The Spring Crop Training.

[Matabon]

I watched as the sun set lower, and I looked out into the pastures. The huge group of yearlings ran around in the lush green feilds, and I sat down on a bench and watched. They were getting huge, and I had had no problems yet, thank goodness. The sun was a deep golden ray, and the young colts and fillies were still not yet tired. They lived in the feilds, and had been since they were weaned. I liked horse to grow up naturally, and these foals had definatly done so! Their manes were full of burrs, and their coats long and shaggy as Spring was around the corner, but the yearling's of the Spring Sale couldn't have cared a less.

I watched as the big black colt Major and my colt Rio reared up and play fought, and Rio knocked Major over, both colts being the largest so far, and then before Major could wink Rio was gone galloping across the feilds. Glory and Maggie were scratching each other's backs, and had grown close, the two fillies being inseperable. Willow and Hawke were grazing, their eyes drooping after a hard day of playing, and the two were soon headed under the massive oak tree in the middle of the pasture. Trigger bucked and gave Devon a good kick, then Devon took off after him, the two racing to go under cover as the heavens opened up and a light shower rained down, and Seren and Wish were racing neck and neck to get under the leafy branches of the oak. There was only Shadow, Celeste, and Lion left now. I watched the three yearlings walk towards the oak, heads drooped from a hard day of playing, and thats when I hopped on my ATV and drope my little trailer behind it, which held buckets of feed. All the yearling heard me opening the gate and driving down the feild to the oak. There was a circle of lean-twos all around the oak, and they all had buckets. I drove around, the sounds of many different neighs reaching my ears as I scooped the the grain and turned on the water taps, filling up their troughs. The foals kept the area fairly clean, and it only took me a few moments to pick the manure out of the few lean-two's, which housed three yearlings each.

I finished up, and the rain had ceased, although the sun had almost sunk, and I drove away, after giving each foal a pat. I opened the gate, and drove back to the barn.

[Matabon]

An entire year had passed, and this fine summers day I walked out to the pastures with a different thought in mind. Chase and Ben followed behind me, as I opened the gate, and we all slipped in. All three of us held leather halters, with nameplates on the side. Mine read GS Remington, and Chase's read GS Judgement, and Ben's read GS Lonesome Glory.

Atached the each halter was a black lead rope, and as I walked down I was greeted by a herd of two year olds running up the pasture. They were fairly fit, just from running around the feilds, which were now a pretty much mud bath. It would take all spring for this pasture to recover, with no horses in it, but I didn't mind. I weaved my way through all the big throughbred two year olds, and found Remington. He was my colt, and he gave a a funny look as if to say, "Mum, what are you doing?" as I slipped the halter on and lead him out the pasture. Judgement was prooving difficult to catch, but Ben and Chase teamed up and caught him, and Chase slipped on his new black leather halter, and followed me out. Glory stood queitly as Ben slipped on her halter. It fit perfectly, and the now very big filly followed Ben behind us. They had all been halter broke and trianed to tye and stand in the cross-ties, and haul and bath and clip, and we had not just let them run totally wild, but they weren't really happy to be leaving their friends.

Heading into the huge main stable, you see Miss Matinee enjoying her break, along with Geronimo, but Boo's and Levi's stalls were empy as they were off racing at MHS. I put Rio in the cross-ties and Ben and Chase did the same, before I handed them both a huge body clipper, and then a smaller oster clipper. They smiled and with a shrug I said. " Lets begin!".

Rio fidgeted as the huge strips of thick winter hair fell on nthe ground, a beautiful black body-clipped coat underneath. I was smooth with the clippers, and he didn't mind, as after two hours I finished up his main body, and then started with the small clippers on his face and legs. Head dropping in the cross-ties the big two year old looked ruff, but he was a good weight, not fat and not underweight, but he was just covered in hair! I clipped his little ears, and his oddball blaze and face. I slepped back and was shocked. He looked amazing! Gone was his long shaggy coat, and now he looked like a training horse!

