Loyalty Tested

by Charis O. 

I pranced nervously in the corral, watching as the cowboy and his sister approached the pen. Every fiber of my body yearned to run, to gather my herd and flee from this terrifying danger. But here I was, trapped. I dared not take my eyes off of the humans.

“This first time, I’d like you to stay outside of the pen while I work with Whirlwind,” the cowboy instructed the girl.

“Okay, Chad,” the girl replied in a disappointed tone and kicked the dust carelessly.

So, his name is Chad, I thought. Although I couldn’t understand what the humans were saying, by the way the man responded to the word ‘Chad’, I guessed that it was his name.

“Listen, Andi, he’s a wild horse. I need to see how he’s acting and show you how to gentle a horse before I let you in there,” Chad replied firmly.

The girl nodded and settled down near the fence to watch. Chad stepped inside the corral and walked to the center. I took off running around the enclosure, and relief flooded my mind. I could escape from this predator! But the tall wooden fence of the corral met my gaze, and my hopes sank again. I kept running, looking for a way out, and simultaneously watching the rancher at the center of the pen.

Chad had rounded me up after I had stolen some of the mares who lived on his ranch. I had escaped during a strange incident with one of Andi’s friends, but Chad chased me down, and I was back in the corral in no time. The weeks dragged by, my training didn’t begin, and Chad seemed worried. His younger sister didn’t seem herself, either.

But now she was better and Chad was working with me. My breath now came in heavy pants, and every stride took effort. The joy of running had long since disappeared. I was tired, and before long, I wouldn’t be able to run from Chad anymore.

Why hasn’t he come after me yet? Chad stood in the center of the corral, watching me run. My pace slowed even more as I gazed at him curiously. Chad calmly took his rope and tossed the end toward my hindquarters. Terror seized me once again, and I ran with renewed speed.

But another thought played in my mind. He got me to move! Could it be possible that he knows how to speak horse? I watched him carefully, my inner ear pricked toward him and my eye focusing on him. Chad stepped toward the side of the corral and threw his rope in front of me toward the fence. There was now no room for me to pass without getting close to him or his terrifying rope. He kept his weight on the left side of his body and had his right hand pointed toward his right side, clearly signaling which direction I needed to go.

Terror, confusion, and wonder flooded my mind as I screeched to a halt and spun in the other direction. Clouds of dust billowed up into the hot California air as I changed course. Now my question was answered – this man could tell me what to do in a way I understood, and he could get me to do it.

He was a leader, but I still had my doubts. I cantered around some more, and soon Chad asked for another direction change. I whirled, but now I was almost ready to believe that Chad might not be out to attack me, but actually be a kind leader. I mulled it over a little more, but my mind was made up once Chad asked me to change direction again. I turned, slowed to a trot, and lowered my head while licking my lips, signifying that I didn’t want to fight him and that I was thinking hard.

Chad asked me to come in toward him. I hesitantly stepped forward then gained courage and approached him with curiosity. He then backed away a step, taking the pressure his presence put on me away.

I stepped closer and after walking back a few more times, Chad stopped and relaxed completely. I walked closer to him. Chad rubbed my neck and let me sniff him, which drove away all residual fear that he might try to hurt me. After scratching all the itchy places I couldn’t reach myself, Chad left. I went back to cropping the small amount of grass in my pen and thinking about my new friend.

***

Several weeks later, I had no fear of Chad left. He had taught me how to respond to pressure on the lead rope, move towards and away from him when he asked, and stay still when he wanted me to. I now wore a halter without complaint and Chad was training me to carry a saddle.

Andi had gotten to pet me and help Chad with me several times as well, which seemed to delight her. She enjoyed braiding my silky mane and brushing me, which confused me to no end. She brushed out my mane only to tangle it into designs again. She brushed away the dirt that helped protect me from flies, and then was surprised when I rolled immediately after. She expected me to stay still while she groomed me, when I could be eating fresh, juicy grass.

Still, I liked her soft touch, gentle words, and kind heart. I looked forward to every time she and Chad worked with me. One morning as she and Chad came out to the corral, Chad explained, “Andi, we can’t work as long today because Mr. Jackson from Tall Oaks Ranch is coming to look at some of the cattle around noon.”

Andi pouted and kicked the dusty ground.

Chad smiled. “I know, Andi,” he sighed, “I’d rather work with Whirlwind than do business, just like you.”

I pricked up my ears at the one part of the conversation I understood – my name. Chad entered the corral with Andi and helped her do some simple training, then worked with me himself.

Not long after we started, the rattle of carriage wheels caught my attention, and Chad glanced toward the sound. A carriage pulled into view as Chad undid my halter and walked out of the corral. “It’s Mr. Jackson,” he commented over his shoulder to Andi, and approached the carriage.

I examined Andi, who had perched herself on the fence with something in her hand that looked suspiciously like a carrot. I decided to investigate, and it turned out to be what I suspected. I munched it happily as Andi scratched my neck.

