SEBASTIAN
The sound of excited laughter fills the air as Avery, my client for the day, gallops around the paddock on a chestnut mare named Copper who I selected especially for the birthday girl.
Beside me, leaning against the paddock fence are Avery’s parents, Kristen and Toby Henderson, who visited the resort on vacation last year, and were so impressed they’ve returned for their daughter’s thirteenth birthday.
Avery had only ridden once before, last year when her family vacationed here, but she’s a natural, and commands Copper easily and gently.
“I think we’re about ready to go out on the trail,” I say, looking over at Avery who has increased Copper’s pace to a steady canter. “Are you sure I can’t persuade you to join us?”
“Oh no, we’re not horse people,” Kristen says with a shake of her head. “We’ll just stay here and grab a coffee or something.”
“Okay, well I’ll take Avery out for about an hour, so feel free to head into the resort. Lunch service won’t start for another couple of hours yet, but there should be coffee and other light refreshments.”
“Thank you, we’ll see you later,” Toby says, then calls out to his daughter. “Me and your mom are going now. Enjoy your ride!”
“Thanks Daddy!” Avery calls back, gently tugging Copper’s reins so the mare comes to a stop beside the gate where me and her parents stand.
“Oh, let me just get a picture before we go,” Kristen says, pulling out her phone and taking some photos.
“I’ll go saddle up while you say bye to Avery,” I tell the Henderson’s.
I head to the stable, where my reliable dapple-grey gelding Shadowfax awaits me.
Even though the colouring is slightly different, I couldn’t resist naming the horse after Gandalf’s legendary steed in The Lord of the Rings, and Shadowfax has proven himself to be a worthy namesake for the ‘Lord of all horses.’ He was the last birthday gift my parents ever brought for me, shortly before their tragic deaths, and along with Lana, was one of the few constants that got me through the difficult period of grief.
Shadowfax was only two when I got him, making him seven now, and as horses live to between twenty-five to thirty years, we have a long, happy future ahead of us.
When Shadowfax is saddled up and ready to go, I lead him out of the stable, and to the paddock, where Avery on Copper waits, still chatting to her parents.
Shadowfax lets out a whiney when he sees Copper, they know each other well, as Copper is my go-to horse for simple trails, like the one I’ll be riding with Avery.
“Okay, we’re all set,” I tell Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. They say bye to Avery again, and then walk through the ranch, heading in the direction of the resort.
I climb easily onto Shadowfax’s back, and then turn to Avery. “Are you ready to go?”
The birthday girl grins at me. “Absolutely.”
I open the gate to the paddock and lead the way out.
“We’ll keep things simple, as it’s only your second time on a horse,” I say, lightly cantering on Shadowfax’s back through the ranch, and to the direction of one of my most used trails.
Most of the clients I get are first time or occasional riders.
Of course, we get more experienced equestrians visiting too, but many of the seasoned riders have their own horses and stables.
I have a number of go-to horses and trails suited for various low-level riders and trails, and then a couple of special animals for the more experienced riders.
The trail I take Avery on passes through a small, wooded area, before coming out to the beach, where we can canter unobstructed for about a mile, before we turn around and return to the ranch.
As we ride through the wooded area, Avery chatters to Copper as though they’re lifelong friends, and as she does, I get lost in my thoughts.
An image of Lana appears in my mind, naked and her skin glowing from a post sex sheen of sweat.
God, she looked beautiful. In the five years we’ve been apart, Lana’s body has filled out a little and gotten even curvier.
Her breasts are large and soft, and she has a small, rounded stomach, as well as a full ass.
Absolute perfection. She’s always been shapely -- having started puberty early when she was eleven -- and before we got together in our late teens, boys at school commented on her body.
I got into more than one fight due to ‘classmates’ making lewd remarks about her.
Reconnecting with Lana in a physical sense was like reuniting with a lost limb.
A part of me that’s been absent for five years has finally returned, and I intend never to let her go again.
I know it’s early days, and so much could change as we continue getting to know each other again, but for me, Lana has always been the one.
Now that I have this second chance, I’m not going to lose her again.
My thoughts snap back to the present as Avery, and I come out onto the beach.
The tide is out, and there are plenty of people playing in and on the sand.
Thankfully, I insisted a special horse lane be fenced off, and because the Braddock Resort brings so much money to East Hampton, the mayor had no choice but to agree to my request. Now, I know I can take someone out on a horse at any time of the day, and this area of the beach will always be unobstructed.
As we get onto the clear area of the beach, I turn and call to Avery, “We can go a little faster, if you want?”
Avery beams back at me. “Yes please!”
“Okay, just gently nudge Copper in the flank with your leg. She’s been well trained to recognize the command and will increase her pace. When you want her to slow again, relax your body and gently pull on the reins.”
“Got it,” Avery replies.
I direct Shadowfax to stay still so Avery and Copper can go on ahead, and I can observe the girl.
Avery lightly taps Copper with her legs, and the mare increases her pace to a steady canter.
When they get halfway along the path, I tap Shadowfax to increase his pace, too, and he races to catch up with Avery.
Soon, the two of us are riding side-by-side, the horses obeying our commands, as we reach the end of the fenced off area.
Avery pulls on Copper’s reins to get her to slow, and I do the same with Shadowfax. Then, we turn the horses, and gently trot with them back across the beach, and to the wooded path that leads to the ranch.
“How did you find that?” I ask Avery as we come to the end of the beach.
“Really good. Thank you. Copper is a wonderful horse, and you’re a great teacher.”
“Thank you. She’s one of my best. If you want, when we get back to the ranch, you can rub her down and give her an apple.”
