
“After all, Jinja did it and
he was not used to story telling.” Well,
are you all sitting comfortably? Well,
I’ll begin. Oh no! I’m sounding old fashioned aren’t I, forget
that! Start again Beyancca!
What’s happened recently? Jinja’s
told you most of what has happened. I’ve
been left to pick through the scraps from the end of the last story, thanks
Jinja! No, I’m not really feeling that
way, sorry Jinj’.
I’m lying on a straw bale as I dictate this. I never stand if I can help it. I’m lazy you might say. But I’m determined that I’m not going to be
like most horses. I mean, you never see
a horse lying down do you? well not often.
I’m not scared of things happening to me if I lie on bales of
straw. I know horses are vulnerable if
they lie for too long. But I’ve never
come to harm yet and I’m not likely too as long as I am cared for in a stable
yard. I am feeling the joy of
summer. It’s a wonderful day outside and
I’m going out there in a bit. The
Manageress hasn’t got any work for me today.
That’s unusual, I seem to be in demand.
A lot of riders like me. I don’t
really know why, I’m not as experienced as some horses. Enough of that, I’m bored with it.
What’s happening at the moment? I
can see that Misty’s half asleep, Fleur’s begging a human to give her a polo
mint, and I can’t stand polo mints.
Digby’s flat out on a straw bale just like me, Candy and
“Wow that feels good! You can stay as long as you like.” I think as the human strokes me some
more. He rubs my ears and I rest my head
on his shoulder and close my eyes. The
human strokes me some more and then leaves.
“Hey! Don’t go!
I was enjoying that!” I
yell. The human takes no notice and
walks on. I am now seriously annoyed and
kick my door with all my force! One of
The instructors comes sweeping round the corner and yells at me.
“Beyancca!” I reply:
“Yes and what can I do for
you?” The instructor gets very annoyed
with me for this and yells something about me being a spoilt horse with no
manners, I can’t believe what I’m hearing!
“Fleur’s the bad mannered
horse, not me!” I protest. Fleur squeals at me to:
“Shut up Beyancca!” While the instructor stamps off in a raging
fury. I unbolt my door and walk out into
the yard. As I pass Fleur she attempts
to bite me!
“Hey Fleur! Stop it!”
Fleur gives me a disgusted stare and turns her back on me. You can’t please everyone can you? I’m still chewed up about Clover and Rosie’s
passing. I can’t get my head around
re-incarnation, or anything else Jinja told me.
I’m still feeling bad for coming on at Jinja. I shouldn’t have done it! It’s dishonourable! But I couldn’t help myself! It just happened! I return to my box and look at my
timetable. No work for the next few
hours, good. I walk up to the top field
and settle down to narrating my story.
I am flopped on the grass while I narrate this. Hmmm where shall I start? I haven’t got anything really important to
tell you about. Oh yeah, there is
something, I just remembered something that happened a few days ago! It’s funny now I think about it. But it wasn’t at the time. Well, it all started last Wednesday. I had been tacked up and was standing in the
yard waiting for my rider. We were due
to go on a hack. I could see that the
day was warm and that the hack would be a pleasant one. Or that was what I thought. My rider was the worst ever! I mean, I can take novice riders, I have no
problem there. But a novice that’s also
a pain in the, well, you know, is a sorry prospect for any horse. Rosie would have left the country if she had
to deal with this human! I’ve got
nothing against larger people before you start!
But this human’s dimensions were almost more than I could
comprehend! He was the largest,
clumsiest, rudest most thoughtless human imaginable. All right!
I’ll admit that is a bit of an overstatement, but it sounds good on paper
doesn’t it? Well, there was this
human. He was large, rude and
thoughtless. I looked at him and decided
to see what he was like. Horses cannot
make judgements just like that. Well,
they’re not supposed to. I’ve seen Fleur
and Crofter refuse to carry a few humans.
But I wasn’t the type then to do it, but now, well, I just might you
know. After the time this human gave me
I’m qualified to refuse anyone! Well,
this male human decided that he would like to mount.
“All right, fine, no
problem.” I thought as he tried
unsuccessfully to get his foot into the stirrup. Short of dropping to my knees I couldn’t do
anything to help. The stupid human
started cursing and swearing. The
Manageress got annoyed with him and told him in no uncertain terms that he
would be thrown off the premises if he carried on like that. The man, for that’s what I think older human
males are called, started swearing at me!
I hadn’t done anything to harm him!
Words I didn’t know the meanings of came from the man! The Manageress soothed me as the man got more
and more annoyed. In the end the
Manageress gave him a leg up. But the
stupid human had said time and time again that he was an expert rider, oh yeah
mate! I’ll believe that! Not! The Manageress had taken him on his word
however. She had no reason to doubt
him. But I knew, yes I knew that this
male human was a lot less than an expert.
The Manageress couldn’t be blamed for her mistake. She hadn’t met this idiot before. Once the man was sitting on my back I realised
how heavy he was.
“I’ll not be able to go above
a jog with this clumsy oaf on me!” I
thought. I tried to tell the Manageress
that the situation was very serious indeed.
The Manageress told me to try the human out for size. I thought:
“I know he’s too large for
me!” but said nothing. I found that the Manageress was right. I could work with this buffoon on my back. But he was so annoying! He would fiddle with the reigns so I didn’t
know where to turn. In the end I stopped
and put my nose down to some grass. I
chomped contentedly at the lush green foodstuff for a few minutes while the
Manageress assessed the situation. I
turned my head towards the Manageress and tried pleading with her.
“This human’s a sod! I can’t work with him!” I COULD SEE THAT THE Manageress was seeing
that our “friend” wasn’t so expert after all.
I had a crafty plan.
“Give this bloody human what
he wants. I’ll be as unpredictable as
possible and see how he likes it!” I
thought. So I played up big time! I bucked and reared until the Manageress had
to hold me down with force!
“Hey Beyancca, come on dear,
calm down a bit.” She said. I had no intention of calming down! I suddenly shot off towards the river. I ran right to the edge and stopped
dead! The human flew over my head in a
beautiful arc and landed smack in the middle of the river. He landed with a huge “SPLASH!” I was laughing so hard I could hardly
stand. The Manageress after seeing that
the human in her care was none the worse for wear collapsed also.
“Ha! Ha! Fixed you!”
I whooped. The enraged human
strode up to me and clouted me across my nose with the riding crop he had
grabbed from the Manageress before he left the yard. I say grabbed because he
just took it without consulting the Manageress as to whether he would need to
use a riding crop with me. This
irresponsible behaviour by humans really does nothing to improve their image
with us horses. The Manageress had been
driven to distraction by this human’s antics.
But her professional mind stopped her from displaying her outrage at
seeing one of her horses clubbed around its nose with a riding crop. As for me I squealed with pain and lashed out
at the human. The man took four hurried
paces backwards, lost his balance and fell in the water.
“Serves you right!” I thought.
The Manageress dismounted from her horse and came over to me. She examined my nose carefully. I felt her fingers gently pressing on the fur
making sure that the skin underneath was undamaged. I squealed as she touched the bruised part.
“Sorry Beyancca.” She said.
The Manageress then turned her attention towards the man who had pulled
himself out of the water. The human
looked unfit for anything, let alone riding.
I looked at the man with pure raging hatred. The Manageress noticed this and commented on
it.
“Beyancca’s angry with
you.” The Man turned away and squelched
off. The Manageress took hold of my
reigns and led me alongside her horse. I
jogged along feeling very tired. The
Manageress made her horse walk at my pace.
Very slow. I stopped. The field was spinning faster and
faster! Suddenly it turned
upside-down. I lost my balance and
crashed onto the grass! I felt terrible. The Manageress stopped her horse and
dismounted. She knelt down beside me and
shook my shoulder. I whimpered with
misery. The Manageress produced the now
famous mobile phone from her pocket and punched in a number. She spoke to the person on the other end and
requested that my box be cleaned out and fresh straw be put in it. She then phoned the vet and spoke at length
to him. The Manageress came out of her
technological conference and told me that I was suffering from sunstroke. I didn’t know what sun stroke was, all I knew
was I felt awful. I struggled to my feet
and stood there swaying alarmingly. The
Manageress instructed her horse to lean against me to support me. I then realised who the Manageress’s horse
was.
The loose box had never been so welcoming. I flopped onto a straw bale and closed my
eyes. I felt hot and cold all at the
same time. I got to the point where I
couldn’t stand anyone touching me! I
would cry out if a human stroked me, or if a horse nuzzled me. The heat of contact was too much. I shivered and shook my way through a week of
hell! My condition upset many horses as
well as humans because they couldn’t touch me.
Even Domino had a change of heart.
Ever since Mac and I had become friends, she had hated me. But she came and visited me and felt my pain
like the rest of the horses did. Domino
had her fair share of problems and she could see that the problems were not
just confined to her, other horses had them also. Mac came to visit me on the fifth day of the
week of hell. This brightened up the day
for me. Mac was the first horse to hug
me since the sun stroke had set in. I
realised that it didn’t hurt. The pain
had gone and I could enjoy physical contact once again. I had missed a good stroke or a hug. Mac rubbed my nose with hers. I rubbed back and Mac laughed.
“You’re on the mend
Beyancca.” She said. I smiled, that was strange to me also. For a week I hadn’t known what a smile
was. I had felt anti-social.
The first day I walked out into the yard after my recovery was a joyful
event. Just the feeling of the concrete
under my hooves after what seemed like ages of straw was wonderful. I was back working a fortnight after my
collapse. I felt better than I had for a
long time. For the first time in months it felt good to be alive. I suddenly had an uncontrollable urge to
run! I took off across the fields and
didn’t stop until I was swimming the river.
I swam and swam until I was tired.
Then I scrambled out onto the bank and stretched out on the grass. I had to be careful, or I would be back to
square one with the sunstroke. After
five minutes I swam back down the river towards the yard and climbed out into
Coquin’s field. Coquin looked at me and
smiled.
“Good to have you back.” He said.
“Thanks.” I replied.
Coquin gave me some bad news about Cleo then.
“The Manageress tried to
put Cleo and me together. But we’re in
the field with the Field horses and Cleo was beaten up.” I knew what Coquin meant when he said the
Manageress had put him and a mare “together.”
I felt rage towards the Field horses.
“Why do they do this all the
time?” I asked. Coquin looked mystified.
“Search me.” He replied.
Jinja thumped me on the shoulder then.
“Hey Beyancca!” he yelled.
“Hello Jinja.” I replied.
Jinja nuzzled my shoulder.
“I’m pleased to see you back
on your feet.” He said. I walked back to the yard with him. We clopped along the road while we chatted.
“You had the same thing as
what I DID.” Jinja said.
“What? Sunstroke?”
I asked.
“Yeah, that’s right.” Jinja replied. We had reached the yard by now and were
stopped by Domino. She rubbed her nose
against mine. I thought:
“You’re changing your spots
Domino.” I noticed that Mac wasn’t at
Domino’s heels. I wondered if Domino had
rethought her methods of Mac’s education.
I nuzzled and thumped Domino until she cried out.
“Hey Beyancca! Cool it a bit my dear.” I stopped bashing her when the Manageress
stepped in.
“Come on Beyancca, stop
bashing Domino. She’s not a punch bag,
even if you are being friendly.” She
said. Domino thumped me back. This rough and tumble made me feel that
Domino was changing beyond all recognition.
I went in search of Cleo.
I found her in a very bad mood in her box. She swore viciously as she limped over to
meet me.
“The bloody Field horse! I’ll bloody kill him!” she fumed.
Cleo limped about looking very sorry for herself. Cleo’s eyes were full of pain!
“That horse smashed my
leg!” she gasped. I stared at her.
“What? Smashed your leg Cleo?” I asked dumbly.
“Yeah, that’s what I said
Beyancca!” she snapped. We didn’t know
then how close to her actual problem we were.
We didn’t know then that the Field horse’s madness would lead to months
of torment for Cleo. The Manageress came
to take to the vet.
“Stay with me
Beyancca!” Cleo whimpered. I saw she was really scared.
Cleo, the Manageress and I made slow progress towards the lorry. Digby was waiting for us. It seemed that Cleo had a real fan club. So the Manageress loaded three horses into
the lorry. We drove towards the vet’s
place with Cleo drugged up to her eyeballs on morphine.
We arrived in the midday heat.
Digby and I were led to loose boxes as we refused to leave Cleo. Cleo was led into the vet’s place. We saw nothing more until she came out after
her operation.
I will hand over to Cleo for this part because I can’t say for sure what
went on during her operation.
“I was led into the strange room with the rubber flooring. The vet then stuck a needle in my neck. By this time my leg was aching like
hell! I felt awful. My vision suddenly went fuzzy and I flopped
onto the rubber matting. I was winched
into the theatre and my legs were tied to posts to stop me from kicking the
vets. Well, three legs were tied to the
posts while my smashed leg was free and drooped uselessly. I’m sorry about this, but I have to describe
what happened next. The vet then opened
up my leg and took a look at the damage caused when the Field horse had a go at
me. The bone was smashed right through! The vet stared at the damage in horror and
consulted the Manageress about what she should do. I knew that horses were put to sleep if they
broke their legs. I was scared that this
might happen to me! I would find out
soon what my fait was going to be. I
waited for ages. The vet and the
Manageress had a long talk. Then the VET
RETURNED.
She called to another human.
“Hey Peter! I’ve got a problem you might be able to
solve.” The human named Peter came into
the operating theatre and offered his services.
I then heard something very strange indeed! After looking at my injury Peter said:
“There is something we can
try. It’s a treatment developed in
“Surgeon had no way of fixing broken limbs because there were no plaster
casts available. He got an idea one-day
from seeing the spokes on carriage wheels.
He developed this idea and used the spokes to hold the ends of the
broken bone together. One day a few
months later a patient of his came to him saying that they thought they had
turned the screw that operated this contraption the wrong way. The surgeon noticed that the leg he had operated
on was slightly longer than the other.
When he asked the patient how long he had been doing this, the patient
said about four weeks. “ I was bemused
by all this and so was the Manageress.
The vet and Peter had a long chat and decided that they would try this
with me. In short the vet took all the
smashed bone out of the wound and made sure all was ready for the next
stage. The two ends of bone were now
about three centimetres apart. The vet
then asked Peter to take over. Peter
fiddled with wires and metal for a long time.
I couldn’t feel much, I couldn’t feel anything in fact, and I could hear
what was said. Peter launched off into a
technical description of the work he was doing.
It seemed that Peter helped out human patients who had broken legs. I asked myself what he would be doing in the
vet’s place? The answer became
clear. Peter wanted to see if medicine
developed for humans could do the same thing for horses. I heard that he had owned a horse that had to
be put to sleep after it had broken its leg in a fall. Peter told the vet that he had been so
distressed after his horse had died that he looked at ways of making sure that
the same thing did not happen to another.