Grabbing the scissors I went at his mane and tail and forlock. It a couple quick cuts his tail was hock length and straight, and his mane no more than twenty centimetres, and perfectly straight. His forelock was thick and the scissors had to cut through it as I snipped off the end, although it was still long and way too thick, it looked much more dapper. Getting out the sander he spooked and fidgetted as I placed his hooves one by one on the stand and sanded the grit from them untill they sparkled. He was still rather dirty, but he looked much more suited to his halter now, his ears pricked as he nudged my sleeve. I gave him a goof scratch, before unclipping him and putting him in the washrack. I tied him to the ring, and he reared up when I sprayed his legs with warm water. It had been a good while since he had a bath and he wasn't exactly co-operating. I gave him a good slap with the handy broom as he tried to drag the wall with him and run, and he leaped back into the washrack. "Don't even try it Rio." I said as I sprayed him down and got out the soap. I worked it into his new short coat, and the brown sludge just poured off. It was gross, and as I suddsed up his tail and worked out all the burrs from his mane and forlock I saw Chase was done. "WOW!" I said as I saw Major. He looked amazing, although he was still filthy, his coat looked like Rio's, and his halter suited him at last. I stepped back and gave Chase the thumbs up at I continued to wash my colt. It took a good while but I finished, and scraped him off. To Rio's unlucky delite, Glen the farrier was there to meet im when he came out fo the washrack. "Ah! Glen! Glad you could make it! I'll just put Rio over here for you." I said as I clipped the black two year old in the cross-ties. They don't call it the terrible two's for nothing, and as I walked away Rip nipped my arm. Like lightning I backhanded him like steel in the muzzle, and he gave a little rear and shook his head, his eyes wide and watching me. "Do it againa and I won't be so nice Rio." I said as I walked off, leaving Glen who picked up his front hoof, and with a rasp started to trim them and fit new steel shoes.

I went to see how Chase was doing, and watched as Major also tried to run out of the washrack. I was waiting with a broom, and with a hardy smack on the rump the two year old went back into the wash rack. I tied a good knot, this time he wasn't going anywhere. Chase scrubbed him, and I trimmed his tail and mane and forelock the same and Rio's, and brished all the burrs and knots out before washing them. It didn't take Chase too long, and Major was soon headed towards the farreir. Glen stepped back, admiring the four neatly shod hooves, and I thanked him as I led Rio off to his new stall. It had his name on it, and a clean black blanket awaited him, with Godolphin embroidered on the side. It fit perfectly, and I did up the straps, then removed his new halter and let him explore the large stall. He was still a little damp, but that was fine, and I decided to go and see how Ben was coming along, as I passed Major, who was standing stiffly in the cross-ties, watching Glen shoe his hooves.

Ben was already in the wash rack and almost finished. Glory looked amazing, her small white star looking innocent and now actually visable with all her thick black coat gone. Her small ears forward and listening as I walked over whistling. With a nod from Ben he finished hosing the soap and grime from her coat, and scraped her off. Unclipping the washrack cross-ties he took her over to Glen. Chase lead Major to his stall, and threw on a new black blanket with embroidered Golden Moments Ranch on it. It looked wonderful, and he placed Major's new halter and lead on his door before Ben walked past us with Glory, her new shoes making a clip clop sound on the pavement as he lead her to her new stall and put on her blanket.

[Matabon]

I awoke early the next morning, and got up. Putting on a pot of coffee I went and had a shower, then got dressed, and took my coffee out to the stables. I walked in and my mouth dropped open. Ben and Chase had started early early this morning, and they had already done two more two-year olds each, and were starting on their third! I walked past and stopped at Regal Sanction's stall, the young colt took my breath away. Dapper and now trimmed and clean he looked amazing, with his black Lone Star Stables blanket on, and rich bay coat. Not to mention his shod hooves and thick mane and tail cut straight. I went in and gave him a hug, the big colt looking ashamed but put up with it. Kim wouldn't believe it. She handn't seen him since he was two weeks old, and here he was, big and almost more stallion than colt looking, with a broad chest and strong legs.

