Why must we be treated like this?

[arzu]

The yearlings head was lowered obediently as he and his friend were placed in a stall together. The young stallion was over whelmed with all the stuff going on and began to pace un easily, he snorted softly to himself and then made a big mistake, he let a call escape from deep with in him and the guy came running. He entered the stall so quick that Due did not have time to react. He whipped the horse across the back and the legs, causing the stallions wounds to welt and start to bleed, then he just walked out. If you looked closely at Due one would see he was under weight and was filthy, they would see the dry blood and the scars on the poor stallion. Due walked to the back of the stall and began to shake, his little friend came over to stand next to him, Lucky began to lick the wounds on his legs. The yearlings pelt twitched at this, people started to stop and look at the two, shaking there heads and walking away, some cried that it was abuse to leave animals like this but there was no on there to listen.

Just the two stallions, in which they could not understand what the humans were saying. The man returned, whip in hand, you little brat you damaged my trailer. Whip stuck the yearling again and as much as he wanted to cry out he could not, he just lowered his head and waited for his lashings to finish, after several painful minuets the man was satisfied, he taped up two envelope and everything about the two horses, he left a blank check and said the money for them could be mailed to the farm. Then he left, Due was much to weak to even stand any more so with a finally effort he lowered his body and laid in a bloody mess. He whickered to his friend as he began to lick the wounds again, it was a comfort to Due and so he relaxed and his eyes shut, you could see he was breathing but it was shallow, he had a slight wheeze with each breath, both horses were in bad shape. Would any one come to their aid?

Due In Time
Tennessee Walker
will be 16 hh

Luck Of The Draw
Miniature Horse
33 Inches

1000 for both

[Serenade]

No, no, no. He did not need another horse. Not at all. He had no boarders, he hadn't bred Shaik or Kyss or Devan, and he hadn't been to a show with Winchester in a good two months. He didn't need to be here. He was just going to come home with another horse, when he seriously did not need one. But of course he had succumbed. Horses were such an addiction, particularly when you had the room for more than two and the money for it as well.

Eddie walked down the aisles, his dog Achilles kept close to his side by a stout leather leash. The happy gold dog wasn't any kind of vicious, just too friendly and rambunctious. Eddie didn't want him to scare any of the horses in their stalls. Many colors passed beneath his eyes, covering bodies of all different breeds. He was mostly focused on Quarter Horses, what with his prize stallion and three Quarter Horse mares at the stable. But he was certainly open to a little variety. Patterns and colors were the first things that often caught his eye. Maybe a paint, or an Appaloosa. Nice and loud and colorful.

With this in mind, he examined those who were within the wooden stalls, nothing really attracting his attention past a glance. That is, until he came to a seemingly empty stall. He paused, confused. Achilles, surprised by his sudden stop, sat down and stared up at his master for a moment, before turning his attention to the door, leaning forward to give it an investigative sniff. Eddie walked forward to the stall, curious as to what was inside. The paper tacked to the door indicated two horses within, though he didn't see even one.

Coming to the stall, he glanced within, ready to just walk away. But what he saw made his jaw drop. A yearling colt was laying on the straw, with a little miniature horse. Under the dirt that completely coated the colt, blood was seeping from fresh whip wounds. Both were thin and filthy. As soon as Eddie took in what was within the stall, his normally open and friendly face darkened, his lips set in a hard, thin line. Turning quickly, he grabbed a passing stablehand. Get me the stable manager. And try and find the owner of these two horses. Now, if you don't mind. He released the stablehand, who scrambled off to do as he requested.

Commanding Achilles to sit and stay, Eddie opened the stall door, entering, and shutting it behind him. Cautiously he approached the pair, crouching down and reaching out a hand to the mini, seeing that this was the more healthy of the two and therefore the nearest threat. The colt looked weak, probably from the neglect and abuse. Eddie's face softened as he looked at the sad pair. It's okay now. No one will hurt you again. I'll see to that. He remained crouched on the floor, waiting for the stable manager to appear.

[arzu]

The stable hand rushed back with the barn manger but no owner, the owner is no where in site I do believe I watched him leave about ten minuets ago. The barn manger looked in the stall his mouth dropped, this horse needs to see a vet look at his breathing he looks like he’s having trouble. He shook his head hopefully someone will buy them and if not tomorrow we will have the vet come and check them out, looks like they left an envelope to send the check in and such. The barn manger shook his head and left he could not look at them any longer. These horses could be something amazing, they could have good lines and be amazing show horses. Yearling colt raised his crown and looked at the humans his eyes held that he wanted to greet them but he knew better he was afraid the man was going to run in and whip him again.

He raised his head as the man entered, his muzzle nuzzling his hand, his mini friend extending his own muzzle for a whiff of this new man and some attention. The colt pushed the man on his butt and then rested his head on his lap shutting his eyes. He was having trouble with his breathing and with it came a cough as he raised his head to work his lips back and forth making a puckering type noise, he was thirst he could not even remember the last time he had water. He put his head on the mans lap, shutting his eyes for some reason he felt safe around him.

[Serenade]

The colt placed his head in Eddie's lap and closed his eyes. Well, at least he wasn't terrified of humans after all this mistreatment. The mini was a stallion, but also seemed quite friendly, giving him a sniff before administering to his friend. Eddie didn't care about the dirt being rubbed into his jeans, and ran a gentle hand over the colt's cheek, jumping a bit when the stablehand arrived with the manager. The manager had obviously not seen the condition these two were in before the owner booked it out of here. Didn't matter now, Eddie was taking these two home, and would deal with the owner at a later date. The horses were more important at the moment.

