life of a horse by kindy mined, caley paters, paterson lalaburty, mycayla lee (phonics books TXT) 📖

a large barn sat. We walked inside slowly, as if in a trance. The woman stopped in front of a nice stall that held Atlas, the horse I bought. He was even better up close. His muscles rippled at every movement he made, and his coat was as shiny as silk. The lady led him out of his stall with a nice leather halter that had a name plate with the horse’s name on it. I led her to our small trailer, feeling ashamed because of how grand everything she owned was compared to our stuff. But, the horse was going to be mine. After we loaded Atlas into the trailer, we drove home.

 

 

last chapter

 

I watched out the window of the car as my dad drove down the highway. Kentucky was beautiful, but it wasn't home. I had a good life back home... Straight A student, lots of friends and I was even about to move up to prelim in eventing with my thoroughbred Oscar, but we had to sell him before we moved. After my mom passed away 2 years ago my dad had a hard time coping and lost his previous job in Harrisburg Illinois. He recently got one in Kentucky and would be working as an assistant trainer at a place called Lane's End and maybe, just maybe, become a full time trainer there. "Alright honey, here we are!" My dad's voice deep and strong rung through the car. He looked at me with a huge grin and I stared at the new house. It wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either. It was a much nicer house then what I thought we would be getting. It was two stories high, had a dark brown wood finish, a porch matching the color of the house wrapped around the whole house. "It's amazing!" I said. "You haven't even seen all of it yet! It gets better!" I could tell my dad was eager to let me explore the rest of the place. "Go on! We'll unpack later check out the rest of the house but I want to take u somewhere in about an hour ok?" I nodded eagerly and jumped out of the car a walked around the house and what I saw was better than anything I ever imagined! There was a barn! It was a six stall barn with an exterior that matched te same color of the house. I sprinted to the inside and stopped and took it all in. 6 huge stalls, a hay loft. I walked into a smaller room, a tack room! It already had saddle racks and bridle hooks put in. I walked out of the tack room and exited the back of the barn. There was 4 big pastures. Each one large enough to allow 3-4 horses enough space to run and play together. I couldn't believe it! My father was the best man ever! "I'm guessing you like it?""Like it? I love it!! It's amazing! Why'd you buy it? I don't have a horse, let alone six!" I laughed a little. "Well, part of the job I've been given is to help ex-race horses to find a new home or recover from an injury etcetera and so forth, so my employers pulled a couple strings and I got the barn and pastures with the house withouht extra charge! "Well it's the best deal that you've ever even given!" I laughed and ran to my father and wrapped my arms around him. "Thank you dad." I said quietly."Ok!" He said pretending I didn't say anything,"I have somewhere to take you! It's not boring I promise! Because it involves your favorite things... Horses!"

 

Raindrops fell softly outside my window. I was a jockey. Racing was my life. Until my beautiful black gelding, Shooting Star, died of a cannon bone accident. I still blamed myself for his death. His end caused no more ridding for me. I believed that there was not a better horse in the world. After six months I still would not leave my house except to go to school. Homeschooling would be ideal, but I didn't have the guts to say anything about it to my Mom or Dad. In fact I didn't have the guts for anything any more. “Can I come in?” My Mom asked through the door. “Sure.” I yelled back. The door squeaked as she opened it. Mom cleared her throat. “Brooke, I know you miss Star. I also know that deep down inside you miss riding.” She pushed my long ebony hair out of my eyes. “I propose that you you take a lesson tomorrow morning.” Although her voice held complete gentleness I knew that it wasn't my choice. “Okay.” “Thank you honey.” Mom whispered. After she left I curled up on my blue bed and looked at my silvery walls. “I just don't know if I’ll be able to stand being around other horses without my Shooting Star.” Then I gazed at the poster of a jockey. I had ripped it when my beautiful boy died.*** My alarm bleeped loudly. “Arrg.” Teenagers like me had a perfect right to sleep in on Saturdays. I rolled over and rubbed my sleepily green eyes. I grabbed a pair of blue jeans and a blue t-shirt.*** I stepped out of the car and smelled fresh rain and horse. When my Mom drove away I crept into the barn. Then I noticed a new, Palomino, thoroughbred, horse laying in the shadows. I peered into the dark stall. I noticed her cannon bone was broken. I was sure as shootin’ that this girl wasn't going to make it.

