The indecision of the other horse agitates Rachat, but Kate keeps him on an even keel while Tommy struggles to straighten him out again. To be perfectly honest, the hardest thing for Kate through it all is not laughing and spooking the animals.

"He might be takin' advantage."

Duncan's the most good-tempered animal in the whole stable, but he's smart as a whip and can tell Tommy doesn't really know what he's doing. He flicks his ear back and shakes out his mane, grumbling.

"Well, I dunno much 'bout hockey, but ridin' has always been somethin' that helps clear my head. When everythin' starts feelin' heavy, takin' Beaut out t'the lonely stretches an' jus' lettin' her rip makes it all seem like a million miles away. It's ... freedom."