MY LESSONS BEGIN

Chapter-2

I was no longer a colt. With the passage of time I was getting all the more attractive and stronger. I was endowed with a deep black and bright coat. The white star on the forehead made me more attractive. Obviously, I was too proud of my appearance. A small white patch remained on my back that continued till my hind feet.
My exotic looks increased my value among horse buyers. My master was proud of owning me. But he thought that I was not supposed to go anywhere unless and until I was four. He was too kind and too careful about his colts and horses. He could not let his colts toil like big horses.
Finally, I was broken in in my fourth year. I had to be trained to support a rider on my back. It was a hard way ahead till I got used to the tack, I should wear; or I could pull a carriage or understand my master’s commands, as a grown-up and loyal horse would do. Another disadvantage was that my master was not much concerned about my weary limbs or my empty stomach. When I was being broken in, my happiness knew no bounds when I heard my master boasting of me. I listened to the conversation with rapt attention when he said, “I can’t allow anyone to break in the horse. I hate to frighten or hurt such a loyal and tidy horse.”
Wearing a bit and a bridle was not less than a nightmare for me but I soon got used to the disgraceful thing.
The bit was a metallic strap which was to be attached inside my mouth and was connected to leather straps that held the bit against my mouth, ran over my head, proceeding around my throat and my chin.
I had often seen mother with the bit and the bridle. I used to wonder her tolerance against such disgusting material. The pain it inflicted was really intolerable. But still, it was less than that of the other horses, the reason being my kind-hearted master. He handled me with much care. Soon after the hard job, I was served with oats.
I was happy that my master appreciated my tolerance. That made the agony much lesser.
After I had got on well with the bit and the bridle, the saddle was put over my back. This was not so bad. And then, there were loads of oats as well. So I remained silent all through for the delicious oats and corns.

After some days, I managed to co-operate with the bit, the bridle and the saddle as well. Soon thereafter, my master started riding on me. I found it strange to have such a heavy person on my back. But still, I was proud of myself because my master was proud of me.
My mother told me that I had the most nasty things to encounter with in the coming weeks. “Don’t worry, boy! You will soon learn to live with all this,” she consoled me now and then.
Next day, I was led to a farrier, where iron shoes had to be fitted on my hooves. The farrier cut off a part of my hooves and replaced them by hard iron pieces that were nailed to my feet.
Next, there came the harness and the blinkers. The harness was a stiff collar that was put round my neck and the blinkers were attached to the sides of eyelids which made me unable to see at the sides.
I hated if anyone fiddled with my tail. When a small saddle and a stiff leather strap were attached under my tail, I kicked about with anger. But I prevented myself from kicking my master.
That evening, my master came up to me and said, “Now, you are perfectly ready to pull a carriage. I hope you will come out to be a good, loyal and an attentive horse.” I simply nodded with affection and with the sense of loyalty.

In the beginning, I was paired with my mother who taught me how to trot well or gallop well and to follow the commands of the rider.
I was sent to a farmer for a few days for a change. The field he owned was lined by railway tracks on one side. Besides horses and ponies, there were cows and sheep. It was a terrifying experience for me when I saw a train pass by: puffing and whistling throughout. I was astonished to see that cows and sheep didn’t much care about that lengthy nuisance. So, I finally understood that the vehicle won’t harm me. After some days, I even stopped caring about the noisy trains.
Mother used to tell me about different types of masters I could come across in future. Once she said, “You will see for yourself that there are a variety of masters around. Some may treat you lovingly while others may be brutal and ruthless. But the conditions you need to make for yourself depend on how you co-operate with your masters. If you are loyal and quick, you can have a better life. You should learn to adjust with the prevailing conditions.”
I knew quite well why she had been giving me such lessons. I was now going to be sold; it was important for me to know about the humanity outside this home-meadow.

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