Run Baby Run[open]

[Kaitlyn Beth Johnson]

Kaitlyn let herself slide out of her Chevy pickup. Her eyes traveled over the black paint that in places had barbed wire scratches. She touched them and an image of her father flashed in her mind. She jerked her hand way from the paint as if it had burned her. She shuddered at the memory as she looked instead at the early morning sky. It was the perfect time to get Dallas and ride him. She smiled as she thought of the grey and white stallion. She sung to the horses as she strode past stalls. Her voice was sweet, but etched with pain, “I went to bed I was thinking about you. I ain't the same since I'm living without you. All the memories are getting colder. All the things that I wanna do over" Her mind once again wondered to her parents until a loud nicker broke her thoughts. Unable to contain herself she sprinted through the barn and threw open the stall door. His large white face was against her bosom before she had a chance to look at him. She tossed her arms around him as she fought tears as she held his massive neck in her arms. He nibbled her hair and clothes softly nickering to her. A warm stinging sensation clouded her vision and she squeezed her eyelids shut tight breathing deep fighting to control her emotions.

A few tears slide down her heart shaped face and she quickly wiped them away and stroked Dallas’s sides. “I’m so glad I have you Bubby.” She whispered softly to him. She took a deep breath and stood back looking him over, he was filthy. She hadn’t given him a good grooming in forever. ‘I really should ride him first; I haven’t done that since I got here…’ She smiled and ran her hand over his face, then reached for his halter on the stall door. She carefully hooked the black stud halter on him and led him easily from the stalls. He pranced excitedly past the other stalls showing off as she led him to the cross ties and clipped the chains on the sides of his halter. She patted his cheek then turned toward the tack room. Opening the door she inhaled the sweet smell of leather. She moved to where she had put all of her tack and grooming supplies. She picked up her basic supplies and headed back to Dallas. He eyed her as she moved over to him curry comb in hand. Laughing she set to work; thirty minutes later she stopped herself. He was clean enough to ride and that was all she needed for him. He was also starting to get antsy stomping his hoof. She returned to the tack room grabbing his bridle saddle pad and light weight English saddle. She carried it easily back to him and he lowered his head his blue eyes shining.

After throwing his tack on she led him out into the indoor arena, less distractions. She mounted and set herself deep in the seat. She shifted forward slightly keeping her right hand on the reigns while her left hand dangled beside her. Dallas moved into a smooth walk holding his head perfectly for her. Warming him up was always her least favorite part of ridding. They both wanted to run as fast as possible. She switched between walking and trotting, while moving in several different patterns. A grin was constantly on her as her and Dallas molded into one. Her movements became his as she shifted and squeezed he would move accordingly. Suddenly she sat back and he stopped instantly his ears and head up wondering why she had done such a drastic thing. She leaned forward a smirk on her face as she whispered to him, excitement dripping from her words, “Ready boy?” He let out a high pitched whinny as he picked up on her emotion wondering what was next. She moved into and odd angle queuing for him to rear, he obeyed easily. His sturdy silver dappled front legs lashed at the air before he plunged back to earth. The arena’s sand flew through the air as he bolted into a full blown sprint.