Shoeshine ending explained

What happens

At the bridge, Pasquale finds Giuseppe hiding with the horse. Years of lies and prison distrust boil over, and he strikes his friend with a rein. Giuseppe falls and dies. The ending shows what broke them was never the horse.

The last image

Pasquale weeps and calls for his dead friend while the riderless horse wanders off alone.

What it says

Nobody plans the death, and that is the point. The film gives you no single villain to blame. The police, the prison and the adults wore down the boys' trust until one blow destroyed it. The freedom of the opening ride is gone for good.