Gently, he moved the colt's head off his lap. The stablehand had stuck around after the manager fled. In his hand was the envelope that held the info for the two horses. Rising, Eddie reached into his back pocket and started writing a check. Glancing up at the stablehand, he said, I'll take them. Give me the information and the price. The hand gave him the information he required, took the written the check and fled. Turning back to the sorry pair, Eddie sighed. The poor creatures. He looked down at the information. The yearling was a purebred Tennessee Walker, Due In Time. The miniature horse was Luck Of The Draw. Lucky for both of them. At least the colt was only a yearling, so Eddie would be able to move him onto his feet enough to get him onto the trailer.

He walked out of the stall, shutting the door and looking down at Achilles, who sat thumping his thick tail against the ground. Picking up the leash, he led the dog to the truck and trailer, allowing the canine to jump in before he drove it as close to the barn where the two were located as he was allowed. After lowering the ramp, he trotted back into the barn, snatching the two leads hanging on the door, quickly slipping back into the stall to clip on the leads. The mini should go first into the trailer, so the colt wouldn't be alone in the strange trailer alone, his friend would be there before hand. Come on, little one. You first. He clucked to the little horse before starting to walk him to the trailer, hoping he would cooperate so he could get Due up on his feet without having to worry about Luck.

[arzu]

Lucky gave his friend a parting whicker as he was lead out to the trail, his tangled and matted tail drug on the ground behind him. He walked with light and easy steps, seeing his feet hurt him and he was long past due for his feet trimming. He followed behind him and loaded into the trailer like a perfect gentleman. Despite being worried his friend was going to be left he relaxed with a slight ease knowing that this man was going to help them in either way. The tiny stallion whickered happy to be out and happy to know he was not going back. Due was worried as his friend was lead out, he wanted to go to he did not want to stay here and die in this pit! He shifted to try and stand but he could not and at his friends call he relaxed a little knowing that they were still here. He seemed to figure out there was a method behind how this new man was going about things.

He was slightly puzzled as he was use to things being done differently, he raised his head and flicked his ears back and forth catching the noises around the barn, it was so chaotic here that he would be happy to have some quiet and be able to get some food in his stomach. He shook his head again as a fly attempted to land on him, he snorted as his ears flopped, he was going to be a handsome young thing in no time, he just needed the tender love and care that went with it.

[Serenade]

Eddie sighed with relief as the little stallion went along happily. Both were in such need of intensive care. There was no excuse for something like this. Loading Luck into the trailer, he tied the mini to the inside, as he could hook the rope behind him to keep him in, and he still needed to get Due. Giving the little horse an affectionate scratch, Eddie turned back for Due, pondering how he was going to get the weak yearling into the trailer. He might need help, though he didn't know just yet.

Entering the stall once more, Eddie stood over Due before stooping and pulling his head up. Come on, Due. You have to get up. Lucky is waiting in the trailer, you're both coming home with me. Eddie pulled the yearling's head up and forward, hoping this would get him onto his feet. If he could get Due on his feet, then he would be able to get an arm underneath his belly to keep him up as he walked him to the trailer.

Eddie's mind was a whir of anger as he tried to get Due to his feet. There was no excuse or need for anything like this. They were perfectly good, sane, affectionate horses. They were defenseless animals. He had no idea what colors Luck and Due were, they were so coated in dirt and feces, though the papers he got did tell him. He would find the man that did this and bring him to justice. He would get pictures when he got home, to make sure there was evidence against him. But in the meantime, the horses were more important than seeking revenge.

[arzu]

Due snorted as his head was pulled up and forward, he stuck on leg out and then the other and heaved himself up. He shook and thought about the mans words but still could not understand them. But either way you did not have to tell this colt twice, he found his second wind and was up and out that stall door dragging the man down the aisle! To the trailer he went so he could be with his friend he just wanted to be with his friend, everything else could wait until later, the colt pushed himself to make it to the trailer and with one final push he loaded into the trailer and slumped against the wall at least something would hold him up. He lowered his head and touched noses with his friend before closing his eyes and waiting for the journey to begin.

[Serenade]

Surprise was written all over Eddie's face as Due hauled himself to his feet and nearly took off down the aisle to the trailer. Eddie had to trotted to keep up with the leggy colt, who seemed completely determined to find and be with Luck. With gently tugs and pulls he guided the colt to the trailer, and Due loaded himself, eager to be with Luck. Concern came over Eddie's face as Due slumped against the wall of the trailer, exhausted and weak. The man climbed in, checking the yearling to make sure he was alright enough to make it back to Maplewood. It wasn't too far, but far enough to cause Eddie come apprehension. But this was the easiest way to get him home, no way he would be able to walk that distance. Eddie could do it on Winchester, or Devan, but Due was too weak to do almost anything. They needed medical attention and some food and water. A good bath wouldn't hurt either of them as well.

Feeling a little better about Due's condition, Eddie shut and locked the trailer, making sure everything was secure before climbing into the driver's seat. He revved the engine of his truck, allowing people to see him and get out of his way. Achilles sat happily in the front beside him, head sticking out the window as he watched the people and horses go by, ready for the wind in his face. Shaking his head, Eddie made sure the way was clear before pulling out, bumping his way to the road that would lead the four of them home.