In Tom’s hardest bronco ride yet, he tries to let out his feelings of frustration and resentment. Due to the challenge the bay horse presents to him, Tom internally identifies it as his life's struggle. After Tom’s parents passed people like Blue Elk, Benny Grayback, Rowena Ellis, and Red Dillon tried to control him. They told him what to do, what to think, and how to live without ever letting him healthily express his feelings. Naturally all those negative and adverse emotions were bottled up in Tom until the moment the quote conveys. With rodeoing Tom finds a way to let or ride out his hurt and hates, not necessarily a healthy way but the only way he knows