By this time the operation was almost complete. I was released from my moorings and carried
back into the strange room again. I woke
up gradually from the doping drugs.
To say I felt sick would be an understatement. When I woke from the operation I felt ill, I
was disorientated, my leg was sore and my mouth was as dry as the
“Why are they holding me
down? What the hell’s going on?” I thought.
It appeared that the humans didn’t want me to put any weight on my
damaged leg. I was eventually carried
out into the sunlight and placed on a low loader of all things! I thought:
“I’m not a steam roller you
know!””
I’M HANDING BACK TO BEYANCCA NOW, IT’S HER STORY AFTER ALL.
It seemed like several millennia had passed since Cleo had disappeared
into the vet’s place. She came out after
a long time and was placed on an industrial sized low loader. This had to be done because on no account
should Cleo put any weight on her leg until it had been lengthened. You see, one of her legs was three
centimetres shorter than the other three.
Cleo was strapped down and we were led out and loaded back into the lorry. So Digby, Cleo and I were separated for the
journey back to the yard. When we
reached it the low loader with it’s unusual cargo stopped in a field. Cleo was lifted off and placed on the grass
lying on her side. The low loader then
departed. We were led out of the horse
lorry thing and were told by the Manageress that we weren’t to go into the
field with Cleo.
“Why not?” Digby asked.
“You’ll tread on her.” The Manageress replied. Digby was incensed.
“What! Cleo’s my girl
friend! I wouldn’t do anything of the
sort! Tread on her, who do you think I
am?” Digby shouted. The Manageress sighed and turned away to walk
back to her house. The moment she was
out of sight we broke her rules and entered Cleo’s field. I saw a husk of a horse lying on the
grass. Cleo looked very sorry for
herself. There was another thing; she
had a thing on her leg that looked like a pair of wheels from one of the
Manageress’s carriages! I asked myself
why the Manageress would dismantle her carriage. I supposed that her horses were very
important to her, so she would do anything for them, even go so far as to
dismantle her carriage. But why? Why would Cleo be wearing part of the
carriage? I tried talking to Cleo.
“Hey Cleo dear, can you hear
me dear.” I ventured. Cleo opened her eyes and looked blearily at
me. She tried to speak but failed. Her eyes said all she wanted to say.
I knelt beside her and
whispered:
“What happened in the vet’s
place?” Cleo shook her head and I left
it. She didn’t know or didn’t want to
tell me, one or the other. Cleo tried to
speak once again.
“I, I can’t say what
happened for sure.” She whispered. Digby looked tortured.
“I can’t watch her go
through this!” he whispered. I thought:
“I know this might be blunt
Digby, but, you’ll have to get used to it because she’ll be like this for three
months.” I spoke my mind. Digby snorted.
“And you’re an authority on
that are you!” he snapped. Cleo heard this and tried to defend me.
“No Digby, no, don’t say
that dear. Leave Beyancca alone. She’s right, they’ve said three months of
hell!” I looked at Digby.
“You must help her
Digby. Give her all the love you
can.” I said. Digby looked at his girl friend with pain in
his eyes.
“Don’t look at me like that
Digby.” Cleo pleaded. Digby knelt on the grass and laid his head on
Cleo’s shoulder. Cleo’s left leg stuck
out uselessly. Cleo rubbed back against
Digby’s nose.
“I love you Digby, we’ll
get through this.” She said. The Manageress then came back. She stared at us and then lost her temper!
“Digby! Beyancca!
Get out of there!” she screamed.
We ran! We watched what happened
next from a safe distance. The
Manageress knelt down beside Cleo and seemed to turn a nut on the contraption
thing on Cleo’s leg. This made Cleo cry
out in pain! Digby yelled at the
Manageress.
“Can’t you see you’re
hurting her!” he yelled. The Manageress stroked Cleo and produced a
syringe of liquid. She injected it into
Cleo’s shoulder. Digby gasped:
“What the bloody hell’s she
doing now?” I tried to calm him down.
“The Manageress is trying
to help Cleo through her ordeal.” I
said. Digby swore over and over again at
the Manageress. The Manageress stood up
to Digby and slapped him on his rump!
“Don’t ever swear at me like
that again!” she shouted. Digby was crying.
“You say you’re helping
Cleo, then, then you make her cry with pain!
That’s not helping her!” he
whimpered. The Manageress saw the cause
of Digby’s anger. She attempted to
explain what had gone on during Cleo’s operation.
“Look Digby, I’ll put it to
you straight. Cleo’s going to be like
this for a few months yet. Every time
that nut is turned she’ll be in pain.
That’s it. I can give her pain
killers and I’ll do all that I can for her but you must let me do my job. You might feel that it is cruel to put her
through pain. But it’s for the
best.” Digby asked the inevitable
question.
“What’s the
alternative?” The Manageress looked him
in the eye.
“she would be put to
sleep.” She said. Digby almost passed out at the thought!
“Oh! I didn’t know that! I really didn’t realise it was this
serious!” he stammered. The Manageress asked:
“Will you let me do what I
have to? You know if you refuse I’ll do
it anyway.” Cleo fought the
tranquilliser to turn her head and plead with Digby. She said quickly,
“Let, let her do her Job
Digby darling.” Digby switched his
attention from the Manageress to Cleo.
“But you’re in pain.” He said.
“Blame the Field horse!” Cleo replied viciously. Digby took a few paces towards the prostrate
horse. The Manageress stopped him.
“let Cleo recover in
peace.” She said. Digby looked at Cleo.
“Cleo’s the best thing that’s
happened to me.” He murmured. I looked at him.
“Look after her Digby.” I said.
The Manageress checked on Cleo every hour. Cleo became bored very quickly.
Digby and I in the most part stayed with Cleo night and day. Sometimes Jinja helped out. The truth was that Jinja wanted to stay but
Cleo told him that the rest of the herd needed him, and that she was not the
only one. Mac came round once. She found the contraption on Cleo’s leg
interesting.
“What does that thing
do?” Mac asked. We explained about the bone stretching thing.
“Oh right. Is it painful?” Mac asked.
Cleo’s expression told her volumes.
Cleo replied through clenched teeth.
“Every time the Manageress
turns the large red nut I go through the roof!”
Just then the Manageress came to turn the red nut. Cleo watched her approach with visible dread.
“Oh no not again!” she whimpered. The Manageress stroked Cleo for a long
time. She then reached for the hated and
feared red nut. The Manageress turned it
a quarter turn clockwise. Cleo
stiffened, clenched her teeth and shut her eyes tightly! The Manageress hugged her until Cleo
relaxed. Cleo panted as she fought to
keep control of the pain.
“I’m looking forward to the
time this bloody frame comes off!” she
yelled. The Manageress left and Cleo
swore over and over again to get rid of her stress. Mac stared at her.
“Cleo, don’t use those
words.” She said. Cleo smiled at the foal.
“Sorry, but the pain’s
awful.” She replied. Cleo rolled onto her back and thrashed
about. She had to do this because she
couldn’t actually stand. It looked
hilarious, but there was no laughter in any of us. Cleo came to rest and closed her eyes.
“I’m going to sleep.” She said.
Two weeks later Cleo went through the harshest part of any
recovery. This is the midway point. Where you’ve gone through so much but there’s
just as much more to go through ahead of you.
That day Cleo would have given up had it not been for our encouragement
for her to keep going.
That day we woke to rain. Cleo
was soaked through to her skin.
“Yuck! What a mess!”
she fumed. You may ask why the
Manageress kept Cleo out in a field when she could be in a loose box? The reason is this. In a loose box Cleo would be bored and other horses
would not be able to visit her as often as they would, or she would like. Cleo shook herself as best she could.
“What a day to be
immobile.” She fumed. The Manageress came and put up a tent over
Cleo to stop her from getting wetter than she already was. Cleo watched the Manageress’s curious
behaviour.
“Thanks for that.” Cleo said.
The Manageress rubbed Cleo’s nose with her hand. Cleo bashed back as hard as she could.
“All right Cleo!” The Manageress said. Cleo stabilised until the time when she had
to have her red nut turned once more.
The Manageress came over towards Cleo and Cleo rolled away trying to
keep the Manageress from her task. But
the Manageress grabbed Cleo and turned the nut.
Cleo thrashed and squealed with rage and pain!
“I hate you! I hate you all! You’re all scum of the Earth!” She came to rest panting for breath through
Clenched teeth and shaking violently.
Cleo began to cry.
“I can’t stand any more of
this! I want to end it! I wan’a stop now!” she wept.
Digby rubbed his nose against Cleo’s.
“Don’t give up Cleo my
love.” He pleaded.
“Put your anger into getting
better.” I suggested. Cleo relaxed.
“Only three more weeks of
this hell!” she said. I then noticed that the spokes of the
contraption were cutting into her skin.
Blood stained her fur. I looked
at my friend.
“Hang on in there Cleo.” I urged.
Cleo smiled suddenly,
“I will, I will hang on, for
you Digby, for you Beyancca and every other horse. I’m not going to let that Bloody Field horse
get the better of me!” she yelled.
Cleo had suffered pain and torment for seven weeks. The day the frame came off Cleo went to the
vet’s place. But the vet didn’t take the
frame off. I supposed he wanted Cleo to
be free as soon as the frame comes off.
Cleo waited in the field with Digby, Jinja, Mac and myself. The hated frame looked worse than ever. The vet started snapping off the frame. The vet did this with Cleo under light
sedation. Cleo watched the proceedings. She winced from time to time. Soon the frame fell off. Cleo’s cuts from the spokes of the frame were
dressed and the vet made a fuss of her.
Cleo bore this attention pretending that she wasn’t really enjoying
it. But we knew different. The truth was Cleo was lapping it up! The vet roared off in his landrover. Cleo ran about displaying all the energy she
had stored up for seven long and often painful weeks. Digby was so happy that if we hadn’t known
better, we would have thought it was he who had the frame removed that
day. He hugged Cleo and she thought
about returning it. But she was nervous
and shy of showing her true emotions towards Digby in front of Jinja and
myself.
“Show what you feel
Cleo.” Jinja suggested. Cleo’s eyes said all she couldn’t say out
loud to Digby. Digby ran off, Cleo
followed with amazing speed considering her enforced stay in a field. Cleo and Digby splashed into the river and
swam downstream. They played about like
foals. Cleo hadn’t been allowed to stand
on her own four feet for a month and a half.
I walked back to the main yard to talk to one of the newest arrivals in
the yard, and no I’m not talking about Mac.
The horse I mean is stabled next to Ruby. Her name’s Whinny would you believe! She’s all right. I passed her box and saw she was eating
straw. I yelled at her.
“Hey Whinny!” the poor horse jumped a mile and almost fell
out of her box.
“Who? What?
Who are you?” Whinny asked.
“My name’s Beyancca.” I replied.
Whinny looked at me through the masses of hair in front of her
eyes. I wondered how she managed to see
where she was going. Whinny was a grey
horse and had a similar build to Rosie.
I asked her what breed she was.
“Irish Draft.” Whinny replied. Whinny was only one and a half years old, so
she wasn’t fully-grown. I unbolted her
door and Whinny watched me.
“What are you doing? The Manageress will go mad if I get
out!” I smiled at her.
“Whinny dear, it’s not like
that here. The Manageress doesn’t mind
if we walk about. As long as we don’t
destroy the place it’s all right.”
Whinny hesitated:
“I don’t know Beyancca.” She said.
“Come on, don’t be a wet
blanket Whinny.” I urged. Poor Whinny looked out through her mass of
mane at the frightening open space of the yard.
She put one foot in front of the other and came out of her box into the
yard. I left her door open so she could
return to her box if she wanted to. I
walked slowly keeping pace with Whinny.
I wondered why she had been called “Whinny.” I asked her.
“I don’t know really. I was just called Whinny by my first owner
and it’s stuck ever since.” She
explained. We had reached the driving
yard where Jingle, Cleo, Fudge, Domino and Carmen lived. As we turned into it I saw the Manageress
applying some special cream stuff to Fudge’s eye. If you remember in the last but one story
Jinja had said that Fudge had rubbed her eye so much after getting a bit of
dust in it that she had caused it to get sore.
Now Fudge was coming to the end of her treatment. When Whinny saw the Manageress she displayed
the reason why she had been given the name she had. Whinny whinnied in terror and ran back to her
box fearing that the Manageress would come and punish her for escaping. The fact that all the other horses were
wandering about in front of her didn’t seem to occur to Whinny. The Manageress tore off after Whinny, more
out of concern for her than anything else.
This led to a chase developing.
Whinny ran for her life, while the Manageress chased her to stop and
talk with her, nothing more. Whinny was
a heavy horse. If she crashed into you,
you knew it! She was fleeing along the
passage between two boxes when Mac shouted to her to be careful because she was
standing in front of her and couldn’t move to get out of her way! Whinny crashed head long into Mac and fell
over her! Mac was thrown off her feet
and landed on the concrete with Whinny on top of her! The Manageress stared at the two entangled
horses and ran off to get assistance.
Mac had been knocked unconscious by half a tonne of flying muscle and
bone. Whinny had fairly minor injuries
compared to Mac’s. Whinny struggled to
her feet, forgetting that she had crushed Mac and now was treading on her. The Manageress saw this and she did something
that I don’t think she could ever do again.
I think they call it super human strength or something like that. But the Manageress threw Whinny to one side,
totally freeing Mac. One human cannot
lift half a tonne without practise. I
couldn’t imagine the Manageress taking up weight lifting!
The Manageress looked down at the foal lying inert on the concrete. She thought:
“Any moment Domino will come
chasing round to see where Mac’s got to.”
The Manageress worked quickly.
She and a couple of her stable Lads checked Mac over and found only a
very shell-shocked foal. There were a
couple of bruises here and there but nothing serious. But Mac was still out cold. It had been four minutes or more since the
accident and I could see that the Manageress was becoming concerned. Mac was breathing, that was reassuring for
us. The Manageress picked Mac up and
carried her into the barn. She was
looking for a loose box where the occupant of that box wouldn’t mind looking
after Mac. Domino didn’t have a box at
the moment because she was still out in the fields after Mac’s birth. The Manageress laid Mac on the large straw
bale in my box. She then came to inform
me of what she had done.
“Look Beyancca, I’ve put Mac
in with you because,,,” I stopped her.
“I’ll look after her, don’t
worry.” I reassured her. The Manageress put her arms around my neck
and hugged me.
“I know you’ll look after
her Beyancca. You’re a good friend to
Mac aren’t you.” The Manageress said.
“I try my best.” I replied.
The Manageress then went in search of the cause of Mac’s accident. She found Whinny cowering in her box. The Manageress then found she had a
dilemma. Should she reprimand Whinny for
her actions? Or should she try and
reassure her. The Manageress knew that
the root of the problem was that Whinny didn’t understand the workings of the
yard. She decided to give Whinny a
talking to but reassure her at the same time.
