The Final Fence
The vet knew instantly what the sharp crack meant when the reigning champion chaser crashed to the ground at the fence beside which he was standing.
This was the worse part of his job. All he could do was ensure the animal suffered as little as possible.
He fired the humane killer’s bolt into the horse’s skull as soon as he was sure there was no other option. As he watched the animal slump to the ground, his own ribs suddenly felt as if they were being crushed by a giant vice.
After falling to the ground next to the horse, he watched in amazement as the animal began rising to its feet. When it trotted away, the pain in his chest lifted and he got up too and trudged after the horse.
People raced past them to where they had fallen, but the vet ignored them knowing he and the chaser had run their final races.