Both Copper and Shadowfax’s ears twitch at the mention of an apple.
“Yes, you’ll get a treat too,” I tell my horse, stroking him affectionately on the head, between the ears.
We’re gently walking through the woods, me and Shadowfax leading the way, when a harmless garter slithers onto the path.
Usually, my horse is good with snakes, and slows to let them pass.
But, for whatever reason, this specific snake spooks Shadowfax, and he lets out a panicked whinny and rears up on his hind legs.
I gently pull on the reins. “It’s okay, boy,” I say calmingly.
The commotion startles Copper, who starts walking backwards, and Avery lets out a panicked cry. “What should I do?”
“Turn around if you can and lead her back to the beach. I’ll come to you in a moment.”
I continue to try and calm Shadowfax as Avery turns Copper around and heads off to the beach, but my gelding won’t relax and rears up again, throwing me from the saddle.
I land with a hard thud on the path, and the garter slithers away in a panic. It likes us even less than we like the snake right now, and it vanishes into the overgrowth.
I try to grab Shadowfax’s reins, but his nostrils flare and his eyes widen, and then, he lets out an ear-splitting scream, as he twists his ankle.
My heart stops as my beloved horse collapses to the floor, and I see a bone jutting through the skin.
This is not a good sign. Horses are built differently from humans, with heavy bodies and light leg bones.
When bones break, it often means they shatter.
And it's almost impossible to surgically reconstruct the fractured leg.
Especially compound fractures, where a broken bone penetrates through the skin.
Time seems to move in slow motion as I get out my phone and call the vet, who says he will be straight here. Knowing I can’t leave Avery alone, I call Ryan at the resort, and ask him to meet me at the beach. I don’t want the birthday girl seeing an injured horse.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I tell Shadowfax, reaching down to pat his face.
He is breathing heavily now, and his eyes have rolled back in his head. As I look down at my beloved companion, I feel my heart shatter.
Trying to push the grief aside, I rush to the beach, where Avery on Copper is waiting patiently at the start of the trail.
“What happened? Where’s your horse?”
“I’m sorry, there was an accident. Shadowfax is injured.”
Avery’s eyes widen. “Will he be okay?”
“I don’t know,” I say, feeling numb. “The vet is on their way, and my brother Ryan will be here soon to take you back to your parents. I’m so sorry your birthday ride had to end like this, and please let your parents know I will offer a full refund if they wish.”
“No, don’t worry about that. I’ll tell them it wasn’t your fault. I just want Shadowfax to be okay.”
“Thank you, Avery.”
Ryan arrives shortly after, and I explain the situation to him.
He says he will take Avery back to the resort where her parents wait and let them know what’s happened.
I don’t even need to mention a refund or anything of the sort to my brother.
He is the most professional out of the five of us and will do anything to make sure business goes well.
I know Avery and her parents will be well taken care of.
Ryan will probably write off the cost of the birthday lunch, and will likely offer them free dessert, too.
When Avery leaves with Ryan, I climb onto Copper’s back.
Knowing I will only spook the mare if I ride her through the wooded area past an injured Shadowfax, I take a more precarious route through the trees.
It’s okay though, as Copper is a well-trained horse, and handles the difference in terrain well.
We get back to the ranch, and I de-saddle Copper as quickly as possible. She will need a full rub down later, but right now, my focus is getting back to Shadowfax. I lead Copper into her stable, and make sure she has fresh water and food, as well as a crisp, juicy apple.
“Thank you for being such a good girl,” I tell the horse, as I extend the apple to her. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
With Copper safe and secure, I race through the ranch, and to the woodland path, where the vet is carefully loading Shadowfax into their trailer.
“How bad is it, Mike?” I ask the vet. We’ve worked together for years; he’s the best vet in the area and has plenty of experience with horses.
As we know each other so well, he knows not to bullshit me, and hangs his head sadly. “Not good I’m afraid, Sebastian. You know what a break like this means.”
I bow my head. I was scared this would be the outcome, but I don’t want to see Shadowfax suffer any more than he already is.
“Can I come with you, to say goodbye?”
“Of course,” Mike says.
I climb into the back of the trailer with Shadowfax and pat my horse gently.
Mike must have given the gelding some drugs, because his heart rate and breathing seem normal again.
Shadowfax opens his eyes, staring at me with blue orbs.
Somehow, my horse seems to know what’s happening and his gaze tells me he’s making peace with his fate.
When we get to the vet’s building, Mike and I carry Shadowfax into an examination room, and Mike performs an x-ray.
As I wait for the results, I call Lana. I need to hear her voice. I know she won’t be able to do anything to help right now, but still, just speaking to her will help.
The phone rings, and rings, and rings, but nobody answers. Eventually, I figure Lana is busy with the refurbishments, and leave her a message.
“Call me back as soon as you can, please. Shadowfax needs to be euthanized.”
Mike steps out into the hallway with the x-ray, and even without him telling me, I can see how bad the break is.
The bone in Shadowfax’s leg has completely fractured, splintering into several different parts, the largest of which has pierced his skin.
To even think about performing surgery is out of the question.
Fractures like this don’t heal, and Shadowfax would likely be in great amounts of pain for the rest of his life.
The only humane thing that can be done is give him a dignified, peaceful end.
I suck in a deep breath, feeling the tears welling in my eyes. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Mike nods solemnly and leads me back into the examination room where Shadowfax lays on the table. He looks so calm and serene now, but I know it’s only the drugs.
I carefully approach Shadowfax, and gently stroke his head. “I’m so, so sorry,” I whisper.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Mike administering the medication that will stop Shadowfax’s heart.