“Look Whinny, you’ve got to
be more careful. We have foals walking
round here you know, other horses have to be careful also. You’re not exempt from that.” Whinny protested:
“Do you think I wanted to
crush that foal? If you think I did then
you’re wrong!” she shouted. The Manageress retaliated:
“Don’t you shout at me
Whinny!” Whinny lost her temper and
struck out at the Manageress! The
Manageress just managed to dodge the flying hoof! It missed her head by a fraction of an
inch! She backed off and was stopped by
a massive horse. The Manageress turned
to see Dominic standing behind her.
“I’ll take over from
here.” He said. Dominic strode into Whinny’s box and faced
the furious horse.
“Don’t ever try that
again.” He warned. Whinny did something stupid then. She challenged Dominic to a fight. Dominic’s response was to lift one huge fore
foot and show her his massive hoof.
Whinny didn’t continue her challenge.
The sight of Dominic’s massive hooves put Whinny off trying anything
like attacking him. She was afraid of
getting kicked.
Meanwhile I returned to my box to check on Mac. The foal lay on the straw moaning that her
head hurt.
“shh! Mac, don’t say
anything. Keep your strength for
recovery.” I said softly. Mac rested her head on the straw.
“I feel sick
Beyancca.” Mac whimpered. Domino appeared then. Seeing that her foal was in trouble she
questioned me as to what I had done to her!
I told her sharply that I wasn’t the cause of Mac’s problems. I told Domino about Mac and Whinny’s
meeting. Domino looked at Mac.
“She was knocked out?” she asked.
“Yeah, the Manageress wanted
me to look after her until she was stable.”
I replied. Domino took offence at
this.
“Does the Manageress think
I’m incapable of looking after my foal?”
she asked crossly.
“No, No of course not! The Manageress had to put Mac in a box to
keep her safe. She had to make sure that
the occupant of the box would not be upset by Mac’s presence. As I am a friend of Mac’s the Manageress put
her in my box. You haven’t got a box at
the moment Domino, and the Manageress couldn’t find you.” Domino nuzzled Mac’s shoulder. The foal complained as Domino rubbed against
her bruises. Domino’s eyes filled with
tears as she saw Mac’s pain.
“Sorry Mac darling!” she sobbed.
Mac looked at her mother.
“Whinny did this.” Mac said.
“Who the hell’s Whinny?” Domino asked harshly.
“She’s a new arrival in the
yard. You’ve not heard of her because of
this. I was talking to her and she told
me she was frightened to walk about the yard because she thought the Manageress
might beat her. When I told her this was
not true and that she would be safe Whinny came out with me. All went well until she saw the
Manageress. Whinny fled and crashed into
Mac on route to her box. You know the
rest Domino.” I replied. Domino looked at me.
“Look Beyancca, I, I have to
apologise to you for the way I’ve treated you over the last few weeks.” She stammered. Misty snapped:
“So you have come to your senses and realised
that Beyancca is not the nasty horse you thought she was!” Domino whimpered with misery. Mac struggled painfully off of the straw bale
and stood up.
“I feel like I’ve been
kicked by a horse!” she said. Candy said:
“If that was meant to be a
joke Mac, it was a bad one.”
“Thanks.” Mac replied.
Domino left my box and walked round towards the riding school. Mac and I walked slowly around the yard to
let Mac loosen her stiffened limbs. We
were walking past the covered street where Balugue lived when Mac suddenly
squealed with Surprise!
“There’s a horse lying in the
passage Beyancca!” I stopped and
looked. Sure enough there was a horse
lying in the passage. I walked in to take
a look. Mac was too frightened to
follow. I found one of the Field horses
asleep in the passage between two rows of stalls. When I saw the Field horse I felt fear shoot
through me. The Field horses were
regarded as a traitorous herd without an elected leader or a law. I think the supposed leader of the Field
horses has been written about before.
But I think the term “Field horse” is more a description of the breed
than the temperament of the horse. Well,
it started out like that. Now the term was
used as an insult and struck fear and terror into any horse that came across
one of the Field horses. But here was
one, asleep, harmlessly lying in the passage minding his own business. I’m of a fairly liberal mind and am willing
to give any horse a chance. The problem
we have with the Field horses is that we can’t always understand what they
say. They speak a different language to
us. I tried to communicate with this
one.
“Excuse me! Are you asleep?” I asked.
It was quite obvious to me that he was, but there’s no harm in asking at
least one stupid question, after all it breaks the ice. The Field horse looked up at me and almost
left the country!
“Who, what’s happening! Ay? Oh
no! Who, Who the hell’re you?” he gabbled.
I told him who I was and he scrambled to his feet apologising most
sincerely for lying in my path.
“I’m not royalty you
know.” I said pleasantly. The Field horse looked at me.
“You yard types don’t like
us Field horses much do you.” He said.
“I know some of us have
reservations about certain members of your herd.” I replied.
The Field horse then said something that changed my views instantly.
“Our leader’s a shit!” I was shocked at his language, but I knew
what he meant. I thought:
“Here’s a Field horse who does not like his
leader. Perhaps he’s not been out with
the leader of the Field horses yet. He’s
only young, so perhaps he hasn’t been conditioned to hate the yard horses
yet.” Mac stood back and watched us with
fear and terror! She had heard that the
Field horses had beaten up Cleo. If Cleo
had been beaten up by one of these Field horses and Beyancca was Cleo’s friend,
why would Beyancca be talking to one of these feared and mistrusted
brutes? Mac asked herself this question
and didn’t come to an answer she agreed with.
Mac thought:
“I’m going to tell mum and
Jinja about Beyancca, see what they have to say.”
Meanwhile the Field horse and I chatted a little more.
“Just because one of our
number causes all the trouble here doesn’t mean to say we’re all bad!” the Field horse protested. I thought:
“There he goes again,
defending himself when I haven’t said anything to him.” I tried to reassure the horse.
“Look, I’m not like those
other horses. I’ll give you a
chance.” I told him. Mac was incensed at this!
“Why the hell’s Beyancca
making friends with this Field horse?
She’s got to be working for the other side!” She thought. Mac couldn’t believe what her friend was
doing. She called out to me:
“Hey Beyancca, what’re you
doing talking to that Field horse.
They’re bad, traitorous horses. I
wouldn’t even pass the time of day with one!”
The Field horse looked at Mac. I
saw sadness in his eyes.
“You’re too young to be
saying things like that.” He said. Mac strode boldly up to him and asked him a
question.
“How much did you pay
Beyancca to work for your side?” The
Field horse stared at her in confusion.
“What? Who’s Beyancca?” Mac lost her cool.
“Beyancca’s the horse you’ve
been talking to for the last ten minutes you fool!” The Field horse looked upset.
“What’s this about payment
for work? I’m not evil! I’m not the leader of the Field horses, all
right, I’m the same breed, but that’s all!”
he was almost sobbing, poor fellow!
Mac was unrepentant!
“You’re all
traitorous!” this was obviously a word
she had heard Domino use in connection with the term “Field horse.” The Field horse turned to me.
“What’s this little foal
saying? She shouldn’t be saying things
like that at her age. Why have you told
her that about us?” I replied:
“I haven’t told her
anything. I’m not her mother, Domino
told her all this probably.” I looked at
Mac.
“You’re being breedist
Mac.” I said. Jinja then walked in. He stared at us.
“Why the hell are you two in
here?” he asked angrily. Mac said:
“Beyancca’s been talking to
the Field horses Jinja. I think she’s on
their side.” Jinja turned towards me and
snapped:
“I’ll talk to you
later.” I thought:
“Even Jinja’s tainted with
this breedist attitude.” I felt sick, I
asked myself over and over again why some horses could not accept others from a
different breed to themselves. I think this
sort of thing is going on in human society as well. I think it went on in South Africa a few
years back. I knew that Jinja was
wrong! I liked this Field horse, from
what I could see there was no bad feeling towards me. I am quite clearly not of his breed and he
didn’t try to bite or kick me! I think
that’s worth something. Perhaps it’s
because he is young and I am young, the new generation type of thing. Jinja yelled at the Field horse:
“You’re rotten to the core so
why don’t you sod off!” the Field horse
actually cried. He could not see why
Jinja was being breedist, he was, the Field horse was sure of it. Jinja and Mac walked out with Jinja making
one final comment to me before he left.
“I want to speak to you
about this Beyancca!” I ignored
him. Jinja turned on me then! He whirled round and kicked me so hard that I
ended up sprawling on the floor! The
Field horse yelled at him to stop kicking me but Jinja took no notice. He kicked and beat me until I was exhausted.
“You were once my friend
Jinja!” I thought. But I knew that the friendship was over
now. I had found out that Jinja was a
lot less broad minded than I first thought.
Jinja still kicked and thumped me.
Even Mac had a go once! Jinja
yelled:
“YOU’RE A FIELD BITCH
Beyancca!” I had got to the stage now
where I couldn’t feel the pain of blows raining down on me. I could feel the impact of each kick but
there was no pain any more. I could also
hear the Field horse pleading with Jinja to stop hitting me. I must have blacked out then because I
remember no more.
I regained consciousness in what felt like my box. My sadness was still with me and I burst into
tears.
“How could anyone do
that?” I asked out loud. Someone said:
“Quite easily!” I screamed as Jinja put the hoof in once
more! I felt betrayed. How could a horse that everyone trusted to
the ends of the earth do something like that?
I decided I hated Jinja! I knew
it would hurt him greatly if I told him so, that’s exactly what I did do!
“If you don’t stop doing
this, I hate you, I’ll hate you forever!”
I yelled. Jinja was enraged by my
outburst. He stamped on me again and
again! The Manageress found us
then. She whipped Jinja off me and he
ran off. The Manageress looked down at
me.
“Why did Jinja come
back?” she asked. I told her about the events leading up to my
black out. The Manageress listened and
became angry.
“Why? I know there’s mistrust between the Field
horses and the yard herd. But why can’t
this change? It takes only one horse to
change their views for real change to take place.” I looked at the Manageress.
“I can’t forget what Jinja’s
done.” I said. I struggled to my feet and looked
around. I saw Digby looking at me. He unbolted his door and came towards me.
“I heard you had been
talking to one of the Field horses.” He
said. I nodded:
“Yes, I was talking to
one.” I replied. Digby smiled.
“Carry on talking to
them.” He said. Then I realised why he would say that.
“He’s one himself!” I thought.
I hugged Digby tightly.
“You’re wonderful!” I said.
Digby laughed slightly.
“I try to please.” He said.
I nuzzled his shoulder. Jinja
came back and stared at us.
“I can’t believe what I’m
seeing! I can’t believe I considered
Digby as a friend! He’s a Field
horse!” he yelled. Digby said:
“You’ll see that all Field
horses are not bad Jinja!” Jinja stormed
off in a raging fury.
From that day on Jinja made it quite clear to all that would listen that
I was on the side of the Field horses and that Cleo was about to be married to
one. Domino, Whinny, Misty, Fleur, in
fact all my friends turned against me.
Some friends they are! The only
horses who didn’t turn against me were Cleo, Digby, the Field horse who had
unwittingly started this whole thing off, and Balugue. She stood by me and my friendship with the
Field horse. But unknown to me and the
rest of the horses something was going to take place that would change
everyone’s view on “Field horses.”
The day of the great change dawned clear and bright. The sun was shining and the grass was green,
and I’ll cut the crap and get on with the story, HA! HA! HA! Well, it was a fine day anyway. All the horses were going about their daily
business. I had the usual mountain of
work ahead of me. Two hacks, lungeing,
vaulting etc. By the middle of the day I
was hot and frustrated at the flies that kept invading my eyes and ears!
The time had come for the second hack of the day. There were a total of ten horses going out
today. I recognised Jinja, Balugue,
Fleur, Candy, Digby and Cleo among them.
Then I saw my Field horse friend!
I whinnied at him and he shouted back!
“Hey Beyancca!” He was not shy of showing his liking for me
in front of those who despised him. The
Field horse’s rider had a difficult job to keep control as the horse decided he
would come to see me. We rubbed noses in
front of all that thought it dishonourable for a yard horse to rub noses or
even associate with a Field horse. But
we didn’t care. The hack began. My rider was somewhat less of an expert, why
do I get all the troublemakers? As I was
saying, this rider was less of an expert than he would have liked to consider
himself. I was left to work out my own pace.
“Yeehaa, loap!” I thought.
Pulling out to the right I ran to the front of the ride and sped away
making quite sure that the Manageress saw that her horse had control and that
the rider didn’t have a bloody Clue! I ran
as if my life depended on it! My rider
fell off somewhere back there didn’t he?
I don’t know. What I do know is
that I came to rest without a rider. The
Manageress was picking a human that looked like my rider up off the grass about
fifty yards back. She pointed me out to
the human and he came running over waving his arms in rage! He was shouting!
“You bloody cow
Beyancca! Why did you throw me
off?” The Manageress said:
“Beyancca didn’t throw you,
you fell.” The Man caught up with me and
started smacking me with the riding crop!
I squealed and bucked! I charged
off back to the yard not stopping until I reached my box. I stood on the straw shaking violently and
panting hard! My heart was beating like
a bass drum in my chest and I felt sick!
I lay down in the straw and tried to sleep. I suddenly had an awful feeling that
something dreadful was happening to one of the yard horses. I ran out of my box and fled with the hounds
of hell at my heels! I ran back along
the track to the place where the hacking party was riding by the river. I found them all shouting as Jinja’s rider
along with Jinja was in the river! The
Manageress had given up her usual mount to let another rider take Jinja. She was riding Balugue. Jinja was obviously having problems. The weight and thrashing of the rider was
forcing him to have to swim extra hard to keep his head above water! The bloody human hadn’t got off and attempted
to swim! The Manageress was yelling at
him to do so but he ignored her. So Jinja
was drowning! One time his head went
under for a minute or so as he struggled to get to the bank! I noticed my Field horse friend standing
beside me. He was watching the scene
with disbelief.
“Why doesn’t the human get
off Jinja’s back? If he doesn’t then
Jinja’s going to drown!” he said. I was too horrified to reply.
The next thing I knew was the Field horse plunging into the water after
Jinja! He swam out towards the
floundering horse with powerful strokes that I watched with admiration. Balugue nudged me.
“He’s a bloody marsh
horse!” she hissed. There was an electric buzz in the air rather
like the one when you see the super hero appear in a movie and you know all’s
going to be fine, but part of your mind is telling you that there is still
danger. The Field horse reached Jinja
and his stupid human rider. The Field
horse’s human helped Jinja’s human onto his horse’s back. Then the Field horse turned back and swam to
the bank. Depositing his cargo of two
the Field horse went back in for Jinja who was so exhausted he had given up
swimming and was in imminent danger of drowning. The Field horse took Jinja’s full weight
across his back and raised his head to keep Jinja’s clear of the water. So Jinja was lying half across the Field
horse’s back with his head on the Field
horse’s neck. The Field horse put all
his strength into getting the two of them back safely to the bank. He managed it, PHEW! The Manageress helped the two horses out of
the water.
