Post by ashlea on Jul 24, 2006 1:11:45 GMT -5
Natalie walked down the aisle of the barn, cool after the warmth of the day, and she gave a small smile when an indignant whinny punctuated the silence. "Lucy," she remarked as a small, yet well-bred head appeared over a stall door further down the barn. The filly fretted and Natalie could hear the sounds of hooves striking wood, Lucy thoroughly bored of being stabled for the day. Natalie sighed and increased her pace in to a jog, horses regarding her curiously through the grille of their stalls. "Shh...Lucy," she said while she unbolted the door and crouched down to soothe the tall filly. "It's too hot, baby," she murmured and gave Lucy a reassuring pat, the filly seeking refuge in the caress. "How about if we work in the round pen?" Natalie asked and Lucy's ears pricked forward at the change of tone in her voice. "Come on you little troublemaker. I'll get your tack and then we can finally go outside."
Lucy stood obediently while Natalie fumbled for the latch on the gate, and she turned to smile at the filly who was showing her utmost good manners. She's grown so much, both physically and mentally, Natalie thought with a jolt of realisation. She's nearly a yearling...has time really passed so quickly? Lucy snorted and Natalie clicked her tongue and tugged on the lead rope, directing the filly carefully through the open gate, and then shutting it once they were safely inside. With a flourish of the lunging whip, Natalie sent Lucy off at a walk and a small frown furrowed her brow as she focused on the filly's response. Lucy was still very young, and she didn't want to strain the still growing filly's muscles. "Trot on!" Natalie said and Lucy, well-trained on the lunge line, broke into a trot after just three strides. "Good girl," Natalie said as she followed the filly's movement. What a smooth trot, she thought, wondering what it would be like to ride the filly in the dressage ring. Lucy's neck was partially arched and she lifted her knees high, and she was proud of the filly's talent.
"Whoa girl," Natalie commanded and Lucy slowed from a canter to a gradual halt. "That's enough for today," she murmured, noting the thin lather that coated the filly's neck. In truth the sun had beat down on her, and she wiped the sweat off her forehead with an impatient hand. "Good girl," Natalie praised as she deftly removed the lunging gear and clipped a lead rope onto the filly's leather halter, the cheekpiece engraved with her show name. Slinging the gear over her shoulder, Natalie led the filly back to the boarding barn where a good grooming and a treat would be waiting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucy stood obediently while Natalie fumbled for the latch on the gate, and she turned to smile at the filly who was showing her utmost good manners. She's grown so much, both physically and mentally, Natalie thought with a jolt of realisation. She's nearly a yearling...has time really passed so quickly? Lucy snorted and Natalie clicked her tongue and tugged on the lead rope, directing the filly carefully through the open gate, and then shutting it once they were safely inside. With a flourish of the lunging whip, Natalie sent Lucy off at a walk and a small frown furrowed her brow as she focused on the filly's response. Lucy was still very young, and she didn't want to strain the still growing filly's muscles. "Trot on!" Natalie said and Lucy, well-trained on the lunge line, broke into a trot after just three strides. "Good girl," Natalie said as she followed the filly's movement. What a smooth trot, she thought, wondering what it would be like to ride the filly in the dressage ring. Lucy's neck was partially arched and she lifted her knees high, and she was proud of the filly's talent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Whoa girl," Natalie commanded and Lucy slowed from a canter to a gradual halt. "That's enough for today," she murmured, noting the thin lather that coated the filly's neck. In truth the sun had beat down on her, and she wiped the sweat off her forehead with an impatient hand. "Good girl," Natalie praised as she deftly removed the lunging gear and clipped a lead rope onto the filly's leather halter, the cheekpiece engraved with her show name. Slinging the gear over her shoulder, Natalie led the filly back to the boarding barn where a good grooming and a treat would be waiting.