Brumbies by Paula Boer

Author:Paula Boer [Boer, Paula]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781925496918
Publisher: IFWG Publishing Australia
Published: 2018-02-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

A stiff wind blew through the trees, rattling leaves and making the branches thrash over Ben’s head. Snip pranced and pulled, chafing at the bit.

“Steady up, fella. I don’t want my head knocked off.”

The young gelding continued to dance, making Ben duck under low branches, twisting this way and that to navigate through the forest. Despite having been out for over two hours, Snip played up as if they’d just left home.

Ben came close to losing his temper with his horse, but he knew that would only make matters worse. He tried to calm down by taking a few deep breaths. The anger he felt at the world simmered, refusing to go away. His foul mood grew as he thought of the brumbies being released, Louise getting sick and the new school year looming.

Neither his nor Louise’s parents wanted them to ride together. He realised how much he enjoyed her company. What had started out as having someone help get the horses fit had developed into a true friendship. And now he was supposed to stop riding with her.

Life wasn’t fair. He should have been spending his spare time breaking in his liver chestnut colt—he still thought of the horse as his, even though he hadn’t caught it yet. One day, he promised himself, that horse will be mine.

Lost in his thoughts, Ben covered many more kilometres. Normally a mountain ride cheered him up, but not today. His rumbling stomach told him how much time had passed so he looked for a spot to have lunch. Twisted snow gum branches tossed in the wind, beckoning him like the fingers of wicked witches. He decided to avoid the dark woods. He could hear the tinkling of a creek, so headed in that direction.

Ben realised he had ventured into a part of the park he had never been in before. He couldn’t remember where he had differed from his usual path. It must have been somewhere past the old mines. Great! An adventure. Just what he wanted.

Scanning the horizon, Ben could see Mt. Evans far off to the east. So, he’d travelled further west than normal. He didn’t normally come this way as the ridge between here and the old road consisted of steep cliff faces and rocky slopes. The grey walls ended at another peak, one with no name. Or at least, no name he knew.

By the time Ben had worked out his location, the creek came in sight. He pushed Snip forward so he could drink. The horse took a tentative step towards the water then backed off. Ben shortened his reins and pushed the horse harder with his legs.

“Don’t be stupid. It’s only water, you idiot.” He kicked Snip hard in the ribs, remembering how he had shied before at a creek.

Snip reared and pawed the air with his front hooves. Taken by surprise, Ben lost his reins. The black gelding spun, unseating his rider. Ben made a grab for one rein and pulled with all his might on the horse’s head.

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