The Field horse stood shaking violently!
Jinja was by no means free from the affects of the river. The Field horse was suffering psychological
shock. He lay down on the bank and
closed his eyes.
“Oh hell,” he moaned.
I couldn’t really blame him. The
Manageress phoned for a car to come and pick the two humans up, and for a horse
transporter to pick up Jinja and the Field horse. When the transport arrived I made it quite
Clear that I would like to go along with the Field horse. Fortunately for me the horse transporter was
the three horse and not the two horse one.
So two very wet and tired and one fairly fresh horse were loaded into
the transporter lorry and taken back to the yard. When we arrived Jinja and the Field horse
were turned out into a field to dry off.
The Lad turned them out into the same field, lucky Jinja! The two horses walked about for a while and
then faced each other. Jinja wanted to
say something to the Field horse but his pride was stopping him. The Field horse waited quietly for things to
unfold. Balugue came past then and made
a comment that had Jinja spitting with fury!
“That Field horse would
make a good herd leader.” Jinja ran
across to Balugue and snapped at her!
She dodged his teeth and fled back to her street. You see the Field horse didn’t want Jinja to
thank him for saving his bacon, all he wanted was Jinja to apologise for saying
what he did about Field horses. Comments
like:
“Barbaric tribe, illiterate
sons of cows, scum of the turf.” But
Jinja would not retract any of those comments.
Digby passed on his way back to his box, he said:
“You’ll come to your senses
one day Jinja, and when you do you’ll be alone because all the horses will
leave you and go somewhere else.” Digby
was referring to the leadership of the herd in a round about way. The post was technically still open. For since Rosie’s passing Jinja’s been acting
leader. There had to be a proper
election before a new leader could be sworn in to office. I thought it would be a fine thing if a Field
horse was leader of the yard herd.
Jinja’s eyes burned with pathological hatred for the Field horse that
had saved his life.
“I hate you!” Jinja screamed. The Field horse replied:
“Fine, just remember what I
did for you. I knew what you have said,
what you have done in the past to me and my breed. I put all that aside and went in to save your
life because you are a horse. I could
have said:
“Ah well, Jinja’s hated me
all along, so I won’t help him.” But I
didn’t. I know the Field horse leader has done some pretty awful things to you
and your friends, I’m sorry for that.
But I have had nothing to do with that.
Just because I’m the same breed as he is doesn’t mean that I’m like him
in any way. Beyancca saw that. Why can’t you?” he asked.
Jinja stared at the Field horse for a long time. The Field horse added:
“I used to hear that you
were an easy going chap who would accept almost anyone Jinja, well why not
me?” he asked quietly. I saw that Jinja was crying. The Field horse saw this also and made no
comment. But he walked across and hugged
the horse that had said so many awful things about him. Jinja was so overcome with emotion that he
didn’t have the strength to fight the Field horse off. All the Field horse wanted was peace! Jinja rested his head on the Field horse’s
shoulder. He could do nothing else
because he was too weak. The Field horse
supported him and kept him from ending up on the grass. Eventually Jinja recovered enough to stand on
his own. The Field horse looked at his
breed’s old enemy.
“I don’t want conflict
Jinja.” He said. I walked over to the Field horse and hugged
him.
“Oh hi Beyancca.” He said.
I realised I was becoming quite attached to him. Jinja watched this in silence.
“You two are going to stay
together.” He said. This was more for
his own records than the Field horse’s or mine.
We walked out of the field leaving Jinja to reflect on what the Field
horse had said. The Field horse looked
at me.
“It seems funny that we’ve
been friends for ages, but I never told you my name, but I’ve known yours from the start.” He said.
I asked him:
“What is your name?” The field horse looked at me.
“I have a French name, but
that’s too hard to pronounce, and I don’t care for it much. I don’t really know. I only know my French name. You pick one, I’m not fussed.” I thought hard.
“How about Jamie? something
like that?” I suggested. The Field horse nodded.
“Yeah, all right, Jamie
then.” He said. So Jamie and I returned to the place where
our friendship had taken off. The other
Field horses watched us enter the barn.
“Where the hell have you
Been Jamie!” one snapped.
“Oh, let me think. Out on a hack, saving Jinja’s life, mending
the cancer of breedism, cementing my friendship with Beyancca. That sort of thing.”
“Rubbish!” another horse snapped. Jamie looked around him desperately. Now he had made friends with a horse from the
“other side” he would be ousted from the Field horse herd. Jamie was a dissident from now on, an
untrustworthy member of the Field horse breed who was not included in the herd
because he had befriended a yard horse.
I could see the hostility starting.
One of the horses took a pace forwards and kicked out at Jamie. Another spat insultingly in his direction.
“You can leave now
Jamie. Leave with your half breed girl
friend.” One said mockingly. Another said:
“Look Jamie, Beyancca’s not
even a thoroughbred horse, she’s half-caste!
Are you sure you want to pass on to your foals the stigma of being
half-caste horses? In fact they’ll be
third cast, if there is such a word. You
see Jamie, it’s Beyancca, oh what a common name that is, who’s messing it up
for you. But it is she who’s the
half-caste; you can go and find a thoroughbred Field horse to settle down
with. Don’t go with Beyancca!” Jamie looked at me. Another horse added:
“Stay and all will be
fine. We’ll forget this little escapade. Go and we’ll hunt you down and kill
you!” The Field horses were known for
their violent tempers. Jamie hesitated.
“I’m going with
Beyancca.” He said. With that he walked out of the barn never to
return.
Now Jamie and I had a problem. The Manageress didn’t know about our
situation. When she found Jamie out of
his place she would put him straight back in to a dangerous situation, but she
wouldn’t know she had until it was too late!
I had to make sure that the Manageress didn’t accidentally assist one of
her horses to his death. I then realised
I had a big problem with communication.
You see, Rosie had known how to make the Manageress understand her. I had no real means of communication with the
humans. But I decided I could try and
see where I got. I cornered the
Manageress one day. She got annoyed with
me because I wouldn’t let her go back to her work. I stood in front of her every time she tried
to pass me.
“”Why are you acting like
this Beyancca? What’s your problem?” I tried explaining it to her slowly so she
could understand me.
“You know that Field horse
that I’ve been friends with for ages?
Well, don’t, what ever you do put him back with the others. They’ve threatened to kill him if he goes
back.” I said. The Manageress knew horse talk, she had done
for as long as I could remember. She
said:
“So you mean that the other
Field horses have rejected Jamie?”
“Yeah, and they’re being
breedist in the extreme.” I
replied. The Manageress looked across
the yard to where Jamie was returning from a hack. She said:
“But he’s a Field
horse. Other horses won’t like him
amongst them.”
“Well they’ll have to get
used to it won’t they!” I said
forcefully.
“I make the decisions around
here Beyancca!” the Manageress snapped
back. I protested:
“But Jamie’ll die if you
don’t separate him from the rest of the Field horse herd!” The Manageress replied:
“The other horses won’t like
it Beyancca. Jamie’s only one out of I
don’t know how many horses in my care. I
must think of them as well you know, and putting a Field horse in with the yard
horses is not a very good idea. Anyway
the Field horses have done nothing for you yard horses in their lives, why do
you suddenly want one to live in the yard with you?” I replied:
“To answer your first
declaration that the Field horses do nothing to help us yard horses. Jamie saved Jinja only yesterday!” I reminded the Manageress of the events on
the river bank.
“Jamie might have done that
for personal gain Beyancca.” She
said. I was exasperated!
“No! No! He did it because Jinja was in trouble and
needed help! No other horses will go in
the water as readily as a Field horse will they? So Jamie did so, he’s a Field horse. Jamie doesn’t care for the old feud. He wants peace between the two herds. Ask Jinja for his side of the story. But don’t be surprised if you get a very
breedist response from him.” The
Manageress walked off to speak to Jinja.
I followed at a safe distance.
When I reached the barn where Jinja stayed I hid myself down a
passage. I didn’t want the Manageress to
see me snooping around. This is what I
heard.
THE MANAGERESS.
“Well Jinja, what’s this I hear about a Field horse saving your life?”
JINJA.
“I have to admit that he did.”
THE MANAGERESS.
“You do know that now he’s done this for you he’s been isolated from his
own herd don’t you Jinja?”
JINJA.
“No, why?”
THE MANAGERESS.
“The Field horses are not supposed to help the yard herd Jinja!”
JINJA.
“You mean to say that the Field horse would have to live in the yard
with us?”
THE MANAGERESS.
“Yes Jinja, he would.”
JINJA.
“No, I couldn’t have that!”
THE MANAGERESS.
“The alternative is much worse.
The Field horses despise Jamie for saving you Jinja! If you don’t let him in he’ll be killed by
the Field horses!”
JINJA.
“No I couldn’t do that! The other
horses wouldn’t allow it! I’d be the
scum of the herd!”
THE MANAGERESS.
“It sounds as if you already are.”
JINJA.
“What!”
THE MANAGERESS.
“Yes Jinja. The other horses have
seen that Jamie is a decent Field horse.”
The truth was that the Manageress hadn’t spoken to the other horses in
the yard. She had made this last part up
to put pressure on Jinja to let Jamie in.
JINJA.
“No! They’d never say a thing
like that. THEY’D NEVER LET A FIELD
HORSE INTO THE YARD!” he yelled.
THE MANAGERESS.
“Oh yes they would.”
JINJA.
“Over my dead body is that horse coming into the herd!”
THE MANAGERESS.
“You’re breedist then Jinja.”
JINJA.
“Don’t you ever accuse me of being breedist!”
THE MANAGERESS.
“But you are Jinja. We have equal
opportunities you know.”
Jinja then said something unprintable about equal opportunities.
THE MANAGERESS.
“Fine, you think like that Jinja and you’ll no longer be herd
leader.” She turned and walked out of
the barn slamming the door with rage! I slunk back to my box and thought about
what I had overheard.
“Jinja, my friend, a
breedist!” I thought. I couldn’t believe it. The thought made me feel sick! I looked out at the other horses. Candy stared back at me. She said:
“I heard you talking to the
Manageress a few minutes ago. What was
that you said about letting a Field horse into the herd?” I explained Jamie’s and my position. Candy wrinkled her nose at the suggestion.
“No, I can’t see the other
horses accepting it.” Brydy spoke up
then. She said in her broad Irish
accent:
“We’ve got a chance for
peace in Northern Ireland, so why can’t we have peace in the yard also!”
“What are you Brydy,
Catholic or Protestant?” Misty
asked. Brydy became edgy and replied:
“Mind your own bloody business
Misty!” Misty was shocked!
“Now hang on a minute
Brydy,,,,”
“No Misty, I won’t “hang on
a minute.” Religious beliefs are a very
private thing! So are political
beliefs!”
“Are you an I.R.A
sympathiser then Brydy?” Misty
asked. Brydy flipped! She smashed her door and came surging out in
a boiling rage! She put her mouth close
to Misty’s ear and screamed:
“Are you accusing me of
supporting Violence?” Misty dug her hole
even deeper.
“Well you have to be a
supporter of some organisation.” She
said. Brydy went crazy!
“I don’t have to be
anything! I can be neutral, an Irish
citizen, without supporting Violence! I
can’t believe you Misty!” Brydy was
crying. I couldn’t blame her
either. Rosie had told me some of the
problems that the Irish people had to face in the last thirty years. I felt sorry for Brydy. I wanted to hug her, to tell her that all was
going to be fine. But I couldn’t. Brydy stormed off in floods of tears. I felt sick with a grief I couldn’t explain. I went in search of Brydy. Jamie followed me after hearing the uproar.
We found Brydy in the top field.
She was lying on the grass not moving.
We opened the gate and walked across to her. She raised her head as she heard us coming.
“Brydy?” Jamie said.
Brydy looked at Him.
“You’re a field horse aren’t
you?” she said.
“Well, yes I am
Brydy.” Jamie replied. Brydy looked at me.
“You know him
Beyancca?” she asked.
“Yes Brydy, he’s a friend of
mine.” Brydy’s attention sharpened.
“Are you the horse that all
this fuss is about?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m the one.” Jamie replied.
“You’ve been turned out of
your herd haven’t you Jamie?” Brydy saw
Jamie quickly suppress his emotions as her question hit home.
“Yeah, I’ve got a death
sentence hanging over me.” He
replied. Brydy got up and came across to
us. She sidled up to Jamie and hugged
him.
“You have my vote
Jamie.” She said. Jamie nuzzled Brydy’s shoulder.
“Thanks.” He said.
“No problem.” Brydy replied. We walked back to the yard in companionable silence.
The first person we saw on arriving at the yard was Domino. She stared at Jamie and spat! She said:
“There’s a vote tomorrow on
whether this scum can stay in the yard.”
Brydy said:
“Jamie’s got my vote
Domino.” Domino sneered at her.
“What would you know
Brydy? You’re just an old bag of
bones!” Brydy went wild!
“Why do you insult me when
I’ve done nothing to harm you Domino?”
she yelled. Mac raced into view
then.
“I know which way I’m voting
tomorrow!” she said.
“You’re not old enough to
vote.” Brydy pointed out. Domino walked up to her and kicked her!
“Ow! Bitch!”
Brydy yelled.
“The Manageress has said
that all horses who have two brain cells to knock together can vote!” Domino screamed. Brydy said:
“That’ll exclude you then
Domino!” Domino grabbed Brydy’s ear in
her mouth and shook it! Brydy wailed
with pain! What Domino said then was
unprintable. All I can say is it was
intensively insulting to the Irish, and Brydy was unimpressed. Brydy walked back to her box and slammed the
door hard! I returned to my box and lay down on the straw. I was nervous as hell about the coming vote. I started asking myself questions.
“Would the horses accept
Jamie? What would happen to him if they
didn’t? What would I do if they
didn’t? Where would I be this time
tomorrow if the vote went against Jamie?”
I heard Brydy say:
“It’s like the thing in
Ireland here. People campaigning for yes
or no votes.” I felt sick!
That night I couldn’t sleep. My
mind wouldn’t settle down. The questions
of what, where, and what if raced through my mind over and over again. The dawn stole over the yard. Voting was due to start at seven and go on
till ten. All yard horses were required
to be present unless they had a good reason not to be. Seven o’clock came round and I stood in the
queue waiting for instructions from the Manageress.
The voting set up was like this:
A horse had two options after being funnelled into the voting ring. He could either go out the yes or the no
exit. After they had passed through this
point they could not change their mind and go into another section. There was also a section for what the
Manageress called “abstentions” whatever an abstention is. The voting started.
