Renegade the Colt

Story of a young horse murdered by greed.

The air suddenly became filled with the sound that Renegade had never heard before. It came out of nowhere and Cherokee, his mama, shouted for him to run. The herds were all in a panic as the big metal thing came chasing after them. Frantic filled the air from the older horses as they started running and scampering over the land. Renegade had never seen this before and he was frightened but did as Cherokee told him. He started running as fast as his legs could carry him, but being so young, his legs were not as well developed as the older horses.

What was this thing that came out of nowhere, and why was it chasing him? Renegade did not have time to ask but ran. The others were heading for the bigger lands, dodging the noisy machine flying above their heads. Fear was etched on the faces of the older horses as they had seen this before. Some had escaped it from the past, but here it was again, chasing them. Why? What was the reason they were being chased and made to run away from this machine?

The enormous machine swooped down as if to hit the horses. The machine was turning and causing the air to be filled with dust. The operators of the machine tried to dodge the horses and cause them to turn towards another direction. The lead horses were running fast, and they tried to fight off the machine. As they ran, the machine kept chasing ever closer, as if to attack them.

Renegade was frightened because his mama could not watch him. He cried for Cherokee, but she had to run and when she looked back to check on him, she stumbled and fell. Cherokee regained her composure and raced on with the other horses. Renegade was close, but still struggling to keep up. Only four months old, he was not used to having to run like this. Cherokee had never warned him or said anything about a big machine chasing them. Renegade was used to mornings of enjoying the other younger horses but also being with Cherokee.

Peace on the frontier was always laid back. Renegade and Cherokee would stroll with the others. His father was Thor, the leader of the herd. They spent the days searching for water and places to rest. Renegade would scamper to play with the other young horses, but always kept Cherokee insight.

It had snowed on the plains and the ground was frozen, which made for harsh walking. Food and water were scarce, so the herd would wander, trying to find their daily needs. Renegade was just one of a handful of young colts and fowls born within the last six months. They were learning from their parents about how to survive. But nothing could prepare them for this day and what was suddenly thrust on them. They had never seen this thing in the sky before. What was it trying to do? Why was it chasing them and trying to hurt them? They were not mean horses or a threat to anything, but now they were running at a full gallop, trying to escape.

At one point Renegade saw his father, Thor, rise on his hind legs to attack the thing. Thor tried to attack the machine and let it be known he was angry. Thor was the leader of the group and was not willing to give up his family. He thrashed mightily into the air, but the machine could dodge Thor’s thrusts. So onward they ran to avoid the chase of the machine.

As Renegade ran, he suddenly felt a twinge of pain in his left front leg. He winced and cried to Cherokee but could not stay with her. He ran further, but the pain became too much for running, so he slowed to a walk. Cherokee looked back but could not turn around.

Renegade wandered alone as the herd ran over the hills to escape the machine. But one machine was not letting him alone and kept swooping down over him. As he tried to walk slowly, he suddenly saw two humans on horses riding up to him. Maybe he thought they might try to help him, but he found out too late.

The humans rode up and as Renegade tried to walk away; they grabbed him, wrestling him to the ground. Tying a rope around his neck, the riders led Renegade to a waiting trailer. As pain shot through his leg, he was being led to what would be his final ride.

Placing him in the trailer, Renegade would be forced to stand for the journey to the pens, where he would be euthanized because he was no longer of value. His injury caused by the big machine in the sky and the riders, did not matter.

Then suddenly it was over as they euthanized Renegade. Cherokee looked back for her baby but only saw him being wrestled to the ground by humans placing a rope around his neck.

Cherokee ran with Thor to avoid the machines. Her heart was now broken as Renegade was no longer with them, being led by humans to his fate.

Renegade was but four months old and now his life will only fill the sky with thoughts of him running like others.

Why was his life ended so soon? Why was there no concern for his safety as well as the others? Questions that will linger inside the hearts of many that watched him on the open fields, but just a memory.

Renegade will live on in the hearts of those who saw him, and may his death bring changes to a world that should not be. A world of terror from humans and machines that try to rid the plains of the mighty wild horses.

May you rest in peace Renegade as your life ending so soon will not be forgotten. Ride the open skies and cherish that you no longer have to live in fear. Your parents will join you one day as Thor and Cherokee live on, but with sadness. Tears will fall from heaven on those that loved you.

Run Renegade and live for evermore.