Because She's My Horse Girl

Colic

“Get his eye on the jump! Give him something to focus on!” Brooklyn my coach of 10 years yelled as I turned Smoke to the next jump in our course, which just so happened to be a six-foot-wide four-foot-tall triple bar combination that we have been struggling with for the past few months. I kept my eyes on the jump, then looked up and to the next jump in the combination.

I got ready to 2-point, Smoke was about to take off for the first jump; everyone in the barn looked at us in anticipation, curious as to whether Smoke will refuse it like he normally does. Spoiler alert, Smoke stopped and I fell over his neck taking his bridle off with me as I fell. I lay on the sand floor taking a deep breath in and out before getting back up and putting Smoke’s bridle back on while Brooklyn walked over to us.

“You okay?” she asked. “Yeah. A bit frustrated, but yeah.” I said patting Smoke’s neck and letting him know it was okay. “Go untack, were done for the day. I’ll see you again tomorrow,” Brooklyn said knowing that that was what was best for both Smoke and me. “Alright. See you tomorrow,” I replied leading Smoke to the crossties in the main aisle of the section he was stabled in.

“It’s okay bud, we’ll try again tomorrow,” I said to Smoke brushing the sweat out of his black coat. After a few moments, Smoke started to get antsy, trotting in place. “Easy buddy, you’re okay. No one’s going to hurt you.” I said trying to calm him down. I soon realized that it didn’t work and he was starting to panic. I took a deep breath and started to quietly sing a song that I used to sing to him when I first got him and he didn’t trust me yet.

“You're okay

You're alright

I'll never, ever leave your side

I will stay and I will fight

For you

Aah aah aah

Aah aah aah

You're okay

You're alright

I'll stay here through the darkest night

All the way, I will fight

For you”

(I ADJUSTED THE LYRICS A TINY BIT SO INSTEAD OF 'WITH YOU' ITS 'FOR YOU’)

I finished singing and pressed my head against Smokes. “See, nothing to be scared of,” I told him as he snorted. “Um, excuse me?” I heard a somewhat deep voice say from behind me. I jumped a bit, startled at the sudden noise. I turned around to examine who the voice belonged to. It was a tall, lean boy with broad shoulders, well-built arms, and a muscular frame.

He had narrow, hazel-colored eyes with cat-like pupils. He also had black hair that was messy and spikes upward with a  fringe on his right side that partially covered his eye. “Can I help you?” I asked untying Smoke and putting him in his stall making sure Jim, one of the stable hands had given him fresh water, hay, and grain while we were riding. “One of the horses is lying out in the field. It looks as though he’s sweating and is in pain.” the boy told me.

“Shit. Um, stay here for one second.” I said running off to Sierra telling her to see if Brooklyn had already left and if not then to tell her to go to the pasture Hades’ was currently in, already knowing it was him considering he’s coliced four times in the past month. I grabbed Hades’ halter from its hook and ran back to the boy who was standing there confused.

“Long story short the horse could die, I need you to come to help me try to get him up,” I said starting to run out of the barn door. “NOW!” I yelled at him as he was just standing there. “Right, sorry.” He replied and quickly followed. I slid through one of the slots in the fence and looked around to see where Hades’ was. He was in the very back with 1 boy around him, waiting for someone to get there and help Hades’.

I ran as fast as I could over to him, sliding past the boy when I reached him. “I swear to god Hades, you can’t leave her, not now,” I muttered so only Hades would hear it as I picked his head up carefully and slipped his halter on. “One of you grab his tail and pull when I tell you to,” I said to the four boys. Both of them looked away from me and Hades, not wanting to help.

“I SWEAR TO GOD! THIS HORSE COULD DIE IF ONE OF YOU DOESN'T MOVE YOUR ASS AND HELP, SO DO AS I TELL YOU NOW!” I yell at the boys standing up and pulling on the lead rope attached to Hades’ halter, trying to get him up. “She left already. I called both her and the vet, what do you need me to do?” Sierra said panting as she ran over. “Get these assholes away from Hades and then grab his tail and pull as hard as you can,” I said still trying to get Hades up. “On it. ALL OF YOU MOVE NOW UNLESS YOU’RE GOING TO HELP!”

Sierra yelled at the boys while pulling on Hades’ tail. The boys then decided that they wanted to help and each took a small step foward. “What can-” the boy from earlier started, but I cut him off. “Their's a hose, a bucket, and a few sponges over by the gate. Fill the bucket about halfway and bring the sponges over. Start gently dabbing his legs, chest, and head with the sponge. It’ll help calm him down.” I said calmly for the first time I had met these boys. The black-haired boy ran off and did as I asked.

“What about me?” The two-toned-haired boy asked. “The vet and his owner should be here soon. Go stand by the entrance of the riding area and have them follow you here.” I said to him, and he soon ran to do as I asked. “Y/n. he’s starting to try and get up,” Sierra said watching his legs. “Come on boy. You can’t leave her,” I repeated to Hades, encouraging him. He pulled his legs under and started to stand, fully standing after a few moments.

“YES!! Good boy!” I shouted to Hades. I then slowly started to walk him to the gate, the rest of the boys and Sierra following us. The black-haired boy finally reached us. He started to put the water on his chest and head, walking next to me. “We got to get him to the entrance then keep him moving while we wait for the vet,” I told him. “Alright. Is there anything else we can do?” He replied. “Other than help me get him back up if he goes back down? No, not really.” I told him. “Alright.” He said. After that, we both went quiet, focusing on Hades. “What’s your name?” He broke the silence. “L/n, Y/n. Your’s?” I replied to him. “Kuroo, Tetsurō.”