The Iceman Cometh

~The Accident~

March 5, 2038. I had just led Next Stop back to his stall after a workout. It was his final workout before he shipped to Keeneland for his maiden. The Iceman came back from his workout in his usual sullen-looking way. He seemed to be tired, which disappointed me. I had thought The Iceman might turn out to be good, but at this rate, he might not even win a single race.

I heard the pounding of hooves and a yell.
"Look out!" a recently unseated rider called as he scrambled to his feet. It was too late, though. Like Before was flying down the shedrow, and there was only one thing in his way. Like Before didn't like having things in his way. He just smashed through horses when he wanted them to move. He did the same exact thing to the obstacle in front of him, The Iceman. The Iceman, in his customary fashion, was refusing to move. He didn't see the other colt coming, but his groom did. When the groom realized he couldn't do anything, he jumped out of the way. If he hadn't, he would have been killed. I lunged for Like Before's reins, but he darted away and resumed his panicked charge. He and the stubborn Iceman collided. Every eye on the farm within sight of the accident turned to look. Juddmonte's world fell silent.
~
I raced toward The Iceman as Like Before's rider reached him. He stopped and gasped, then ran toward the barn.
"You will help me with this, young man!" I yelled, furious at his cowardice.
"I don't know how, ma'am. I'm calling the main house."
If he's calling the main house, it must be bad, I thought.
I looked down and froze. The Iceman was blinking up at me, his eyes filled with helplessness. He was pinned underneath the bigger, heavier Like Before, who seemed to be either unconscious or dead. I knelt next to Like Before and listened for breathing. I heard it and was relieved that he was not dead. The next step was to relieve The Iceman of the burden on top of him. Then I saw The Iceman's left front leg. It was most definitely broken.
~
Like Before was rushed to Rood & Riddle Veterinary Clinic. They were able to save him,, and thought that gelding him would calm him down and prevent further accidents. Mr. Mott decided to pay to have him fixed after consulting Mr. Grinthorpe, who made all decisions involving Juddmonte horses in the USA.

The Iceman escaped the situation unscathed except for his broken leg, but the vet assured it would heal fine. The Iceman had now gained what almost seemed a hatred for all others of his kind, trying to bite every horse that came by his stall. With humans, though, he was the most docile, loyal, calm colt I had ever seen.