That evening, just as the sun was setting, the herd were chattering and neighing with laughter. They were having a great time as they grazed on the lush green grass.
Spirit and Rain were standing further away from the herd, just on the outskirts of the woods.
"I think you're a great friend, Spirit. I hope I can stay here with you." Rain was saying.
Spirit smiled and moved towards Rain to nuzzle her. Instead, his nose missed her mane and the two yearlings found themselves kissing!
All of a sudden, there was a whistling sound. Spirit jumped, startled.
"Oh, that will be my owner." Rain said sadly. "I have to go. I promise I'll meet you again one day. Goodbye Spirit." She licked him one last time, then galloped down the hill.
One moment, Rain and Spirit were together, and the next, Rain had gone. Maybe forever.
Spirit neighed a goodbye to his new friend.
As Spirit watched Rain, a human leapt gently on to her back and they galloped away into the distance.
Spirit felt like someone had kicked him in the stomach, would he ever meet Rain again?
The dun yearling lowered his head and laid back his ears, sadly returning to the herd.
Spirit was just wandering back to his herd, when something moved in a hedge behind him.
He turned one ear backwards to hear where the sound came from. He spun round and there stood a wolf cub about the same age as he was, panting hard and looking terrified.
Spirit moved a bit closer to inspect the wolf. His nostrils flared as he sniffed the creature in front of him.
"What are you?" Spirit asked, at last.
"I'm a wolf. You and your herd must run! There is danger on the way!" The wolf said, looking scared.
"Why? What danger?" Spirit asked, alarmed.
"You'd better follow me up the hill." The wolf replied, more calmly.
Spirit followed the wolf up the rise and spotted some horses galloping along a few hundred yards away from the rise.
"It's just more horses." Spirit said, puzzled.
"Yes, they are tough and they are a band of bachelor stallions. You must lead your mares away now! And hurry!" The wolf cried, speeding away in the opposite diresction.
Spirit was shocked. He ran back to his herd and neighed in warning.
The whole herd turned and galloped away, Spirit followed them, herding them past the woods.
"What's the matter, Spirit? What's the danger?" Esperanza asked her son.
"Bachelor stallions, mother." Spirit explained, taking a look behind him. The stallions were following them, but they were a long way behind.
Spirit urged his herd past some mountains and through another forest. The herd became tired and needed to rest. There was a river nearby, and the horses all began to drink from it.
Spirit lowered his head to drink, and just as he rose, he heard the pounding of hooves.
The stallions were at the river, too.
Spirit was cross, and snorted angrily, flailing his hooves to warn off the stallions.
"Relax, we only wanted a drink. We followed your herd because we could sense that you were going to stop off for a drink, and you have!" The lead stallion said.
"Yeah, we don't want your mares, little yearling!" Another stallion finished.
Spirit felt embarrassed, and one of the other yearlings glared angrily at him.
"Some leader you'd make!" He complained.
Spirit paused before saying: "At least now we know what to do in a real danger situation."
He led the herd slowly back home and they settled to sleep for the night.
Spirit couldn't sleep; he looked up at his favourite star and sighed. "Goodbye Rain." He whispered.
He heard a whinny from the distance and it sounded just like her. Spirit felt sure that it was her, and feeling a little more comfortable, he lay down and fell asleep.