one step away {semper}
Jan 18, 2018 15:40:24 GMT -5
Post by semper on Jan 18, 2018 15:40:24 GMT -5
sewanee clark
The mare’s got spirit an’ that’s that I like ‘bout her most. A real shame that the people who had her last couldn’t see her potential: you jus’ gotta work with her, find what motivates her, an’ you got a friend for life. She’s smart, too, ‘cause I made the mistake’a puttin’ diced carrots in the same pocket each time I’s teachin’ her groundwork so she began anticipatin’ an’ stickin’ her nose right at the pocket. Not only that, bu’ she done figured out how the gate latch works, so she jus’ let herself outta the stall an’ pasture whenever she felt like it. I rigged both up with a clip now so she can’t go wanderin’ through the garden no more an’, hell, she been snatchin’ eggs from the hens on rarer occasions. Had t’ nip that one early on. If she could teach herself that, who knew what we’d be able t’ learn together?
She’s doin’ real well under saddle, too. I ain’t a real big fan’a bits, so I jerryrigged a hack an’ she’s respondin’ good to it. She don’t need a heavy hand, neither; a gentle pull an’ she slows, light pressure of the reins on either side’a her neck an’ she’s turnin’ where I want her to. Responds well t’ leg pressure, too.
Followin’ along Ten’s fence, I’m puttin’ her through a pattern of askin’ for different gaits. Much t’ my relief she don’t get too excited whenever I ask for a gallop, so I’ve got her runnin’ a little stretch ‘til I pull back t’ ease into a walk, lettin’ her catch her breath an’ take it slow for a bit since it’s still snowy. I’m thinkin’ ‘bout turnin’ ‘round, anyway, since I still got some things at Mace’s t’ take care of, an’ bein’ out in the cold is startin’ t’ get t’ me.
But there’s a guy o’er yonder there, stoopin’ down periodically like he’s pickin’ up rocks in the snow. Somethin’ I’d do, honestly; can’t ever have enough rocks. So, out of curiosity, I give the mare a li’l nudge an’ she’s puttin’ a pep in her step as I steer her o’er t’ where the feller is.
”Nice day for collectin’ rocks, huh?” I smile at him, pullin’ the mare to an easy halt, lettin’ the reins loose as she stands.