I slipped out and saw the other colt Chase had done already. Medallion. He looked dashing, his light chestnut coat clean and his small star clipped, along with the rest of his body. I gave him a pat, amazed at the difference, and admired his Otter Creek black blanket on, then went ahead and saw the other two horses.

Infinitee, aka Maggie had been done, and so had Willow. Maggie was a big mare, and strong, but she looked beauitful, her chestnut coat a different shade than Lion's, but just as amazing. Hock length tail and short mane added the finishing touches, along with her black blanket which read Whitebrook Farms. I slipped her a carrot, and then walked to the last horse.

It was Royal Crown, aka Willow. I slipped inside, is ears pricked he came over to see me, his sleek dappled pelt looked stunning, and his black blanket with Imperial Glory Studs on it topped it off. Steel shod hooves he looked ready for anything, and came over and I gave him a scratch. He was a wonderful horse, just a little too cheeky sometimes, and he went to give ma nip but got smacked extremely hard and didn't try agian. He was getting better, just didn't realize what he was doing most of the time untill he had already done it. After finishing giving him a stud muffin I went skipped out of the stall and went over to Chase and Ben. They were almost done the two horses they were working on, Celeste and Wish. I watched as Sightseek, aka Wish got her shoes on, and feet trimmed, before Chase took her to her new stall, and put on her black blanket which read Endless Boundary Stables. Ben placed Celeste in the cross-ties and Glen started on her feet, then the three of us headed out to the feilds. Chase got Shadow, and put on his new halter, and Ben got Serenade, and I grabbed Indian Hawke. Leading them into the stables we pout them in the cross-ties and then brought out the clippers. Sernade stood queitly, but Hawke thrashed about for a good while untill he realized this was how it was, and Shadow, the now huge colt, was partly asleep. It took us a good two hours, but when we were finished Hawke stood like a king, his coat clean and mane and tail and forelock combed, cowboy magiced, and cut straight. We took them to their stalls, removing the new engraved halters and placing on the new blankets. Hawke wore his blank emboidered Royal Standards Elite Stables blanket, and Celeste was put in her new stall, wearing her Dream Come True Stables blanket. Shadow wore his black Ave Rezei Equestrian Center blanket, his body clip looked really good, and his bay face was handsome, as he was lead into his new stall, steel shoes ringing on the pavement. Finally Serenade was put away, her North Star Equestrian blanket fitting perfectly.

It was mid afternoon, and as Ben and Chase went and did the final colt, Fatal Shot, I was making lemonade. I finished up and then headed outside, back to the stables. I found Trigger finished, and sparkling in his new black blanket, and then served up sandwiches and lemonade. All three of us ate, and then sat back for a snooze. It was mid afternoon, and I decided to start braking the young horses. Ben tacked up every single one of the foals in a large western saddle, one by one, and slipped on a snaffle bridle, leaving them in their stalls and watching them. A few freaked out and rampaged within the box stall, but no one was hurt, and by seven o'clock, we had un tacked and sprayed them all off agian, before heading in for the night.

[Matabon]

It was yet another morning, and I got up, heading out to the stables. Ben and Chase met me, and we started early. We saddled up Rio, Judement, and Glory, and left to go do paddocks, letting a few grooms watch them carefully. We fed all the other horses, and I worked all my main horses along with Chase and Ben, before working the broodmares on the treadmills and swim pools, with help from the horse boys, and then cleaning the pastures and shecking all the water troughs before throwing everyone outside in the nice weather.

I headed back inside, and watched the three two year olds. Rio was sweated down and so was Major, but Glory was sleeping standing in the corner. I shook my head and took Glory out, and Chase hooked up a lunge rope and we headed to the round pen. I slowly placed my foot in the stirrup, easing my weight into it. I pratcised getting on and off a good ten times, swining my leg over and patting her sides, and clacking the stirrups against her. I got Ben to walk me around, Glory was sensative, I could tell, but went forward when I lightnign squeezed, and I let her have her head. We walked around twice, before I dismounted, and practised this a few times, before Chase took her away to go spray her off. I did the same to Major, although his eyes were wide and he tried to bolt a few times I got him through it, and had enough time for a few more. Rio was very good as well. Well, as good as a young horse can get. He didn;t like the stirrups, but stood and walked fine, and Ben took him off to get sprayed, as Chase came back and got Major. I did the same to every two year old that day, and was out till 8 o clock, but we got them all done.