I walked through the “yes” exit and was held in a pen type thing until
all the horses had passed through the voting machine. This took several hours in which I heard some
of the younger horses complaining that they were getting bored. Eventually however the voting finished and
the horses for the yes, no and abstention sections were counted. I can’t remember the exact numbers but I
remember feeling that the “no” vote would win.
Brydy reassured me that it wouldn’t.
Jamie couldn’t vote because he was a Field horse still. Jinja had the job of announcing the results.
“Hard luck if it’s a yes
vote Jinj’.” Brydy thought. Jinja began
to speak:
“The I’s to the right,,,” I
asked Brydy a question.
“What happens to all the abstentions?”
“They are discounted.” She whispered. Jinja said:
“Can I continue? Good, as I was saying, the I’s to the right,
sixteen, the no’s to the left, sixteen!”
I collapsed on the concrete!
Brydy looked down at me.
“Beyancca?” I blurted out:
“What does this mean
Brydy? What’s gonna happen now?” Brydy replied:
“The Manageress will cast a
vote. If it goes against Jamie then
he’ll have to go, but if it goes in his favour then he’ll stay.” The Manageress walked about for a while. Really it was up to her if Jamie stayed or
went, it was her yard. She walked into
the “yes” pen. Jinja was furious!
“How could you, how could
you do this!” he shouted. Jinja stormed off the platform thing he had
been standing on and barged through the crowd of horses. He trampled some of the younger ones under
foot as he passed. Jinja charged into
his barn and slammed the door.
“He’s a very sad horse.” Brydy remarked. The Manageress looked at her.
“He’s got a lot to learn
Brydy.” She said. So Jamie was allowed to stay. Jinja was furious with the Manageress for
casting her vote in Jamie’s favour. I
was delighted with the result and couldn’t think what to do next. I picked myself up off the concrete and went
in search of Jamie. I found him
nervously waiting in the barn.
“I feel almost too sick with
nerves to ask you how it went!” he
said. I smiled at him.
“Welcome home.” I said.
“What? You mean I can, I can stay?” he asked.
“Yes Jamie, you can stay my
dear.” Jamie hugged me.
“Thanks Beyancca!” he said.
I replied:
“It’s not just me you should
be thanking, there’s Balugue, Brydy, Digby, Cleo, the Manageress, and many
others.” Jamie looked around him.
“I would love to live here,
with you.” He said.
“You mean share a box?” I asked.
Jamie looked away. I started to
say:
“Well I don’t know Jamie you
see,,,” Jamie interrupted me:
“No Beyancca I shouldn’t have
asked it.” He said. I held up a hoof to stop him.
“I was going to say, if
you’d let me finish, that there might not be enough room in my box for the two
of us. I’m not small you know.” I said.
Jamie hugged me again.
“Let’s go for a walk
Beyancca. Let’s forget this for a
bit.” Jamie suggested. So that was exactly what we did. Jamie and I walked out of the yard and down
towards the river. We wandered about for a while enjoying the countryside. Jamie then said something that brought tears
to my eyes.
“I’m free Beyancca.” I then realised how much Freedom we yard
horses had compared to the Field horses.
You see the Field horses had no elected leader, or have I already told
you that? I can’t remember. Oh forget it.
Well because they have no leader and no laws the members of the herd
never knew when they were going wrong.
Because they didn’t know what was right and what was wrong their
supposed leaders could abuse them. That was how the leader of the Field horses
got so much power. We yard horses on
the other hand with laws and leaders, we
knew where each of us stood. We had
freedom in that sense where the Field horses had none. I didn’t know it then but we were due for a
change of leader very soon indeed.
A few days later Brydy told me that Jinja was thinking of resigning as
acting leader of the herd. I wasn’t
surprised really considering his opposition to the herd’s acceptance of a Field
horse into there midst. Sure enough the
news was broadcast formally on the local B.B.C radio station. I couldn’t work out why the B.B.C took such a
keen interest in us. Surely the greater
population of Suffolk wouldn’t be interested in a herd of horses having an
election would they? Well the B.B.C
seemed to think they would. We had
reporters swarming around the yard. They
were interviewing everyone! The
Manageress, Jinja, Jamie, Jingle, Brydy, Digby, even I got roped into it
once. I’ve never been so nervous in my
life! This reporter from the most
respected broadcasting organisation in the world stood in front of me with what
looked like a huge sausage on a stick! I
stared at the reporter.
“What do you expect me to do
with that thing?” I indicated the
sausage. The human looked dumbly back at
me. I looked desperately around me
trying to find the Manageress for translation purposes. I saw her standing looking at the
mayhem. I called over to her:
“Come over here a minute
will you! I need a translator!” She came over and translated what I said into
English from horse talk. My interview
over, I thanked the Manageress and walked off to find something else to occupy
me. I was passing the riding school
where there were yet more reporters interviewing horses. Domino was standing by the door looking very
hacked off!
“I wish these bloody reporters
would go away!” she said. Domino looked around her.
“Have you seen Mac
today?” she asked. When I admitted that I hadn’t, Domino charged
off in pursuit of her foal. These
reporters were full of questions.
“How did the election come
about? Is it true that there is a Field
horse in the yard herd now? Who do you
think will take Jinja’s place when he steps down? Is it true that you haven’t had a proper
leader since Rosie passed away? Is there
any truth in the stories coming out of the yard that Rosie was Re-incarnated?” This last question was answered differently
by each horse according to his or her beliefs.
Eventually the reporters left and the yard settled down to normality again,
that is if you can call any day in the yard normal.
The election was held on a Thursday in June. The voting system was much the same as it was
for the vote that decided Jamie’s future.
The main candidates were as follows.
I don’t think you’ve heard of half of these horses but here goes.
Cleo,
Jamie,
Digby,
Jingle,
Balugue,
Fudge
All right, perhaps you have heard of them, but I only got the list about
a minute ago! I don’t know! The typist is saying he’ll “delete” some of
the words, whatever “delete” means. Oh
well, it seems he’s not going to.
“Drop me right in it won’t
you!” Humans! Who’d have them! Enough of that, I’m bored.
The candidates for the post of “Leader of the herd” had to be voted for
by a majority of the horses eligible to vote.
No horse could vote twice. If
there was an even number of horses voting for two candidates then the
Manageress would have her casting vote.
The voting started. I must add
that Balugue had been talked into it. I
think Jinja had said that she would never stand for the post of leader because
of her run in with Rosie some years back.
But she was talked into it and I think she’d make quite a good
leader. I can’t say whom I’m voting for,
confidential you know. I walked through
the gate of the Candidate who I thought would make the best leader. The horses in the holding pen watched me
go. The vote was done. The votes were now counted. The winner was not known until the late
afternoon. The Manageress called a
meeting of all the horses. She announced
that from now on Balugue would be leader of the herd.
So Balugue had gone and done it.
She had taken a chance and had won the post. It was clear that a majority of the horses in
the yard wished that Balugue should be leader.
I can tell you now that I voted for Balugue. There was another thing to be happy
about. In fact Brydy was screaming with
delight and dancing about. When I asked
her what she was excited about she said something about the being a “yes” vote
in the Irish referendum. Brydy ran up
and down the barn screaming and yelling.
She ran into the riding school.
She collared Whinny and yelled at her.
“The vote was “yes!”” Whinny
looked dumbly back at Brydy.
“What the hell are you going
on about?” she asked. Brydy shook her hoof at Whinny.
“You’re stupid Whinny! I mean the Irish peace referendum! You know, they were voting whether to accept
the peace agreement!” Brydy said. Whinny stared at her.
“What’s it got to do with
me?” she asked. Brydy replied:
“It’s your future
Whinny!” Whinny said:
“This is England not Ireland
Brydy.” Brydy looked towards the
door. She fled out into the
sunlight-leaving Whinny alone in the riding school. Brydy skipped along towards my box.
“Hey Beyancca, let’s
celebrate!” she yelled. I hugged her and Brydy bashed me with her nose.”
“All right Brydy! Let’s take it slowly.” I said.
Brydy almost cried with joy.
“We have a chance of peace
in Ireland!” she yelled. Balugue came around to see us.
“You’re in high spirits
Brydy.” She said.
“Yeah, I can’t contain my
elation at the news!” Brydy
replied. Soon all the horses knew about
the “yes” vote. Brydy wouldn’t shut up
about it. Jamie and I settled down that
night in my box. Jamie stretched out in
a straw bale beside me.
“I’m a member of the yard herd
now.” He murmured. I stretched out my nose and touched his.
“Yes Jamie my love you are
certainly that.” I said. We slept for a long time. The night, which followed, held for me the
best sleep I had for ages. I awoke with
the sun. It rose over the yard bright
and warm. The light filtered into the
barn through the skylights in the roof of the barn. No other horse was awake and there was
absolute silence. I quietly opened my
door and left my box. I crept along to
where I knew Crofter’s box to be. He
hated to be disturbed while sleeping.
The day before, Polo the yard dog and I had hatched a plan to frighten
Crofter. He was too moody for our
liking. We felt he needed a bit of a
shock to bring him to his senses. Polo
got hold of one of those old fashioned alarm clocks with the bells on the
top. You know the ones don’t you? The ones that your Grandparents always seem
to have in the top cupboard and you used to spend hours making it ring
non-stop. Well Polo got hold of one of
these and managed to set it so it was primed to go off! I took this mechanical time bomb along to
Crofter’s box. Opened his door, placed
the alarm clock inside the door right next to his ear and re-bolted the
door. I walked away and waited for
developments. Polo was waiting around
the corner. He fell about with laughter
when he realised that I had managed to plant the device without Crofter
noticing. This was a once in a lifetime
chance. If it didn’t work now it would
never work! The clock ticked loudly and
I felt sure that Crofter would notice it.
But he slept on oblivious to his fait.
“What’s it set for?” I asked quietly.
“Five o’clock.” Polo replied.
“What’s the time now?” I asked.
“Two minutes to five. I set it by the stable clock.” Polo replied.
We waited, and waited. Polo
watched the hands of the stable clock anxiously.
“Thirty seconds.” He whispered.
We waited, not breathing for fear of waking our victim. The clock ticked ominously.
“Tick, Toc, tick Toc, tick,,,”
Polo moved restlessly. Then,,,,,,
The most amazing sound came from the clock! It was better than we could ever have dreamed
of! The bell was louder than we could
ever have hoped for! Best of all it had
the desired affect. Crofter screamed and
leapt in the air! He shrieked with
terror!
“What the bloody hell’s
that!” He stood shaking violently! Polo and I rolled on the concrete laughing
helplessly. Crofter managed to get his
hoof under the clock and chip the offending object into the air so it smashed
against the wall. It hit the wall with a
“CRUNCH!” The clock stopped
ringing. Crofter was furious! He couldn’t open his door to get out because
the Manageress had put a grill over it.
I think Jinja explained why in the previous story, or was it the one
before that, I don’t know. Well because
of this grill he couldn’t open his door to get at us. We took full advantage of this and teased him
rotten.
“Get woken up did we
Crofter?” Polo asked. Crofter glared at him through the bars.
“Polo and you Beyancca! I never thought it could be true. Maybe Polo and Mac but not you Beyancca! You should know better!” he yelled.
By this time all the horses were awake.
They had been woken by the alarm.
Some were yelling:
“FIRE!” Because the stable
fire bell sounds like one of those alarm clocks. Ruby stuck her head out of her box and looked
at me.
“What possessed you
Beyancca?” she asked.
“I wanted to show Crofter a
thing or two.” I replied. Crofter spat:
“Yeah a thing or two about getting the crap
scared out of you!” he said. The Manageress came running at the sound of
equine protestation.
“What’s going on here?” she asked crossly. She whipped round on me and yelled into my
face!
“What the bloody hell’s
this!” I looked dumbly back at her,
pretending that I had no idea of what happened, and had no part in it. Ruby blew the whistle on me.
“She was the one! She woke Crofter up with that fire
bell!” The Manageress asked Crofter about
it.
“Yeah, that’s it.” He said pointing out the smashed remains of
the alarm clock. The Manageress wasn’t
impressed!
“I wondered where that had
got to. How did you get hold of
it?” Then her eye fell on Polo.
“You stole it from the house
didn’t you?” she asked. Polo couldn’t deny it. The Manageress was upset about the loss of
her old clock, but at the same time she saw the funny side of the
situation. She found it amusing that a
dog and a horse could conspire together to pull off a stunt like Polo and I had
done. A few hours afterwards I heard her
laughing about it with the other instructors.
But Ruby, Crofter, Whinny and Misty were not happy horses. They made quite sure that Polo knew he had
done wrong. They wouldn’t talk to him
and would give him dirty looks whenever they had the chance. As for me, my fait was worse. They took physical revenge on me. I received more blows on my fetlocks from the
hooves of angry horses that day than I care to remember. Every time Misty, Crofter, Ruby or Whinny
came within kicking distance of me they would attempt it. At midday however the Manageress had had
enough and produced the most feared piece of equipment she owned. The lungeing whip came out and was shown to
each of the offending horses. Then the
Manageress cracked it over one of the stable doors. It landed with a spine tingling “CRACK!” The offenders didn’t attempt to kick me
again.
You may be asking if there were any horses in favour of our little
prank. Well, yes there were a few who
thought the same as Polo and myself, or thought it would just be a hilarious
sight to see Crofter jump a mile. Those
horses were Brydy, Fleur, Chantilly, Digby, and any others I haven’t mentioned. When the Alarm went off the horses in the barn
were jerked from sleep but calmed down when they realised what was going
on. Brydy turned towards Fleur and said:
“Crofter’s getting one hell
of a wake up call.” Fleur still drugged
with sleep replied:
“What? Yeah, I suppose he is.” With that she closed her eyes and fell
asleep. Brydy stared at Fleur.
“I don’t know how you manage
it Fleur, I really don’t. She’ll sleep
through anything! You’d need an
earthquake to wake her!” she
thought. Brydy looked at the shattered wood
around the repairs made to her door.
“I hope there’s
peace.” She whispered. Candy looked at Brydy.
“What was that?” she enquired.
“Oh nothing Candy.” Brydy replied. This didn’t deter Candy.
“You pray for peace don’t you
Brydy?” Brydy opened her mouth to defend
herself. Candy held up a hoof to stop
her.
“Hang on a bit Brydy,
there’s no problem with that.” Candy
said. Brydy smiled at her.
“You really believe
that?” she asked hopefully.
“Why yeah, there’s no
problem with prayer.” A huge cloud
lifted from Brydy’s life then.
“I’m not alone! I’m not mad!
There are other horses that have religious beliefs!” she thought.
Brydy opened her door and walked out into the barn. Fleur had woken up by now and she joined
her. Brydy and Fleur walked round to the
riding school to see what was going on.
