Every day the boy practiced with me in the bridle and saddle. I soon grew used to them, and now even looked forward to them being put on, for I found the boy was far more balanced with the tack. We became even more in tune with each other, and I was pleased. Occasionally, he still did ride me without tack, just for fun.
Napoleon and I became great friends. I missed him when he went to work, and he whinnied after me if I was working in the field and Tony had him in the barn. I am sure we made an odd pair, a chunky old white-grey gelding and a coal black stallion, but neither of us minded. I sometimes wished for a mare or two, but as long as I had Alec and Napoleon, I was happy enough.
One night, I pricked my ears as I chewed my hay. It was quite late, but the moon shone brightly. A truck pulled up near the barn, with a trailer behind, similar to the one I had ridden in to come here. A new horse? I listened, but decided it was empty. Two people entered the barn quietly, and didn't turn the light on. Being a horse, I could see and smell them very well...it was only Alec and Henry. But what was going on? I neighed at them. Napoleon, who had been sleeping, woke up and whinnied too. Both Alec and Henry shushed us, and we were quite puzzled. I had a light blanket tossed on me, and Alec led me out of my stall. Where are we going? I danced around, making my hooves clatter on the floor. The boy led me outside to the truck, and Henry shut the door. Napoleon promptly screamed loud and long. I answered him. We were both jittery and confused. The humans paused and conferred. After a minute, Henry went back into the barn and led out Napoleon. I was pleased to see the grey gelding, and called softly to him. The boy asked me to walk into the trailer. I thought a second, then trusted him and hopped on. Henry put Napoleon next to me and tied us both. The trailer door shut behind us, and we were ready.
The trailer moved carefully, and we braced our feet. It wasn't a terribly long ride. We finally stopped again, and the door opened. I was excited as Alec popped in between us. "Easy, Black," he said, and let me out of the trailer. I pranced until Henry let Napoleon down too. I turned my head this way and that. Why are we here? Alec walked me around to get the stiffness out of my legs. Henry did the same with Napoleon, until he was interrupted by a man he seemed to know. The man had a high pitched voice, but was friendly. He looked at Napoleon first, since being grey, he stood out in the moonlight. When Alec laughed at something he said, he turned in my direction. I was harder to see, but the man gasped in awe of me. I let him approach and watched him curiously. Suddenly bored, I pawed my hoof.
Things started happening then. Alec held me while Henry saddled me. He was in hurry and yanked my girth up too quickly. I let him know by giving a bit of a rear. The other man helped Alec put my bridle on. I didn't want the strange man near me at first, but soon decided he knew his stuff too. Henry boosted the boy on my back, and I pranced uneasily. I don't know what we're doing! Henry grabbed my reins and led me to another area that had rails on either side. I couldn't see the end of the narrow grassless field. What was this?
Something told me it would be wonderful to gallop here. The footing felt right to my dancing hooves. The boy held me in to a walk. We walked until it curved, and he turned me back around. I understood enough of Alec's talk to find out this place was called a track. What strange names humans had for things! Alec took off his sweater, and I jigged in place. We were going to run! Let's go! The boy managed to hold me for one second longer then let me go. Yes! I reared in excitement, and when I came down I bolted down the track. Faster and faster I went! I had not had a truly good run since the island...my paddock was far too small. I could feel the reins tight and the bit bite into my tongue as the boy tried to get me to slow down. No way! I fought against the tight hold he had. Finally, in a straight part of the track, I won the battle. I managed to seize the bit in my teeth and ripped the reins out of Alec's hands. I was free! I surged forward even faster, my long strides pounding the ground. I felt the boy hang on to my mane, struggling for balance. It was true that I hadn't run so fast with him before, even on the island. I couldn't help it. I must run! I saw Henry and the other man flash by me, and I kept going. I galloped around again, and my speed finally started to burn out a little. Alec let one hand go off my mane and patted me on the neck. I whipped by the two men again, but all through that next circuit, I slowed down. I had spent my wild gallop that I so needed. I ran by the men one more time, and I was pretty much done. Alec managed to sit up and use the reins to cue me to stop altogether.
I was happy enough to oblige this time. My black hide had turned white with foam, and my sides were heaving. But it had been so worth it. I could feel the boy's exhaustion. I walked quietly toward the two men, who now ran to me. Henry was at Alec's side helping him off, while the other one held my reins. Alec insisted on leading me to where Napoleon was tied. He wrapped his hands first...I could smell the blood on them… and let Henry tie me next to Napoleon. My blanket was tossed on me so I didn't get a chill. Alec sat down on the ground and talked to the men for a while. After he got his breath back, he untied me and walked me until I was cool and breathing normally. I was loaded onto the trailer again, with Napoleon beside me.
Soon we arrived back at the barn. We horses were taken back to our stalls and given fresh hay and water. I was given an extra careful grooming to get the dried sweat off me. The humans finally left us alone to sleep the last few hours before dawn.
