[Phase One]Dramatic Arrival

Raya sat beneath the shade of the orchard, listening to the breeze rustle the leaves above her head. She'd closed her eyes to get a bit of rest before the arrival of a new critter. Having been up since 4am preparing and cleaning up the empty stall and dumping feed and making sure everything was perfect, she was absolutely exhausted. One of the resident barn cats had curled up by her boot, napping in a beam of sun filtering through the leaves. 

A buzz from her phone stirred them both awake. Raya snatched her phone up wide-eyed, hoping it was the text she'd been waiting on. 

“Here”. The phone displayed. 

She jumped up, boots scratching in the dirt as she stood. She snatched up her bag and began jogging towards the mare barn. 

Bang!

The sound of hooves on metal echoed throughout the valley as the young lady neared. ‘That’s got to be mine.’ 

The man driving the trailer was standing at the tailgate of his truck, looking tired and worried. Raya called a quick greeting and offered him a handshake, which he accepted. 

“Good evening miss Raya. I say, this little horse has thrown quite the fit on her way here. I was aware she didn't like trailering but this was.. far worse than I'd imagined.” 

Raya gritted her teeth. “Yea, she's been described as a handful. I haven't actually met her yet.. sorry about your trailer.”

The driver put his hand up. “No worries, believe me this ol’ thing has seen worse. I hauled fresh-caught mustangs in it for years, it can take a kickin’.” 

A series of kicks and stomps interrupted them, clearly letting them know she was ready to be removed. 

As the trailer door opened, Raya gasped. The mare had kicked at the barrier enough that the protective padding had fallen off and she'd lodged her left hind leg into it at some point. She'd luckily managed to free herself without a break, but a long gash had opened up on her leg. Scarlet blood dripped from the flesh and the same ankle was swollen. 

“Oh you poor dumb thing.. what could've happened to make you this desperate.” 

“Let's get her off here quickly.” The man rushed onto the trailer, talking softly to the unnamed mare to not alarm her more. He lifted the bolt out of the divider and locked it back, then pulled the rope off her to untie her. The mare, who'd been standing relatively still since the gate opened, sat back and pulled away from the man. He jumped back in time to avoid her lightening quick strike-out. Frantic, she turned and launched herself out of the trailer. Raya dodged just in time to avoid being trampled, but failed to grab onto the lead to secure her. The mare galloped from the trailer and past the fence, gaining the attention of a curious chestnut mare and a black mare with her colt. She stopped short of the arena fence, snorting. She held her injured leg under herself, sweat dripping from her, sides heaving desperately for air. 

  Raya had lost her footing jumping back and landed in the grass off the path. As she stood back up and began walking after the mare she shook her head. “What on earth happened to you..” 

The mare jumped as Raya came into her sight. She turned to face her, breathing less heavily now. The lead hung in front of her, swinging slightly. She cautiously allowed Raya to approach her, alert. 

  The young lady reached out to her shoulder, patting her and shushing her. “Easy girl, easy..” she snatched the lead up and wiggled the rope. The horse took a step back, further relaxing and allowing the stranger to pat her. She put her head down and relaxed. 

  “That's it, come on now. Let's get that leg looked at.” Raya said. 

  As she was leading her back, she noticed the transported guy had left. She patted the mare as she walked. That was the last time she'd hurt herself in a trailer. Raya would make sure of it.