They found Crofter and myself working in the indoor school. Well I say working, Crofter was attempting to
bite me at every opportunity. He felt
bitter resentment towards me for my part in the practical joke played on
him. The Manageress was attempting to
teach a Western lesson while Crofter and I had our little disagreement. She became very short tempered with both of
us and frequently threatened us with the whip.
This fuelled crofter’s anger! He
took his fear of the whip out on me! He
charged at me from time to time causing me to back off and swerve alarmingly to
keep out of range of his teeth, or even worse, his hooves! So the Manageress’s prediction that the rider
would get a steady ride on me flew straight out of the window as I fought to
save myself from Crofter’s boiling rage!
Crofter even attempted to kick me in the stomach! He slid in and then kicked viciously
upwards! I reared in an attempt to avoid
the sharp blade like hoof! Crofter
yelled insults at me as he missed his target.
My rider on the other hand was less lucky. She was thrown off as I reared. The Manageress swore under her breath at
Crofter. She then hit the panic button for
assistance. This had been installed
after the health and safety executive, whatever one of those is, had suggested
it. This button was to be used if a
rider or horse got into an emergency situation.
Instructors poured into the school from all directions. They helped the Manageress to deal with a
human who was only shocked by her fall, Crofter who was apoplectic with rage
and me of course. My state of mind was
not worth thinking about, if that’s at all possible. I was led back to my box quivering with
fright! As soon as the instructor took
my bridle off my legs crumpled under me.
I hit the straw with a “CRASH!
The instructor ran out in panic!
“Beyancca’s just
collapsed!” she screamed. This brought the Manageress and several other
people into my box. I saw the vet, the
Farrier, who had been shoeing horses when the instructor had yelled for
assistance, and, another person who couldn’t be of any real physical assistance
at all. This person was Rosie’s old
rider. Yes, the man with the problem we
couldn’t identify. Then I remembered it
was a Monday!
“I’m meant to be working
with him in a minute!” I thought. The vet checked me out for physical soundness
and pronounced me fit.
“Fit for nothing.” I thought.
All the humans left except the human with the problem. He knelt down beside me and stroked my ears.
“Come on Beyancca, talk to
me.” He said gently. I took a deep breath to steady myself. I told him everything, right down to the
lesson I had just that minute come from.
The human stroked me some more and told me to get up. I struggled to my feet and rested my head on
his shoulder. The human stroked my nose
with a fore finger. That felt
wonderful! I rubbed my cheek against his
shoulder enthusiastically.
“Got you back to rights
then.” He said. I pricked my ears and thumped his arm with my
nose.
“Thanks a lot!” I said.
“No problem.” He replied.
The Manageress came round to check on me, and to rescue my human friend.
“How’s Beyancca doing
now?” she asked.
“All right now I
think.” The human replied. The Manageress stroked my ears and thought
for a bit.
“I think you’d better ride
another horse, let Beyancca rest a while after that.” I was furious!
“What! How can you say that? I’m fine!”
I yelled. I backed this up by
hugging my human friend tightly, making sure that the Manageress could have no
doubt as to my feelings. The Manageress
laughed:
“I think she wants to work
anyway.” She said. So I was tacked up and led out into the
yard. My rider jumped onto my back and I
waited patiently for further instructions.
I had several things to think about when working with this particular
human. You see for some unexplainable
reason he wouldn’t tell me where walls, jumps, corners etc were. So I had to work it out for myself. This was no problem, but I had to learn a lot
in a short period of time. Rosie had
told me how to treat this human. But
now, I was at a loss.
“What was I meant to do
now?” I asked myself. I thought:
“I’ll go and talk to Rosie,
she’ll,,,” Then I realised with a horrible stomach churning lurch that I
couldn’t ask Rosie! That thought sobered
me up I can tell you!
“I’m on my own!” I thought.
Then the panic subsided and I began to remember what I had done in the
riding school before this. The human had
ridden me before, what did I do then?
Then it came to me!
“Watch what the others did,
then copy them, if the human didn’t wish me to do the same he would tell
me! That was it! Also look out for banks, ditches, etc that
might cause a problem. Basically don’t
get myself into danger! Simple
rules!” This final leap of thought had
me looking forward to, not dreading the hack!
I almost danced!
“Hang on Beyancca!” the human said. I stopped!
“Oh, of course, all four
feet flat on the floor, no dancing!” I
thought. The human patted my neck.
“Wow! That’s wonderful!” I thought.
There were two other horses on this hack. These were Candy, who was carrying the
Manageress and Emmie; who carried another female human. We walked out of the yard.
“All right Beyancca,
concentrate now.” I told myself. Then I thought:
“I feel sick with
fear!” The human, feeling a change in my
pace, patted my neck to settle me.
“Right, calm down
Beyancca! Don’t worry, if you do the
humans will notice.” I told myself. My mouth was dry. I chewed my tongue for a bit to moisten
it. Fear was uppermost in my mind.
“If I screw up he’ll never
ride me again!” I thought. Then Candy started making light conversation,
I remember wishing she wouldn’t.
“All right Beyancca?” I thought:
“No! Now shut up!
I’m concentrating!” Candy noticed
my reluctance to talk and tried to encourage me to.
“Hey Beyancca, what way did
the Irish vote go?” She knew perfectly
well which way it went. If she didn’t
then she must have been on the moon, Brydy was screaming and yelling about it
all yesterday and the day before! I ground
my teeth together as my frustration grew!
It suddenly blew up in Candy’s face!
“Leave me alone
Candy!” I yelled. Candy snorted with anger.
“You always brush me
off!” she wailed. I lost my cool and said things about my rider
that I instantly regretted.
“Look Candy, you haven’t
got some bloody human with a problem on your back! Just shut up and let me get on with my
job!” I yelled. Then it hit home what I had said.
“I didn’t mean it!” I said.
We walked further from the yard.
I felt a huge weight on my mind.
I knew it was the thought of that human on my back. I shook my head and swallowed hard, trying to
dispel my fears. The human seemed to
realise there was something wrong because he patted my neck. I settled down into a feeling of total doomed
failure. I must say that those first
five minutes were the worst I had known for a long time. My lack of confidence stopped me from
enjoying what should have been the most pleasurable part of my working
day. We turned onto a field and
accelerated to a jog.
“If he asks me to loap I’ll
go crazy!” I thought. I shot a look at the other two horses. Emmie was going fine and so was Candy. The Manageress said:
“Time for a loap I
think.” I thought and said:
“Oh please no!” Candy stopped dead!
“What was that I heard you
say?” she enquired.
“I don’t wan’a loap Candy,
I can’t.” I replied.
“Why not?” Candy asked.
I swallowed hard.
“I’m worried about my
rider, you see, what if I push him too hard?”
Candy replied sharply,
“If he hears you say that
he’ll clip you round the ear mate!” I
was shocked!
“What?” Candy replied:
“He’s ridden Fleur without
any trouble. She’s loped with him on her
back Beyancca! If he can work with Fleur
and survive, I’m sure he can work with you.
Come on Beyancca! Give it a
go!” Candy urged.
“All right, I’ll try.” I said.
Candy rubbed her nose against mine.
“That’s better. What were you on about?” she said.
I replied:
“Ask me that when it’s
over.” I gulped and set off. During all this the humans had waited
patiently. My insides were Jelly as I
felt the human on my back giving me the “loap now” command. I tried to loap and tripped!
“Oh hell!” I thought.
Then another command, another attempt, got it this time!” The loap settled down into its usual easy
rhythm. We went up the hill and then my
rider reigned me to a jog, then a walk, then to a halt. What a relief that was! My rider made a huge fuss of me. He obviously heard Candy’s conversation and
mine and understood every word. I
thought:
“If he’s understood every
word I’ll be clipped round the ear!” I
hoped the human would let it pass.
Clopping across a road we entered another field and jogged down it’s
shorter side. Turning right I was given
the “loap” command once more. This time I managed not to trip over my own
feet. The breeze got up then. It felt as if I were flying! For a few seconds I thought that if I closed
my eyes I could almost believe I were. I
decided on reflection that it wasn’t such a good idea and stopped myself.
“That’s the foal in me
taking over.” I thought. We slowed to a jog and then to a walk. My feeling of doomed failure had
evaporated. I now felt like the young
horse I was meant to be. I raised my
head and Whinnied with joy!
“Feeling the joys of spring
are we Beyancca?” Emmie asked.
“It’s summer.” Candy pointed out.
“Oh yeah.” Emmie replied.
“Stupid horse!” Candy teased.
Emmie took the bait beautifully.
“I make one mistake and
you’re on to me Candy!” She snapped.
“Only joking Emmie
dear.” Candy reassured her. We walked on.
Eventually we reached the field where we were allowed to stop for a few
minutes to eat grass. I mean we horses
ate grass, the humans didn’t. Then Emmie
made a comment that will stay with me forever.
“Do you realise Beyancca
that you have that man’s life in your control.”
I jerked my head up from where I had been contentedly munching on a
particularly sweet patch of grass.
“You what?” I asked.
“You’ve got his life in your
control. If you did something stupid he
could bail off, in fact he’s trained to.
But he wouldn’t know what he was bailing off into. So you’ve got to make sure that you don’t get
yourself into trouble. You see
now?” I did see, and it wasn’t a
pleasant thought.
“A human’s life in my
control, oh Beyancca, what a responsibility you have.” I thought.
I looked down at the grass that I had been munching on quite happily
only a minute ago. Now it seemed
unappetising and the thought of food made me feel ill. My rider noticed my lack of enthusiasm for
grass.
“Why aren’t you eating
Beyancca?” he asked.
“Don’t want to.” I replied.
The old fears came flooding back.
I couldn’t look on working with this human in the same light ever
again. I followed the other horses back
to the yard thinking all the while about Emmie’s words.
“His life is in your
control, his life is in your control, his life is,,,” It went round and round in my mind until I
was sick of it! I kept my emotions in
check until the man had disappeared from the yard for another week, then I kicked
my door until it split in half! Misty
looked at me.
“What’s the matter with
you?” she asked. I told her.
“Both Fleur and Rosie had
that to deal with and you never heard them complain once Beyancca.” Misty replied. Mac came into view then. She threw her two pence worth into the
conversation.
“Rosie was used to it and
Fleur was too stupid to realise it.” She
said. Fleur, who by now was back in her
box, yelled abuse at Mac.
“I’ll kill you! I’m not stupid! You’re a pain in the bum!” Fleur smashed her door off its hinges. Mac was unrepentant.
“That was why he stopped
working with you Fleur, you were too stupid!”
Fleur started crying. She
suddenly burst out of her box and ran at Mac.
Mac, thinking that this was some sort of game, mocked her! Fleur went mad! She booted Mac out of the barn, literally!
Mac yelled in terror!
“Mum! Fleur’s gonna kill me mum!” Domino hearing her foals shouts came flying
into view with all her protective instincts firing! She knocked Fleur off her feet! Fleur crashed onto the concrete and Domino
towered over her!
“What the bloody hell do you
think you were doing!” she yelled. Fleur looked up into Domino’s blazing eyes.
“She said I was stupid
Domino! She said I was too stupid to
work with Beyancca’s rider! She said
that I had no idea of the responsibility I had when working with him! She said that I was too stupid and that Rosie
was used to it! I’m not stupid Domino,
I’m not!” someone said:
“Could have fooled me!” Both Domino and Fleur stared at who had
spoken. The huge form of Dominic stood
in the entrance to the barn almost blocking out the light! Fleur thought:
“Dominic’s Mac’s
brother!” she had forgotten that, I
think we all had. Dominic took over from
his mother and interrogated Fleur even further.
“You never try that again
Fleur! If you do you’ll be beaten flat
and punched into the earth! You hear
me!” Fleur was sobbing.
“Yes Dominic, I hear
you. Don’t hit me!” she pleaded.
Dominic was waving a massive fore foot in front of her eyes.
“You’re a Cow!” Dominic yelled. For a horse to be branded a “cow” was a grave
insult. Fleur bared her teeth in one
more defiant stand against the huge horse.
Dominic rested his huge fore foot on Fleur’s nose. Fleur screamed in terror!
“Don’t crush me!” Dominic replied:
“Leave my sister
alone!” He released Fleur and she fled
back into her box.
Mac looked at Dominic.
“Did you say I was your
sister?” she asked.
“Yes Mac dear I did.” Dominic replied.
“How did you get that big
then?” Mac asked. Dominic laughed.
“Lots of hard work Mac
dear.” He said. Mac said:
“I’ll feel a lot safer with
you around.” Dominic smiled down at his
little sister. Well, against Dominic Mac
was a scrap of life! He towered over her
making her look smaller than ever!
Dominic was too large for the Manageress to accurately measure! Even she had problems controlling him! Fortunately for her Dominic was a good
worker. He nearly always listened to
commands. I thought then that Dominic
knew his place in the herd and his place in the yard. Domino, Mac and Dominic returned to their
field. I understand that Domino did give
Mac a good talking to. Tore a strip off
her in fact. Mac was made to apologise
to Fleur for what she had said. Fleur
looked around nervously for Dominic as Mac spoke to her. Dominic got himself a reputation for dealing
out brutal justice. The time was not
long in coming when Dominic would have the law laid down to him.
Jamie and I were quietly eating grass in a field about three weeks later
when Jinja came past. He stopped when
Jamie called over to him.
“Yeah what Field
horse?” Jinja replied.
“A chat, to pass the time of
day, nothing else.” Jamie said. Jinja spat!
“What would the other
horses think if I was to be seen talking to you Field horse?” he asked.
“They’d think you’d changed
your tune Jinja, and the name’s Jamie.”
Jamie replied. Jinja jumped the
fence and came across to us.
“Let’s see what you’re really
like then Field horse, oh I’m sorry, Jamie.”
He said. Jinja looked Jamie up
and down. He took him in from his
forelock to his fetlocks. Jinja seemed
to be making up his mind whether to accept this Field horse. He looked at me. I stared back giving him nothing.
“I want you to like him by
yourself.” I said. By that I meant that he had to make his own
mind up. I wasn’t going to try and swing
him one way or the other.
“Can you swallow your old
prejudice and start afresh Jinja?” Jamie
asked. Jinja looked down at his
hooves. I realised he was trying to
conceal the fact he was crying.
“Sorry Jamie, that’s all I
can say.” He said. Jamie walked over to Jinja and hugged him.
“That’s all right Jinja
mate.” He said. Jinja replied:
“I never thanked you for
saving my life.” Jamie nuzzled his
new-found friend’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to thank
me for that Jinja. The biggest thank you
I had was when you accepted me.” Jamie
said. Jinja broke down once more. Yes he had voted against having Jamie in the
herd at the referendum. But now he was
having a change of opinion. Jinja
unknown to either Jamie or myself was watching us. He had seen the way we had interacted. He had seen how happy we were together. He had also weighed up that with the near
certainty that Jamie would now be dead had the herd not voted “yes.” Jinja had become quite fond of Jamie.