 

It was a cool, crisp morning when I, Audrey Z, was about to enter a scare of my life. I just exited the halter class. When I was eating my breakfast I saw a girl named Crystal, she went into her Showmanship class with no chain or lead line. Grandma said I should do that. In return, I said really, cool, I will, what do I have to do? Well stop, pivot, back, and trot. Grandma said.I can do it, I said. I practiced after a while. There were two more classes in front of me. We started putting on the details on Just My Jazz, an AQHA horse, otherwise Jazz is her barn name. It was my turn now and I took my chain off and I entered. Me and Jazz were having a great time in the arena. We did awesome and did a perfect job. I got first place, but I've got to be honest, I was the only one in there but it was still pretty awesome. Jazz got plenty of treats and hugs.

 

I nudged Prancer into a canter. The sun shone through the leaves. The cold frosty air found its way through my jodphurs and t-shirt. The morning misty dew sat lightly upon the colourful flowers. I loved willow creek. A small river ran through the middle of the forest. I came here every day! When I wanted to be alone with Prancer I would bring a book and ride into the middle and sit under the huge oak tree. Today i just wanted to have a bit of free time before breakfast. Mum didn't know I was here. I thought i would go for a 15 minute ride and go home before anyone noticed. I started to head back when I noticed a sheet stuck on the big oak. I stared at the sheet horrified!Willow creek is to be cut downby tomorrow so we can hunt for the willow creek ponies. Anyonewith sightings of this mystical herd please report to Harry Hunter.As I read the last line I was filled with anger. Why did they have to cut down Willow Creek. I started to read Harry Hunter's contact info and reached for my phone to call him. I realised I had left it at home.I stared at my watch. I had to be at home in 2 minutes before my alarm went off. Mum would walk into my room any second now and I wouldn't be allowed to ride for a week! I galloped through the fields and led Prancer into his stable. I ran inside and got changed before running downstairs."You're up early" my mum said. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't reply."So whats the plan for today?" She questioned.As I snapped back to reality, I heard mum's question.

 

What happened, where am I? It all starts coming back to me in flashes. The ropes, pain, terror, all of it. My vision is blurry and my legs are chained together. I hear a noise and my ears perk hoping for a familiar buffer or even a snort, but all that I hear are unfamiliar footsteps. A dark shape comes into view, I whinny in fear and try to rear but the chains on my hoofs hold me back. The two-legged drops something and runs over to me with his hands in front of him. Easy girl, he says, but I am beyond soothing words. He's so close, I can see his face and smell his rancid odor. I can't get away from him, he comes closer until he grabs the rope contraption that is stuck to my face and pulls. I can't fight, I can only brace for the pain I know must come next. He is speaking quietly and gently stroking my muzzle. My quivering muscles relax and I feel my eyes droop. I give in to the overwhelming tiredness.

 

Just then I heard a click-click. It was coming from the wall! Suddenly the wall sprang open and a sandy haired boy that looked about twelve walked through. I could hardly believe my eyes. He walked over and quickly untied us. He pulled my gag off and smiled at me. “Hi. My name is Jake.” I blushed and said, “Thanks for rescuing us!” “No problem! We better get out of here!” “Ok!” I said. We went through the wall and ended up in Mrs Plum’s hallway. Alana was walking behind us and when I turned around she was gone! I was about to tell Jake that Alana was gone but someone pulled me back! The person held my mouth so I couldn’t speak. I was going to pull away but right in front of me was a black pistol. I heard Jake yell out “Hey! Where are you guys?” He walked back around and saw Bob holding me and Alana. He gasped. “If you move any closer I will pull this trigger” said Bob “Now get into the cellar!” Jake took a few steps backwards and gave a shrill whistle. The ghost horse that I had seen walked into the hallway and Jake hopped on its back!

 

The first time I saw her was in a animal rescue centre. She was standing in a small enclosure. Her ocat was caked with mud. She nuzzled me when I held out my hand. I knew straight away that she was the one I wanted! "I want her dad" I said, smiling at the grey gelding. The horse trailer wasn't big but it was suitable for the new horse. I realised I had to give her a name. Her