 Glancing over toward where Chad was greeting Mr. Jackson, I raised my head up high in alarm. A huge dog sat under the carriage with a menacing look on his face. A broad head, sharp teeth, powerful jaws, and a huge body completed this terrifying image. I stood nervously near the fence watching with anxiety as the dog glared at Chad, as if daring him to attack his master.

Andi stroked my neck and crooned, “It’s all right, it’s just a big dog.” Her voice held a slight tremor, even as she reassured me. I didn’t know exactly what she was saying, but I knew what she meant – I didn’t need to worry, Chad was fine. But every instinct I had shrieked that this dog was a threat.

Chad clapped Mr. Jackson on the back. The moment seemed to freeze in time as the dog then leaped toward my friend. No! I thought. Chad, run!

Andi screamed as Chad stumbled back, but it was too late to escape. The dog’s teeth sank into his arm in a death grip. I didn’t need to watch to know what would happen. The dog would knock him to the ground and kill him, or at least severely injure him. By the size of the dog, I guessed it would be the former, unless…

I circled quickly and flew over the fence. Last time I jumped it, terror propelled me, but now loyalty to Chad drove me over it more swiftly than before. I thundered toward them. The dog was beside Chad, who was lying prone on the ground, vulnerable to the dog’s attack. Chad rolled over, trying to escape as Mr. Jackson tried to get his dog away.

I charged closer…closer…closer…and then reared up to attack the dog. The dog dodged just in time and lunged for my leg. I felt his teeth clamp onto me. I hardly felt it because of my terror, and my fear drove me to whirl swiftly. The dog lost his grip, and I kicked him quickly. He rolled over several times and lay unconscious.

I limped toward Chad. The pain that had been numbed by my adrenaline and fear began to come back. Chad rolled over, his arm covered in blood. I nuzzled him with concern while he got up slowly and glanced around. He turned to Mr. Jackson, eyes blazing. “Get that monster out of here right now. You can come back tomorrow for the cattle,” he snapped.

Mr. Jackson stuttered, “But…”

Chad glared at him. “That dog nearly killed me and seriously injured my horse. Leave now and never come back with that dog.” Chad’s jaw was clenched and his fists were tight with rage. I knew that if I was Mr. Jackson, I would listen to what Chad was saying, whatever that was. All I knew was that he was furious. Apparently, Mr. Jackson thought so as well, for he dragged his dog into the carriage and drove away quickly.

Now that the dog was gone, I relaxed completely. Chad rubbed my face and looked deep into my eyes. “Thank you, Whirlwind,” he said with emotion, “You saved my life.” I leaned close to him for comfort.

The ranch house door swung open quickly and a woman’s voice asked, “Chad! Andi said you were attacked by a dog. Are you all right?” She saw the blood coating his arm and commanded, “Come here right now and let me take care of your arm.”

Chad turned to where the woman stood in the doorway, her eyes full of concern. “I’m sorry, Mother. Whirlwind has an injury to his leg. I don’t know how bad it is, but I need to check it before I come in,” Chad explained.

The woman looked incredulous. “Chad, I understand, but you’re more important than--”

Chad interrupted with, “Mother, Whirlwind saved my life. I need to take care of him.”

The woman took a deep breath and relaxed. “I’m sorry Chad. I’m just worried about you. You’re right -- Whirlwind needs you. What can I do to help?” The woman hurried across the yard and stroked my face while Chad looked at my leg.

He stood up with a solemn expression on his face. “I don’t think it’s broken, but it is serious,” he informed her, “The dog’s teeth went deep.”

The woman looked sadly toward him. “You’ll have to put him down?” she asked. I could tell Chad was upset and hurt about something, but I wasn’t sure what. I turned my head to him and nuzzled his shoulder.

“No,” Chad said, “I’m not going to shoot him. I think his wound can heal. I heard of one man who put his horse in a special harness and lifted him off the ground until he could take weight on the leg again. I’m going to try that. Most people will think I’m crazy, but,” Chad shrugged, “I owe my life to Whirlwind. God used him to save me. I’ll give him a chance.”

 ***

Soon, I found myself hanging from a harness in my stall. Andi visited me every day with treats and rubs, and Chad found time every day to scratch my itchy spots and check my leg. After a week, Chad let me get a little bit more weight on my leg, and after several weeks I was able to hold most of my weight. Before long, I was able to stand on my own for short periods of time.

During that time, many people dropped by to see the ‘hero horse’ that the local paper had written about. Most of them thought Chad was crazy. They said all sorts of things about how “I would never be useful” and how “Chad’s contraption wouldn’t work.”

I wasn’t sure what they were saying, but Chad answered this with, “We’ll see how my ‘contraption’ works, and in the meantime, I want him to be comfortable. As for him being useful, I think he’ll heal. But even if he doesn’t, he has a permanent home here on the Circle C. He saved my life after all, and he’s one of the best friends a fellow could have.”

When he said that, I’d move close to Chad and he would scratch my head. I knew what he meant by the tone of his voice, and I heartily agreed. After all, I was Chad’s horse and he was my human.

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