Rocketman

Chapter 4: The Fall

Nighttime had rolled in with the passing hours. After the visit was over, Josie took Riley back to their house. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson were fast asleep in their bedroom. Rocket the red mare was lying down in her field, feeling the miserable pain in her old, aching feet. She'd had a lot of good miles put on her years ago. She remembered. Her old life felt so exhilarating! She recalled when she was young and attractive. Meeting Mr. Davidson would soon lead to the best days of her life. She didn't quite understand what he was saying the day she went home with him, but he made many approving nods and gestures toward her. She didn't blame him. At the time, she was really well put together. She was strong, fast, and held herself with such boldness, confidence, and energy.

She was bred for speed.

Shortly after going home with Mr. Davidson, a young human with long hair that matched Rocket's coat color ran up to her with such joy. Rocket remembers getting a big hug on the face. While restricting, she didn't mind. She was happy.

The girl was soon put on her back. Rocket was kind though. While built for running fast, the considerate mare never took off without first receiving her cue. The girl took her slow around a series of barrels. First, at a slow walk. Next, a ta gentle jog. Reaching to a faster trot a couple weeks later. Lastly, at a neat canter.

Then, the moment Rocket had patiently waited for. She could feel it about to happen. The excited yet nervous girl had her body leaned forward. The reins were reasonably taught. Her legs shivered against the mare's sides. Her breathing was rapid. Rocket kept still until her moment came. She faced the set of three barrels. She had her pattern memorized, and she was ready for whatever would happen.

Clap!

The pressure on her sides told Rocket it was time. She threw her back feet beneath her, tucked in her rear, and pushed with such force. Rocket only did her job, expecting the girl on her back to do her own job and hold on.

One barrel.

Two barrels.

Three barrels.

She turned hard, keeping her footing. Then, she ran back to where she started, giving it all she had.

Rocket knew it was over when she felt pressure on her mouth. She screeched to a stop, hearing the girl on her back laughing.

She did good.

Rocket did her job well, and whenever it was required of her. Most of the time, she did her work in the vast fields at her home. Every now and then however, Rocket was loaded into a trailer and taken somewhere different. An arena full of people watching her, and a bunch of other horses. It was a stressful environment, but even there Rocket did her job. Sometimes not as well as other horses. Sometimes better than other horses. Sometimes the best of every horse there.

One of these days was not a good day though. Most days the girl on her back, who steadily grew as young humans tend to do, did something wrong. Or maybe Rocket did something wrong. She didn't know. All she knew as that, all of a sudden, the weight on her back was gone after she had taken a particularly sharp turn. Remembering her training, she stopped and faced the girl. Other people ran up to the fallen human to help. One person took hold of Rocket's reins, not that they needed to. Rocket would remain perfectly still unless instructed otherwise. The girl eventually got up, crying and holding her arm.

After that, the girl never rode Rocket again. Occasionally the child of a next-door-neighbor would ask to ride or pet her. That was it though. Rocket stood in a pasture, eating and sleeping. The girl would sometimes come back, a little older than last time, to give Rocket a treat or pet her. The first few times, Rocket had desperately hoped that the girl would saddle her and let her gallop. Nowadays though, she could barely take a step without wanting to fall over.

 Rocket knew her days were numbered. She closed her eyes that night, reminiscing until she fell asleep. Hoping one day, she would be able to go back to the way things were.