[Matabon]

The next morning I headed out to the barn was a little more eventful. We saddled them all up, and I mounted up on Glory after Ben had lunged her saddled and bridled. I was light on the reins and Ben let us go off the lunge line, as I trotted her around the round pen. She was unsteady, and wiggled a lot, but she went without a fuss. I rode her for not overly long, as it was getting warmer out, and she was soon soaking wet, from mere trotting around the pen. I stopped her and took her straight into the wall, causing her to turn to my legs in a reverse, and get the point of when we reverse we don't stop, we GO. I finished her up and Ben took her and washed her off, as Chase brought in an already lunged Major. Major was big, but he stood steady as I mounted up and practised the stirrups and getting on and off agian. We went around in the round pen a few times on the lunge rope, as I tapped him up with the crop. Most young horses were fine with the crop, as mine barely noticed but it just kept them a little more focused on going straight and when to go and when to stop.

I took him off the lunge rope, and we set out at a bouncy trot as I posted to his rythm, and did a few reverses. He got the whole I got to go when we reverse thing, and was soon soaking wet. I did a little more, and then let Chase take him away as Ben showed up with Rio.

I made sure he got over the stirrups, and did lots of trot and reverses and Rio was well behanved, his ears flickering as he trotted steadily and rather quickly around the round pen. He had already been lunged down hard, and was soon exausted, and Ben took him away just as Chase brought out Serenade. The filly was a dark bay, and she looked calm in the western saddle. She was already lightly sweating from her lunge, and stood atill while I mounted up. I took her for a couple unsteady rounds of trot before Chase undid the lunge line and I went off on my own. She was a little nervous and slowed down a little bit every so often, but with a light tap of the crop she was off agian. She turned on her haunches well, and it didn't take her long before she was turning to my legs and moderatly following the direction of the reins. I finished her up, and Chase lead her off for a good spray, and Ben brought me Devon. The big colt moved around a lot as Ben head him and I mounted up, but we were soon trotting and turning fairly well. He had a beautiful stride and I sat easily to his trot. I turned him into the wall, gave him a tap and he sped off in the other direction. I dismounted and handed him to Ben, and gave him a pat before I was brought Hawke by Chase. He tossed his head, but was light in the mouth, and responded quickly and well to my legs and reins. He could stop one a dime, and was very happy when rewarded. I could tell her was trying hard, and after fifteen minutes quit him. I didn't like to over work young horses.

Ben brought me an already sweaty Lion, who I mounted up and emediatly set him to work. He was an affectionate colt, and behaved as I tapped him around the circle of the pen and kept him working. His stops I practised a little more, as he wasn't getting the entire "whooa" thing, but he understood whoa by the time I was done, and with a loving pat he was taken away for a good spray. Next Chase brought out Maggie. She was a big filly, but didn't overreact to the crop or work. She did try to do some of her own things, like not trot when asked, but she got a few good slaps and a squeeze and went on. I made sure I worked her a little harder, untill she got it, and when I was doen she was foaming and tired. I gave her a good scratch, and her ears pricked forward, as she rubbed her head on my hand, then was taken to have a spray and be turned outside in the paddocks with the other horses.

I only had five horses left. The two year olds were good, but they were a lot of work, and as Chase lead out Wish. I mounted up and we went around on the lounge line for a little bit, then I took her on her own around the pen. She turned well, and took off when we reversed, but wanted to stop after she was tired. I kept her going, even though she wanted to slow down I kept her trucking around the pen untill I was satisfied. She halted quickly, glad she was finished, and grateful when Chase took her away for a bath.

