"Cassidy." I looked up into Wyatt's blue eyes. We've been arguing for almost an hour whether I'm still going to be bronc riding. He had both hands on my shoulders, holding me in place now.
"I don't want to lose you. I've already lost so much that I don't even have it. You're a part of the things I don't know if I could get back... I don't know what would happen to me if you didn't recover from that. I was the first one out there, trying to make sure you'd be ok.
"I don't want to lose you." He said. He pulled me close, letting my head rest on his chest. "I never want to lose you." He mumbled against my hair.
I let him hold me. I needed him to after what happened. I don't remember much of it except the horse rolling on me and me staring up into blankness. Then, being at the hospital.
He was there the entire night. Even when my parents told him he needed a short break, he wouldn't give in. "Come on, let's go inside."
Evergreen, CO
No broncs for the rest of the season. It's not the head injury I could have died from. It's the even bigger risk that could occur after the injury. I could be knocked out cold for weeks next time. Then die peacefully while not knowing what happened.
We pulled up to the grounds and parked. I jumped out of the truck quickly and started to unload the horses. They all pawed the trailer padding, wanting to stretch. Rylin helped by taking four, while I took the other four.
Both of us walked the horses around, stretching their legs. I began jogging with my four following. They trotted behind as I went to the small paddock.
Once there, I turned them loose. They ran around bucking and frolicking. I got up on the top rail holding their leads. Then I set them in the grass and jumped into the pen. Two came over, and I vaulted onto Tex's back.
I got up onto my knees as he trotted around. Then my feet. He started loping around. Roper came up to him in the opposite direction. I stepped onto Roper's back as he went by Tex. Dawson went behind Roper, and I jumped onto his back.
Then Luis came up in front of Dawson. I jumped onto his back and sat down riding him. All four were now lined up. I walked across their backs, each moving to the end so I could continue walking.
Finally, I did a backflip off the one I was on and landed on another's back. This is what I did in my free time at my parents' ranch. I could be a traveling horse show, but the boys love rodeoing more.
I spotted Rob applauding at my performance. Then I saw his parents coming up with his sister. I rode Luis to the side with the other three following behind. I dismounted as Rob started to hook leads to the boys.
"They look better than last year, Cassidy," Kelly told me. "Thanks. I've been working with them. All they need to work on is timing." I replied. Dawson nudged me with his head. Then nipped at my shirt.
I stopped to check him out. He nudged me again, this time rubbing the left side of his face on my jeans. I took his halter off and rubbed his coat the wrong way. It was red and irritated.
"I need to get him to the trailer to doctor his face," I told them as I slipped the lead around his neck, leaving his halter off. I took him back quickly and led him into the trailer.
I stalled him up to keep him from moving. Then got up so I could put the cream on his face. He rested his head on my leg. I rubbed the cream in and sat there watching what he'd do.
He's my sick baby horse. Ever since he was born, he'd gotten sick or anything easily. Worms had the medicine on hand. In any medical situation, he can get it, except for bloody injuries. Colic, he's had it twice.
His allergies are the worst. He has to have meds in his grain every morning. He's the one that I wouldn't put down, even though I've spent more money on him than all of my horses combined.
Luis is the healthiest out of my horses. He never gets sick, never gets an infection, never gets worms or even colic, no matter how much he's had to eat.
The other two just need vaccines and their good. Dawson winced as he readjusted his head.
I led him out and he lay down. I hated it when he was in his worst shape. "Allergies?" Rob asked, coming up. "No his face again." I told him. "What are you going to do about it? He's had a rough life already. He's in pain now. I think he needs to see a vet." He said.
I nodded. I got him to stand and led him over to the grass. He laid back down as I called the nearest vet. A few minutes later the vet pulled up. My five year old gelding was breathing lowly.
"Dr. Zatch." "Cassidy Smith." We introduced. "So what seems to be the problem?" He asked. I told him about what happened after we arrived up to finding the rash looking patch on Dawson's face.
He looked at it. "How's his medical records?" The vet asked. "Terrible. Has to have medicine every day for his allergies." The vet took a closer look at Dawson's face.
Then sighed. "The poor boy has suffered all his life?" He asked. I nodded knowing what was coming. "I'm sorry but he can't suffer anymore. I know you tried your best to keep him healthy, and I know what your thinking. I'd hate to do it."