When she reached his back left leg Jerry spoke up. “That’s the hoof we think is giving Ace trouble.”

She bent to pick up the hoof. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Doc move forward to have a look himself. Before she could tell him to back off or grab hold of the horse’s leg, Ace kicked out, hitting her right in the thigh, and moved his big body, blocking her from Doc’s approach. Sarah went down hard, clutching her thigh, tears streaming down her face.

Jerry moved forward and Ace shifted again, just missing stepping on her as she lay on the ground holding her throbbing leg. The intense pain radiated up her hip and back and down to her foot.

All the men moved then. To save herself, Sarah called out, “Stop.”

Thankfully everyone froze.

Ace stood very close, still and watchful.

Sarah took the opportunity to roll onto all fours. She pressed up to her feet. No small feat; the pain seared up and down her leg. “Doc, are you stupid or simply hard of hearing? I told you to stay back.”

His eyes went wide. “You’re blaming me.” He pointed to his chest, not one bit sorry for what he’d caused. “You have no business being around this animal.”

“You arrogant son of a bitch! Back off.” Sarah wiped away the tears and slowly limped to Ace’s front. He lowered his head and looked at her as if to say he was sorry for what happened. Sarah met his eyes as well and stepped close and hugged his neck, letting him know she understood he only wanted to protect her.

It took some serious strength and nerve to slowly walk to his back left leg again. Her hands shook, but she bent to pick up the hoof. Ace stood completely still and allowed Sarah her inspection. Sarah cleaned the hoof and took great pains to inspect it carefully, even though her crouched position hurt like hell. She filed down a rough spot and checked Ace’s shoe to make sure it was secure and properly placed. She slowly lowered Ace’s hoof and stood, taking the weight off her battered leg.

“Jerry, Ace has a small soft spot on the bottom of the hoof. Probably just a stone that had been stuck at one time but is now gone. It’s really nothing.”

“That’s what we thought. Thanks for checking, Sarah.”

“Sure, no problem. Now, let’s get a good look at the cut on his hindquarter.” Sarah inspected the cut and decided, while most of it was superficial and would heal by itself, there was a spot at the end that had gone deep enough to need a few stitches. She walked over to Doc’s bag and took out what she needed. Without a word, she wiped all the equipment down with alcohol swabs, found the medicine she needed to numb the area, and a fresh syringe. The vet stood by glaring with his arms folded across his chest. A stout man with a wide middle, white hair, and ruddy cheeks, he reminded her of one of those garden gnomes. All he needed was a white beard, little green suit, and a pointed hat.