Wildfire's Life BEFORE Chris

Wildfire ran across the field, feet thundering beneath him. The people on horses galloped behind him. He ran faster. "Dammit!" said John, who was chasing him.

"Well, I guess this is what you get when you have a race horse," said another.

Sarah

Wildfire was being tacked up when Nina, the trainer, walked in. "Is he almost ready?" she asked.

"Yeah," I answered. "I'll be out on the track in just a few," I finished tacking him up. When I tightened the girth I was careful to stay out of the way so he couldn't bite me. I slid the bit into his mouth and grabbed the reins. I walked to the warm up field and walked, trotted, and cantered. I went out onto the racetrack and went into the gate. Wildfire pranced around, but when the gate opened he bolted. Nina had the timer in her hand and yelped out commands at me as we went around once. After a few more times around, I said, "I'm sorry Nina, but he can't go much faster," I said.

"Well, take him in I suppose. I guess if he doesn't do much better by tomorrow he's going to the meat factory," she said.

"NO-," I screamed.

"This is a business. Not a rescue," she stated. I couldn't argue with her, so I just went into the barn and un-tacked Wildfire and turned him out.

Wildfire

I couldn't understand why Nina always had a disappointed look on her face the day after the one when I wasn't feeling myself. All I knew was that I was being taken somewhere that I couldn't ever imagine being. I never knew that the life ahead of me was going to be forever changed. I would be fearful, then brave. I would be sad, then something would happen to make me feel happy again. The life ahead of me showed many challenges, but I only learned how to get through them with the help of some unexpected people.