Ben lead out Shadow, the big colt was prancing and dancing, and got a good jerk on the reins from Ben when I went to mount up. He pranced, and I discarded the whip. He was way to reved up, and I got off. "Lunge him hard for another good twenty minutes, He is still to reved up." I said as I sent Ben and Shadow back to the arena. In the meantime Chase brought out Willow, who was rather tired and behaved as I mounted up and set off at a trot. He turned ok, and I worked on that for awhile, and his start offs from the reverse were good, as he wasn not overly pleased by the crops presence, and wasn't going to give e and reasons to smack his rump. His halts I worked on, and he stopped well afterwards. He was tired and soaking wet, so I dismounted after I was done and handed him to Chase. " I worked him pretty hard. Make sure you stick him on the hot walker for a little longer than the others." I said, asn with a nod, Chase was off.

Ben returned with a much calmer Shadow. I mounted up, and he walked much smoother, but I didn't waste time and soon set him to work. I rode him pretty hard, but my hands and legs were soft as I flexed his neck and made him use his hind end around the reverses. He halted fine, and since I didn't use the crop he responded to my legs and quickly picked up a good trot when we reversed. I finished him up, hsi sides heaving as Ben took him away to the hot walker, and I made sure I gave him a good pat for working hard.

Chase brought out Trigger, who was blowing from his lunge. I mounted up and made him patiently stand as I clacked the stirrups, then sent off at a trot. He wasn't really into working, but I gave hima few good slaps with the crop and he got a better attitude. He quickly went around the pen, not stalling at all with the crop handy, and was actually pretty steady, and not wiggling around like most of the horses. I rode every last drop out of him, untill he was soaking wet and puffing hard. I hand't worked him hard the day before, but he needed to know when he came out it wasn't fun or games. It was work.

As Chase took him away. Ben brought out the last horse. Celeste. The light gray filly by Seabiscuit. As soon as I mounted up and set her off a trot I knew she was her sire's daughter. She had the same steady head and balance as she went around at a light trot. After fifteen minutes she was getting tired and grumpy though. She liked to work, but I was pushing her, and she was soon slowing and swishing her tail. I gave her a couple good slaps and a light kick, and made her work even harder. Turning fast and taking off, then halting and asking for trot agian, reverse, trot, reverse, walk, trot, halt, reverse. She was soaking wet but soon gave up and just did it. I slowed her to a walk again and halted, then dismounted and headed into the stables, the tired Celeste following. I untacked her and put her on the hot walker, then went and brought in all the horses and fed them all dinner. I went back and got her, sprayed her off, and the put on her blanket before putting her away. I went down the isle and gave all the horses an apple, before checking on everything and heading in for the night.

[Matabon]

The days passed by, as I worked them every day except for weekends, where they went into the pastures and got to be horses. Their fat bellies soon turned into muscle, and their legs powerful. I worked on stamina, and endurance, and the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. By the time I was finished my training they were all two and a half, and ready for the sale. They had been on mountain trail and endurance rides, and could run a full six furlongs on dirt or turf every morning with ease. Muscled pelts shone and leather halters and tack was polished. I rode every day, and soon Chase and Ben rode them too, so we would practise head on head duels on the lush turf track at Godolphin. The sale was looming, and the flowers were soon in blossom as March rolled in. It was time for the sale. I finished up some little touches, and then cleaned the stables from head to toe. Every broodmare was clipped and fit, and out in the cut pastures, grazing under the oak and maple trees. The paved driveway was swept, and a new coat of paint was on all the fences, the Godolphin gardens in bloom, the maple trees green and fresh as you drove up the driveway. Everything looked amazing, and the sale was soon to begin. I walked down the isle, placing the freshly cleaned leather haltes and polished name plates on the doors, and clipping on new black leads. Washed blankets were put on, and the doors of Godolphin opened wide, the light breeze and scent of flowers in the air. It was the perfect time for a sale, and I knew every owner I had talked to was ready to come purchase their new horse.