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Post by Amery on Jul 18, 2006 19:03:13 GMT -5
Amery listened attentively as she spoke, slowing Hershey to a walk so they could communicate easier. She nodded as Natalie spoke and smiled as Dallas began to pay attention.
Sounds like you've got everything planned out. And you handle your horses really well.
Natalie deserved that compliment and coming from Amery, it meant a lot. Amery wasn't one to dote on her students, or anyone for that manner. If something was wrong, she'd let them know. She had a soft spot for kids but any form of being unsafe around horses is scolded immediately. Amery shook her neverending thoughts from her mind and concentrated on how she was riding. She then looked back to Natalie.
I hope the young one works out for you. If you ever need any help with her, or anything for that matter, let me know.
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Post by ashlea on Jul 18, 2006 19:41:09 GMT -5
Thanks, I will come to you if Lucy gives me any trouble-which I am sure she will do, considering her age and siblings," Natalie said meaningfully as she looked down at Dallas. "So how long have you been riding?" Natalie asked, curious as she always was. I hope I get that job I applied for, Natalie suddenly thought, biting her lip a little but knowing that her references and resumee were excellent. Dallas's loud whinny brought her back to reality, and Natalie laid a reassuring hand on his neck and spoke soothingly. The gelding laid back his ears and continued rather reluctantly, obviously disliking something on the trail up ahead.
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Post by Amery on Jul 18, 2006 23:42:46 GMT -5
I'd be glad to help. I need to discover who next Rolex champion is anyways.
Amery giggled softly in reply, patting Hershey as she did so. She looked back up at Natalie as she spoke once again, the double digit number immediately popping to her mind.
20 years. Started when I was 4 on some school ponies and been working my way up ever since. What about you?
Amery knew Natalie had been around horses for a while. She could tell by the way she handled Dallas, she so giving and caring, yet she laid down the iron fist when needed. Seeing Dallas balk at something that they hadn't even come to yet, Amery craned her neck and looked further into the trail. Hershey was usually pretty good about new things but if Dallas was set off, Hershey would think he could too. Amery kept her eye out as she waited for Natalie's reply.
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Post by ashlea on Jul 19, 2006 1:41:15 GMT -5
Dallas gave a wary snort, but Natalie pressed him on towards whatever it was that was disturbing him. "There's nothing there boy," she told him softly and gave his neck a reassuring pat, although her grip was firm on the reins. Some of the tension left Dallas at the feel of her hand upon him, and so Natalie turned back to Amery to answer her question. "I have been riding since I was 8 years old. I was a bit of a late bloomer," she said with a grin, remembering the first time she had ever been on a horse's back. Natalie shrugged one slender shoulder, "They say I'm a natural. I don't think that they see the hours of effort that goes in to preparing a horse and learning to ride. Horseriding is one of those things that no one ever truly masters." Just as Natalie finished speaking, there was a purtrid smell and Dallas balked and shied, Natalie losing a stirrup but somehow managing to keep her seat. Grabbing a handful of mane, she turned the gelding in a circle, trying to bring him back under control. Looking back up the trail, Natalie felt a little sick at the sight of the dead lamb, which had so obviously been there for a couple of days.
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Post by Amery on Jul 19, 2006 13:04:14 GMT -5
As Amery waited for an answer, she watched as Dallas' 'spider senses' went off. He knew something was up there and Amery couldn't agree more. Natalie handled Dallas well, reassuring him as she should be, although telling him there was nothing there was a bit of a stretch. Before Amery's train of thought when off the tracks, she turned back to Natalie as she began to speak.
I agree, you look great on the back of a horse. Although, you're right, it takes so much work to get to where we are and once we're here, there's so much more to learn.
Amery replied with a soft smile. She could see Natalie thinking back to a time, maybe a while ago, maybe 2 minutes ago, but she was definitely lost in her thoughts. Amery watched Natalie, confirming she was done speaking, but rather than words coming from her, a foul face did. At the sight of Natalie pinching up her face, the smell hit Amery too. She snapped her head forward and swung her hand up to plug her nose. It smelt like a dead body and as they got closer, it was just that, a dead lamb. It was rotting and the bugs had made a comfortable spot in its eye sockets. How it got there, Amery didn't know. Maybe hunters, or a bigger problem, such as a cougar. She pulled Hershey to a stop and waited for Natalie to get Dallas back to his senses, he was not pleased with this new arrival.
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Post by ashlea on Jul 19, 2006 13:12:06 GMT -5
((Needed to add some drama))
"Easy boy," Natalie said as she brought Dallas to a walk, and then halted him, letting him study the carcass of the lamb to show him that it meant no harm. Natalie felt a little sick at the sight of maggots crawling through the now soiled fleece, and she turned back to Amery her face showing her disgust. "What do you think killed it?" she asked, suddenly fearful that they had intruded on some wolf or cougar's meal. She looked around, Dallas feeling her tension and responding accordingly with some tension of his own. "Dallas!" Natalie snapped as the gelding pigrooted, forcing her up onto his nck and off balane. Natalie righted herself and scowled, "By the time you would finish having your little hissy fit, Dallas, you would already be dead."
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Post by Amery on Jul 19, 2006 13:28:33 GMT -5
Amery kept starting unbelievably at the carcass, her face pinched up in disgust. She could see that Nat was feeling a bit woozy and if she puked, Amery would definitely follow suit. She listened intently as Natalie spoke, and thought for a moment before answering.
Maybe an irresponsible hunter, which makes me think we're not safe right now. There also has been talk of coyotes around here, they travel in packs so they could've easily cornered the poor thing and shared her for lunch.
Amery stopped talking to let Natalie handle Dallas. He was obviously feeling tension, as Hershey was as well. Amery thought for just a moment that Natalie was gonna get dumped but her strong willed mind kept Dallas in order. Amery giggled at her comment, although in reality, it wasn't funny. Amery once again turned to her friend.
I think it's best if we head back, we can let Nicole know what we saw and leave it at that.
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Post by ashlea on Jul 19, 2006 13:45:32 GMT -5
Natalie nodded, thoroughly sick that someone could have done something like this to such a defenceless creature. "Ok, we should probably go back now anyway, I have to exercise Little Lucy and one of Nicole's horses. Natalie turned Dallas, and with a nudge of her heels, sent him off at a trot, the gelding responding well to her aids, now that they were moving away from the source of distress.
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