Now he was chatting with Jamie and myself. I was telling Jinja and Jamie about the hack
described above. At the mention of Rosie
Jinja became suddenly silent. He said:
“Why did they take her
away?” Tears rolled down Jinja’s
nose. Jamie hugged his friend.
“Rosie wouldn’t want you to
cry, would she Jinja.” he said. “No, I suppose she wouldn’t.” Jinja sobbed.
I then told them about Mac’s comments to Fleur, and Fleur’s outburst and
subsequent run in with Domino, and then Dominic. Jinja dried his eyes. He sniffed:
“Fabulous for her I don’t
think.” He said. Suddenly someone said:
“Yes it must have been, and
what are you doing talking to a Field horse Jinja? You voted against Jamie, remember that
Jinja?” Jinja turned to see Dominic
standing behind him.
“Oh hi Dominic, what can I
do for you?” he asked airily. Dominic was spitting with rage!
“What the bloody hell do you
think you are doing talking to a Field horse when you voted against having him
in the herd?” Dominic asked harshly.
“I was passing the time of
day, finding out the news, in fact Beyancca was telling us about a hack she
went on today, wasn’t she Jamie?” Jinja
replied. I knew what he was doing, and
so did Jamie. Jinja was playing for
time, because he knew as well as Jamie and I knew that Dominic’s interrogations
always
ended in
violence. Jinja was going to get laid
out on the grass for his change of heart.
Jamie wasn’t going to let Dominic do it however. He watched the huge horse carefully. All his lessons from the Field horses about
the best way to fight larger horses came back to him. He was looking for Dominic’s weakness. The problem was that he could not find it
until Dominic actually hit Jinja, and Jamie didn’t want that! He knew that one blow in the right place
could kill Jinja! He felt sure that
Dominic knew that place, Jamie did. He
knew that he would have to kill Dominic or risk the lives of his friend,
himself and possibly his future wife.
Yes even I was not safe from Dominic’s hooves! Dominic stared into Jinja’s eyes.
“You have a choice
Jinja.” He said.
“And what’s that?” Jinja asked coolly. He knew his life was in serious danger.
“Which ear the hoof comes
in!” Dominic replied. Suddenly there was a shout from near the
gate!
“Dominic! You kill Jinja and I’ll hate you
forever!” Dominic took his attention
from Jinja for one second, Jamie struck!
He flew at the larger horse and missed his intended target on Dominic’s
body. The two horses rolled on the grass
biting and kicking each other. I yelled:
“Be careful Jamie! Dominic’s never been beaten! Have a go by all means but don’t get yourself
killed!” I watched their match with
growing alarm! Jinja swore viciously over
and over again! Dominic was tiring. He wasn’t used to a challenge. His fights had always been short sharp affairs. His biggest match had been the self
proclaimed “leader of the Field horses.”
Even he had only lasted a few minutes before Dominic had overpowered
him. But now Jamie was overpowering
Dominic himself. Jamie had beaten the
life out of a horse twice his size.
Dominic lay motionless on the grass.
Domino and Mac had joined us. In
fact it was Mac who had led Dominic to his demise. I hoped no one would ever tell her that. Domino looked down at her Son. The Manageress turned up then, she had been
alerted to the fight by Dominic’s yelps of pain. Strangely neither Jinja nor I had heard
them. We were too horrified to
hear. The Manageress knelt beside
Dominic and looked into his eyes. They
were opaque and lifeless. Dominic was
dead! The Manageress’s shock was
evident!
“How? Why?
Who?” All those questions were
fired at us. We explained all the
circumstances leading up to Dominic’s death.
“You mean to say that
Dominic would have killed Jinja?” she
asked.
“Yes, I’m afraid so.” I replied.
Jamie was flat out on the grass, exhausted by his effort. I don’t think he knew at that moment what he
had done. The Manageress said:
“First Rosie, then Clover,
and now Dominic! Will the sadness ever
end?” I rubbed her shoulder with my nose.
“It will, this will be the
last one.” I assured her. But I couldn’t be sure, I hoped that was the
case. Jinja stared at Dominic’s body.
“It could have been me.” He whispered.
Domino punched him in the nose!
“You don’t care do you
Jinja!” she screamed. Jinja replied:
“Yes, Domino, I do, I really
do! I wouldn’t wish anyone dead. ?But Dominic was out to kill me! He would have done so if Jamie hadn’t saved
me.” Domino had tears rolling down her
nose. She suddenly grabbed the
Manageress by her coat and dragged her across the grass!
“You’ve let this
happen! Why did you let that bloody
Field horse Kill my Son?” she
yelled. The Manageress replied:
“Dominic was a madhorse, he
would have killed anyone that annoyed him.
Look Domino, I’m sorry, really I am, but I can’t do anything to make it
better.” Domino put her mouth close to
the Manageress’s ear and screamed!
“Yes you bloody can! You kill that bloody Field horse!” The Manageress looked at Jamie who was now
getting to his feet Unaware of what he’d done.
“Kill him! Use one of your bolt things, or whatever it
is you use!” Domino yelled. Jamie said:
“Dominic would have killed
you if he’d had the chance Domino.”
Domino stared at him.
“What do you mean? Sons don’t kill their mothers!” Jamie looked sadly at Dominic’s lifeless
form. He tried to explain.
“Domino, listen to me, and
don’t interrupt or you won’t get it.
Dominic learned to fight at an early age, yes?” Domino nodded, Jamie continued:
“He was given no guidance
because the person he fought he couldn’t really hurt, and she was causing
problems at that time anyway. Is this
right?” Domino looked sick.
“Yeah, I, I suppose it
is.” She said. The shock of what Jamie was implying was
hitting home. Jamie started his
explanation again:
“Because of this, Dominic
thought he could fight anyone and get away with it, even the leader of the
Field horses, yes Domino?” Domino’s
mouth was now dry, she nodded dumbly.
“Dominic’s only method of
justice was violence. That was all he
ever knew. If someone crossed him he
would beat them until they either begged for mercy or were dead!”
“Don’t say it like
that!” Domino sobbed.
“But it’s true
Domino.” The Manageress said. Jamie went for the finish.
“When Jinja voted “no” to
my acceptance into the herd Dominic knew this.
He made quite sure that Jinja couldn’t change his views. He made quite sure that everyone knew Jinja
as a breedist. So when Jinja came to try
and repair the damage he had done and Dominic found us talking, he went
crazy! He would have killed Jinja if he
had the chance Domino. I had to get in
there, and I know this won’t make it any easier for you, but I didn’t mean to
kill him. I’m more sorry than I can tell
you.” Jamie gulped.
“Oh, I, I, I killed a
horse! I’m like the rest of the Field
horses!” he yelled. With that Jamie ran off and threw himself down on the grass on the other
side of the field. Domino asked The
Manageress a question.
“Why would Dominic kill
me?” The Manageress shook her head.
“I don’t know Domino
darling, ask Jinja or Beyancca, they might be able to tell you.” She replied softly. Domino turned to us.
“Why then!” she asked harshly.
“Mac.” I said.
Domino jumped to defend her foal.
“What’s Mac got to do with
it?” she asked crossly.
“Dominic didn’t like the
way you treated her. At first you
treated her in the same way that you had him.
There was no problem there. But
then you started being firm. Actually
teaching her something rather than letting her run wild. Dominic saw this and hated you for it. He saw that because of your inexperience you
had helped to screw his life up. I’m sorry
Domino.” I said gently. Domino was crying again.
“You blame me for
everything? It’s entirely my fault? I’m a bad mother? That’s what you’re saying isn’t it
Beyancca?” she asked.
“No Domino, not bad,
inexperienced.” I corrected. Domino still didn’t understand, I could see
it in her eyes.
“If you were a bad mother
Domino, you would have kicked and bit your foals, made their lives hell! You loved Dominic and you love Mac with all
your heart. That’s plain to see. No you’re in no way a bad mother Domino! Please don’t think that for one second. You see Dominic thought he was
invincible. He thought no-one could touch
him Domino, not even you! He would have
found a way of getting rid of you Domino, I’m sorry, words aren’t enough. You feel sad for him because you loved
him. You loved the foal. You didn’t like the grown Dominic. You hoped he would come round, but he
didn’t.” I was hitting the right notes
and Domino knew it. I had got her sussed
right down to her nuts and bolts. I
continued:
“Love Dominic by all means
Domino, but don’t lose sight of the fact that he was a madhorse.” Domino asked:
“Who would, who next
Beyancca?” I glanced at Mac. Domino saw my eyes flicker towards her foal
and actually physically leaped on top of Mac to protect her! Mac fought her way from beneath her badly
frightened mother.
“Hey mum! Cool it a bit will you!” Mac said.
Domino lay prostrate on the grass.
She made quite sure that Mac wasn’t going anywhere where she couldn’t
see her.
“He can’t kill my
foal! Not Mac!” Domino yelled.
“Please Beyancca, it’s not
true is it?” Domino gasped. Jinja snapped:
“Come on Beyancca, you’re
making this up to frighten her.” I lost
my temper!
“Would I do a thing like
that Jinja?” I asked crossly.
“No.” Jinja admitted. Domino had got up and was now making quite
sure for the fourteenth time in thirty seconds that Mac was still standing
beside her. I couldn’t blame her. Domino said:
“But Dominic was kind to
Mac, he saved her from Fleur.” Mac spoke
up then.
“No mum, Dominic
didn’t. When Fleur kicked me I flew out
of the barn, yes that was true, and it hurt when I landed. But that’s taught me
a lesson now. I know not to walk into a
conversation half way through and make comments. Because I don’t know! I thought I would be safer with Dominic
about, but now I’m not so sure.” Domino
hugged her foal.
“Don’t ever get yourself
into a fight Mac, promise me that you won’t.”
she said.
“After Jinja pushed me
over, I’ll never fight again mum, promise!”
Mac promised. Domino turned to
Jinja:
“What’s this?” she asked.
Mac knew what was coming and quickly stepped in to save her uncle from a
grilling he’d never forget.
“Oh, he only pushed me
gently, I think you saw it mum.” She
said quickly. Domino said:
“Changing the subject for
a bit, nobody saw Dominic do any of this.
You’ve no evidence Beyancca!”
“Sometimes hatred is
invisible Domino.” I replied.
“Yes I suppose it could
be.” Domino admitted.
You may be asking, in fact I’m sure you are asking what’s become of
Jamie? Well if you remember the last we
saw of him he was sprawled at the opposite end of the field trying to come to terms
with what he’d done to Dominic. We
wandered across and found him standing eating grass.
“You perked up a bit.” I observed.
“Yeah, the minute I heard he
would’ve gone after Mac I had no reservations about doing what I did.” He said.
Mac nibbled at the grass. I
watched her with a keen interest I couldn’t explain. Then I realised what made this normal sight
strange to me, when I had seen her feeding in the past. All right before you start saying anything
funny, I didn’t deliberately look out for her.
But when on the off chance I had caught sight of her, Domino had always
fed her. Now she was eating grass. Domino watched Mac also. She suddenly started to laugh:
“You know what Mac said
to me one day? She goes, “Hey mum, I hope
you don’t mind but I’ve tried eating grass, like I’ve seen you doing.” I told her it was fine by me, and she said,
“It’s a lot better than that milk of yours mum.” With that Mac walked off, I
didn’t see her again for the next hour!”
Mac laughed:
“That milk’s awful
mum.” She said. Domino hugged her foal.
“I love you Mac.” She said.
Mac looked away, she was embarrassed by her mother’s actions. Domino smiled at Mac.
“I nearly lost you Mac.” Domino said.
The Manageress watched us.
“I’m sorry that Dominic had to meet his
end in the way he did. I know he would
have killed Mac and possibly Domino if he had been allowed to carry on.” She said.
Jinja shook himself.
“Better get back to the
yard and break the news to the others.”
He said. We walked back to the
yard in a bit of a gloomy mood. We knew
that some of the horses were very fond of, even trusted Dominic. They’d have real problems accepting the awful
truth about their supposed guardian angel.
When I returned to the barn Brydy caught my eye.
“I heard screaming and
yelling coming from the fields. What the
hell happened?” she asked. I told her.
“Dominic! Dead!”
she said.
“I’m afraid so Brydy.” I replied.
She then said:
“Dominic was always
boasting he could beat any Field horse.
But he was beaten by a Field horse, wasn’t he?” I nodded.
“Yeah, he was that
Brydy.” I replied. Brydy said:
“But if Jamie hadn’t tried
to help Jinja, I don’t know what would have happened! I don’t want to think of what would
happen!” she looked at our former
leader.
“If Dominic had killed you, I
would’ve been sad forever.” It seemed
that despite Jinja’s disgraceful temporary disownership of Jamie, he was still
loved by many horses in the yard. Brydy
asked Jinja what made him change his mind.
“Because you were against
Jamie being accepted into the herd, weren’t you Jinja?” She asked.
Jinja looked away.
“I watched Beyancca and
Jamie. I watched the way he treated her
and her treatment of him. I listened to
the way they spoke to one another. I
found that they loved each other, one was a Field horse the other was a yard
horse. I realised that I could love and
respect a Field horse. I felt that I
wanted to try and make amends for what I had said and done. I wanted to say I was sorry, more sorry than
I could tell them.” Brydy nodded.
“I’m glad you’ve changed
your mind.” She said. Jinja smiled.
“All I saw was the Field
horse in Jamie. I didn’t see the love and
affection he shows towards Beyancca.
I’ve been so stupid.” He
said. Jinja opened Brydy’s door. She watched as he came up close to her and
hugged her. Brydy was taken completely
by surprise!
“Hey Jinja! What’s the meaning of this?” she exclaimed. Jinja pulled back quickly.
“I’m sorry Brydy, I don’t
know what I was doing.” Jinja
replied. Brydy smiled.
“That’s all right Jinja, I
was a bit surprised that’s all.” She replied.
She hugged Jinja. He pretended he wasn’t enjoying it, but we knew
different. Jinja loved a hug, no matter
who was hugging him. Brydy wasn’t the
most unattractive mare in the world either.
Also she was more Jinja’s height.
Rosie had been teased because she and Jinja were so different height
wise. But there was no doubt that Rosie
and Jinja made an excellent couple. I
knew that Jinja missed Rosie very much.
I think you’ve already seen what the mention of her name does to him. Poor old Jinja, I feel so sorry for him
sometimes. Jinja closed Brydy’s door and
walked away. Brydy watched him go.
“That horse misses his
wife more than he could ever tell anyone.”
She observed.
“Yeah Brydy.” I replied.
