Running for Home

Michael's heart was racing and he was breathing hard. Doc's neck was arched and he was prancing like he knew he had just done a good job. It was the best barrel pattern they had ever run, and Michael knew it! Apparently Doc did too, from the way he was acting. Michael had no idea running barrels was so fast, terrifying, exciting, and so much work.
Michael had been practicing the barrel pattern so he could learn from Doc. Boy, did he ever learn on Doc today! He and Doc had spent some time on the trail, and finished their ride by going to the barrels in the arena. He was still going around them at a canter, and he had begun to feel very confident. On his last barrel run for the day, he decided to give Doc his head and let him run as fast as he wanted to go. WOW!
As Michael had lined him up with the third barrel to begin his run just like Mr. Bradley had taught him, he had leaned forward, given Doc the reins and said, "Let's go, Big Guy". That was all Doc needed. He jumped so hard taking off that he broke the leather strap holding his breast collar in place, which was the least of Michael's worries. He had never seen the first barrel come and go so fast. About the time Michael was set to make the turn, it was over and Doc was on his way to the second barrel. As they spun around it, Michael lost a stirrup, and was almost left in the dirt as the big red horse took aim on the last barrel. Michael didn't know how he managed to stay on Doc's back, (it might have had something to do with one of those angels that Aunt Maggie was always talking about) but he did. As he saw the third barrel coming closer, he managed to find his stirrup just in time to set up for the final turn. Once Doc had turned the last barrel, he kicked in a gear that Michael didn't even know he had for the run "home". By the time Michael managed to get the big horse stopped, his eyes were watering from the speed of the run! Michael was pretty sure his face must have looked like those astronaut's faces did on lift off when they were pulling some G's. As the impact of what had just happened sunk in, because it was all over in less than 16 seconds, Michael's breathing began to slow a little but not his heartbeat. The excitement he felt was unbelievable! He didn't want to repeat the ride again today, but he knew he would the next time he rode Doc. He had never felt so alive in his life. It was the most awesome feeling he had ever experienced. Michael began to pat Doc and brag on him. Mr. Bradley had taught him that horses are very perceptive animals and they can tell by your actions, body language, and the sound of your voice if you are praising them or are unhappy with them. It must have been true because Doc pranced all the way back to the barn. Michael even liked the prancing. He couldn't help it, he began to repeat, "Yeah, we're bad, we're bad," until he dismounted to take Doc's saddle off at the barn.
When he dismounted, Doc was still pumped up and reached out and pushed Michael with his head. It was something the big horse always did with Susan when they finished a winning run. Michael had no way of knowing that Doc had just paid him the ultimate compliment. Michael wasn't the only one feeling awesome and after a long, long, time, very alive.