Hopes, Dreams, and Horses?

Sooner or Later

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. -Henry Ford

*Vegas*

I took refuge at the fence on the other side of our pasture, Cera immediatly greeting me as I approached the fence that sperated us geldings from the mares who weren't with foals.

"Oh, Vegas. Whathappened now?" Cera said kindly, her voice quivering in worry for me. I was rarely ever sad, and we horses typically only got upset when we found out that one of our herd members was moving. This was not the case for me.

"Dam says I'm special. I'm not, and don't try to tell me otherwise. If I was special, I'd be worked more often and harder, performing at high standard shows and clearing five foot jumps, kinda like you Cera." I dipped my head low to the ground sadly.

"Vegas! You have such a low self-esteem. Vegas, your Dam and Sire were both excellent horses, and their traits are in you. Just wait till the right girl or boy comes alon and takes you to the top!" Cera whinnied, her tone strict and firm.

Suddenly a shrill whistle arose as the campers came to bring the geldings in for the night. "See you in the stall." I said dejectedly to Cera, gave her a limp gaze, and galloped away towards the gate to the pasture.

*Lara*

I watched as Vegas galloped towards me and my heart warmed. He might not have been my horse, but he was gorgeous and my veiw of horses had drastically changed over these first couple of days.

I stepped inside the pasture and slipped his periwinkle halter over his head, buckled it on, and began to lead him out. But before I could reach the gate, I saw a problem.

Cobalt, the lead gelding, was furious he wasn't being lead out to be fed first. Any horse who approached him got struck with a painful kick in the stomach, sending geldings of all colors, ages, and breeds scattering away as the black gelding went on a rampage.

I gripped the lead rope tightly and gulped. The only other way out of the pasture was a old wooden gate leading around the back of the pasture, but that was four miles back and I was not going back there.

Then, I remembered another emergency exit for the pasture- a huge metal gate leading into the mare pasture. It was risky if the mares came over, because mares normally were tempermental, but if we got in and out quickly we wouldn't have to worry about the Cobalt hassle.

I took a deep breath before slowly walking away, Vegas following quietly behind me. We trudged up a hill and stood, looking around. I saw the grey metal gate, glistening, waiting to be opened. With a grin, Vegas and I ran down the hill and towards the gate.

We stopped at the gate  and I opened it up.

Suddenly, a black form appeared over the horizon- it was Cobalt, heading straight for us at a fast and very aggresive gallop.

I tugged on the lead rope and Vegas walked after me, all too willing to escape the evil hooves of Cobalt. Just as Cobalt came tearing down the hill, I managed to slam the metal gate shut and close the stud lock.

I grinned triumphantly as the black gelding slid to a stop, throwing chunks of grass at Vegas and I. We backed away and I laughed. "Sucks for you, Cobalt!" I cheered, and Vegas tosed his head up and nickered.

Cobalt pinned his ears, terribly upset, and stormed back up the hill.

I lead Vegas tothe mare pasture gate, and as we left the mare pasture, I watched as the other campers scrambled to catch their geldings as Cobalt returned. I couldn't help but chuckle.

Vegas and I walked into the barn and I noticed only one other stall was full- Thor's stall. Thor was Daisy's gelding, an aggressive and snotty black gelding who was positive he could do anything, and so far he'd proved that statement true.

I sighed and patted Vegas, letting him into his stall.

*Vegas*

I immediatly plunged for the bucket of grain, eating it all within a matter of minutes. I heard Leena laugh at me and couldn't help but wonder why. Wasn't it normal to eat fast? As horses, eating slow meant your food would be taken by another gelding.

I shook my head, thinking whatever. It honestly didn't matter to me humans were weird creatures and if they ever changed I'd be stunned.

I went for my hay net and happily munched on the hay, gulping it down slowly. Hay was yummy but for me, it was just a mere treat. If it was taken I wouldn't care less.

I watched Lara leave with a heavy heart. I liked Lara, but I knew she'd never stay forever. She was just another camp who'd stay for a few more weeks then leave me again, probably never returning. I sighed. It was always like this, I loved a student but they never stayed.

For example, Emily. I loved Emily, and I love Cera, but Emily left me for Cera. I had been heartbroken, but now I understood. Emily needed something different than me, and I forgive her because I don't know where I'd be without my best friend Cera.