Jamie hugged me. He looked down
the barn to where Fleur was draped over her box door in an attitude of pure
boredom. She levered herself away from
the door and looked at us.
“Where’s that bloody
foal?” she asked.
“If by “that bloody foal”
you mean Mac, well she’s in a field somewhere with Domino.” I replied.
Fleur snorted:
“And where’s that mountain of fury that
calls himself Dominic?” she asked. Jamie looked her straight in the eye.
“Dominic’s dead, I killed
him.” He said flatly. Fleur stared at him.
“You? You killed Dominic? He’s twice your size!” she said quickly. Digby spoke up then.
“Jamie’s a Field horse
don’t forget Fleur.”
“Oh yes, so he is.” Fleur said to no one in particular. Then she admitted something that I don’t
really think she meant to.
“I had forgotten that.” She said.
Jamie said:
“You can forget it again
then Fleur.” Fleur looked Jamie straight
in the eye.
“I’m never going to vote
for a Field horse ever again!” She
said. Just then Jingle came flying into
view, very angry indeed, spitting with rage in fact!
“What’s this I hear about
you killing Dominic then Jamie?” she
yelled. Jamie faced the furious horse.
“Well, we got into a
fight and I accidentally killed him Jing’.”
Jamie replied. He had used
Jingle’s shortened or “pet” name to annoy her, he succeeded. Jingle’s reply was unprintable, I had never
heard such language from her! I think
the gist of it was something like:
“Dominic was my Nephew,
and don’t call me “Jing’” ever again if you value your life!” Jingle bristled with rage and looked as if
she might kick out at Jamie at any moment.
Jingle gave Jamie dirty looks all day after that. She once screamed out while standing in the
middle of the yard!
“And what will Domino say when she finds
out you’ve murdered her Son ay Jamie?”
Domino crept up on Jingle and frightened her by screaming in her
ear! Jingle jumped a mile and whirled
round to face her tormentor. Seeing whom
it was she launched into a denunciation of Jamie. Domino held up her right fore foot to stop
Jingle in her tracks. But Jingle kicked
her on her raised fetlock! Domino yelped
in agony and a full blown equine version of a punch up took place. I stepped into the midst of it and got
knocked about a bit. That was until they
realised that they weren’t hitting each other.
Then they stopped clubbing the life out of me.
“Oh, Beyancca, I’m so
sorry.” Domino said. She added:
“I didn’t see you.” I looked at her strangely.
“You didn’t see me? Blind rage was it Domino?” I asked.
Domino looked away. Jingle
snorted and stamped about showing her anger at Domino and Jamie. Domino looked about her franticly.
“I need to get out of
here!” she panted. Domino fled in a cloud of dust. She scampered up the track and disappeared
into a field, probably in search of Mac, I couldn’t be sure. I suddenly knew I liked Domino very
much. I remembered that she used to be
public enemy number one. Jingle walked
off swearing under her breath. I knew
the grief and anger would be evident for some days to come. Dominic’s reputation as a super hero was
established. This reputation would be
difficult to shake off. I said earlier
that I thought he knew where his place in the yard and his place in the herd
were. But I know now that I was
wrong. I looked around me and saw Jamie
coming towards me.
“Hi Beyancca my
darling!” he called.
“Hi Jamie dear!” I replied.
Jamie ran to me and hugged me. My
heart leaped as he touched me!
“Wow Jamie, this is
wonderful!” I said. Jamie nuzzled my shoulder and my spirits
soared to undreamed of heights. I
wondered how I had managed without him.
I thought:
“So what if he is a Field
horse, he can love another horse with all his heart.” I could see that. I love him to the moon and the stars and back
again, four times over, and more! I
closed my eyes and concentrated on Jamie.
He noticed my expression and teased me.
“You soppy old thing
Beyancca.” He laughed. I hugged him tightly.
“I love you more than I
could ever say Jamie, and what’s this about me being old? I’m only six!” I said.
Jamie laughed.
“When we first met
Beyancca, I never dreamed we would come to this.” He said.
I couldn’t think of what to say.
Balugue appeared then.
“Hi Jamie, Beyancca, how’re
you today?” I replied:
“Finding out all about
indescribable feelings of elation Balugue.”
Balugue smiled at us.
“I thought I’d never see a
yard horse and a Field horse deeply in love with each other.” She said.
Jamie and I ran off up the yard and burst into the riding school. We found that the Manageress, Misty, crofter,
Ruby, Chantilly, and Digby were working and were not impressed at us barging
in. The Manageress whirled round on us.
“Can’t you see there’s a
lesson going on here you two?” she
asked.
“Sorry!” we said.
We ran off and made our way back to our boxes, or should I say box. I opened my door and found Jamie coming in
with me. That was fine by me. The weather had suddenly turned cold and it
had started raining. In the barn we were
sheltered from the weather even if we left our boxes and visited other horses
that also lived in the barn. Jamie
pressed himself close to me, I hugged him for the millionth time.
The rain drummed on the barn roof.
Jamie sighed:
“Doesn’t weather like this
make you even more grateful for shelter.”
He said. I nodded:
”Yeah, it makes you think
doesn’t it.” I said. The rain blew into the barn spraying our
doors. Brydy looked out at the filthy
weather through half closed eyes.
“I was trying to get some
sleep!” she said sharply. I looked over towards Fleur’s box, yes you’ve
guessed it, and Fleur was asleep! Not
only was she asleep, she was snoring loudly!
Brydy yelled at her.
“Oi Fleur! Wake up!”
she yelled. Fleur twitched her
ears but made no other response. Brydy
gave up, she settled down in the straw and tried to sleep. Jamie and I settled down also. Soon all the horses, bar Misty, were either
dozing, or totally spark out. Misty came
back from her lesson while we were sleeping.
She broke the peaceful atmosphere by slamming her door and crunching
noisily into her straw. Digby came back
almost silently and closed his door softly.
Then I heard the steady clop of horse’s hooves coming round the end of
the barn. The horse had a different
tread to the horses that made up the usual traffic through and around the
barn. I then recognised the horse, Cleo
had come round to see her mate. Digby
saw her and made “be quiet” signals to her.
She joined him in his box. Digby
and Cleo settled down and the barn fell silent once more. The Manageress came round then. She crept through the barn watching her
horses sleeping. She opened my door
softly and stroked my nose.
“Good girl Beyancca.” She said softly. I nuzzled her arm drowsily. The Manageress closed my door and left the
barn.
We must have slept for a good hour or so before Mac shattered the
peace! She came into ear shot shouting
for me.
“Hey Beyancca! Are you there?” I shook myself awake and blinked hard to
clear my vision. I looked over my door
towards the entrance of the barn. Mac
came thundering in with Domino panting along behind her. Domino gasped:
“Don’t you ever stop
Mac?” Mac stopped, turned and looked her
mother in the eye.
“Life’s too short to stop
mum.” She said. Mac then battered my door with her fore feet
until I yelled at her.
“We were trying to sleep
Mac! Haven’t you got any
consideration?” I asked. Misty put her two pence in.
“Yeah push off!” she snapped.
Domino glared at Misty.
“Don’t talk to my foal
like that.” she said ominously. Misty, feeling that Domino was pushing her
luck, challenged her to a fight. There
was no question that Domino would win the fight if this situation was to come
to blows, because she was twenty-two years younger, and therefore more agile
than Misty. Domino looked across at the
enraged mare.
“Would you really want
this to come to blows Misty?” she
asked. Misty stared straight back at
Domino.
“From what I’ve heard, you
haven’t got Dominic to fall back on any more Domino! So I think we’d be quite evenly matched don’t
you?” Mac then said something to Misty
that sealed their acrimonious relationship for good.
“Look Misty, Mum’s
twenty-two years younger than you. Do
you really think you have a chance against her?” Misty was spitting with fury!
“What! Don’t you ever speak to me like that again
you bloody Cow!” Misty shouted. Domino was enraged by the older horse’s
disrespect for her foal!
“It was you who started all
this Misty! Why don’t you just shut up
and accept the fact that you’ve lost!”
Misty bared her teeth at Domino and tore open her door. She advanced on the younger horse and made
moves as if she would attack her. But
instead of attacking Domino, Misty went for Mac! From that moment on Misty didn’t know what
had hit her. She had seriously
underestimated Domino’s agility and knowledge.
After two and a half years of watching her Son fighting countless
horses, Domino had picked some tricks up that Misty hadn’t even heard of. Because of this Domino beat Misty within
three minutes, while still managing to protect Mac the whole time she was fighting.
Misty came out of that scrap having learned not to try it on with Domino ever
again! Misty limped back to her box worn
out and bruised in many different places.
She spent the rest of the day sulking.
The Manageress noticed Misty’s sudden withdrawal into herself. She asked us about it and got a graphic
description of the whole thing from Mac.
“Thank you Mac. I’ll take it from here I think.” She said.
Mac looked up into the human’s face.
“Misty threatened my
mum, and she paid for it, mum hit her!”
she said. Brydy and Chantilly had
kept quiet while all this was going on.
They felt it was none of their business.
Jamie had watched Domino’s technique when she fought Misty. He noted how much of the Field horse method
was evident in her manner. Obviously
Dominic had learned that way also. He
decided he wouldn’t tell her the origins of her methods. He felt he might lose a friend if he
did. Cleo stuck her head out of Digby’s
box and looked sympathetically at Domino.
“I’m sorry to hear about
Dominic.” She said. Domino blinked back tears. I thought:
“Dominic might have been a
stupid fool and a violent menace, but we must never forget that he was your Son
Domino.” Domino gulped back tears.
“Yeah thanks Cleo.” She said quietly. Then Domino remembered something.
“You used to hate Dominic
and I, you couldn’t stand us!” Cleo
looked very unhappy.
“Yes Domino, I remember
that, but, I’ve changed, I’m not the horse I was.” Domino had been segregated from the rest of
the herd during the last month and a half before Mac was born. She had been isolated from the herd, so she
hadn’t seen Cleo and Digby’s sudden friendship.
Nor had she seen the way that it had turned quickly into much more than
a friendship. Domino stared at her enemy
with undisguised fear and hatred! Brydy
noticed Domino’s hatred and sighed with exasperation.
“For heaven’s sake
Domino! Why don’t you let it drop and
give Cleo a chance?” Domino turned her
hatred on Brydy.
“What would you know? You never saw what she did to Dominic, nor
did you see what she did to her own foal!”
Cleo asked:
“Where is Poppie?” Domino looked at her quickly.
“The Manageress sold her I
think.” She said. Cleo gulped:
“I never knew that. Why didn’t you tell me Domino?” Domino replied:
“Poppie never wanted me to
tell you. You weren’t any type of mother
to her were you Cleo?” Cleo began to
cry.
“I don’t know what to do, I
don’t know what to think.” She sobbed. Digby hugged his girl friend.
“Look, in a year you’ll
have another foal Cleo.” He said. Domino stared at her.
“You mean you’re
pregnant!” she screamed.
“Yeah, I am Domino, and you
can’t do a bloody thing about it!” Cleo
yelled. Domino sneered at her old enemy.
“You’re not going to have
that foal Cleo. I’m going to make sure
of that!” she screamed. Mac looked at her mother.
“You won’t do anything to
Cleo. If you do I’ll hate you
forever!” she said. Domino looked at her Foal.
“No Mac, I won’t do
anything to her. But I can’t ever
forgive her for what she did to Dominic and Poppie.” Domino said softly.
“I’m sorry Cleo, I didn’t
mean that. Perhaps you have
changed. I haven’t seen that yet. But I can’t forget what you did to Dominic
and Poppie.” Mac replied:
“Think of the joy you had
when I was born and remember it. Don’t
deny Cleo that joy, either before or after her foal’s born, all right mum?” Domino looked at her foal.
“I don’t know what to say
Mac! I’ve never heard a foal say that to
her mother before!” Mac said:
“There’s always a first time
for everything mum.” Mac looked into
Cleo’s eyes.
“You’d make a good mother I
think Cleo, take care of your foal.” She
said. Cleo smiled at Mac.
“Sometimes it takes a foal
to turn a mother’s attitude around.” She
said. Domino’s shock at her foal’s words
was almost indescribable. Mac had made
her think of what she had said to Cleo over the last two and a half years. Domino was beginning to regret saying those
things. Domino suddenly said:
“I’m sorry for everything
Cleo!” Brydy was so shocked at this that
she nearly fell over!
“Would you repeat that
Domino?” she asked. Domino threw a glance at Brydy.
“Why? I’m not saying it again! I’ve been screwing myself up to this for a
long time!” she snapped.
“Make sure you keep to
that won’t you.” Brydy replied. Then the Manageress and the vet came to check
on Cleo. Then, To Mac’s intense annoyance,
the vet checked her over also.
“What do you think you’re
doing? I’m healthy, perfectly
fine!” Mac yelled. The vet released her and she scampered away
and disappeared out of sight. Domino
sprinted after her. I marvelled at her
turn of speed. Domino disappeared around
the same corner that Mac had turned only half a second before. The vet then checked Cleo over.
“She’s fine.” The vet said. The Manageress asked the vet to take a look
at Misty. The vet checked Misty over. She found a few bruises on Misty’s body, and
a very bruised pride under her coat. The
vet asked the Manageress what Misty had been getting up to. The Manageress told the vet about the fight
between Misty and Domino.
“Herd tension.” The vet said.
“Something like that.” The Manageress agreed. I felt that I wanted to run through the
fields. I wanted to run, jump, roll, and
dance, anything to break the atmosphere of tension. Jamie, Brydy, Mac, Cleo, Digby and I escaped
into the fields. We ran out of the yard
and ran away towards the fields. We did
exactly what I listed above, all of it!
We fooled about for a few hours.
We had many rough and tumble games, being careful with Cleo of
course. Mac and Cleo got on
famously. Even Domino joined us. I then realised how young Domino still
was! She was a similar age to Fleur and
myself. She rolled and played like the
rest of us. It was strange to think she
had had two foals and suffered bereavement, and she was only six! I felt that
Domino had had to cope with a lot in a very short period of time. We stretched out in the wet grass. The rain had stopped and the sun was
shining. I thought of all the events
that had taken place over the last two months or so. I wondered how the herd had pulled out of the
nosedives it had taken. I also thought
of the joy, pain, grief, love, and lessons both felt, experienced and learned
over that time. We had learned a lot
about tolerating and respecting both the breed and beliefs of others. I hoped the rest of the year was going to be
fine.
Well that’s that. I’m worn out
from rolling on the grass with the rest of the horses. I’ve narrated over twenty pages, and I’m
shattered, I think I’ll go back to my
box and sleep it off. See you sometime
later friend! Come on Jamie, let’s
go!
Copyright notice.
I, MARTIN WILSHER, here by assert and
give notice of my right under section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988 to be identified as the author of the foregoing article.
© Copyright Martin Wilsher 1998-2000
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