The Daily Training.

[Matabon]

This thread is mainly just for myself. I will re-post a lot of my training threads in here just so I remember my horses personalities all the time and stay consistent. Anyways, if you like to read go ahead and read them, but I doubt many people do!

[Matabon]

"Can you please hold him still?" Matty yelled as she again had to quickly step back from the large dapple gray stallion as he side-stepped and almost knocked her over. Storm held his head high as he tried to snatch the reins from Ben's grasp. He reared up, dancing on his hind hooves as he bugled, the whites of his eyes showing as he landed and backed up quickly, dragging Ben with him, as he tried to make a run for the arena door.
"I'm trying to! Get on quicker next time!" Ben said with an annoyed groan, not at Matty, but at the five year-old thoroughbred eventer. Storm was a very well bred horse. He was bred to race, it was in his blood. A half-bother to Geronimo on the dam's side, and a son of Smiles Boo, he should have been a racing wonder. Yet he wasn't. He didn't like racing at all, he had no passion, no drive for the win like his brother or sire. He was just too big, and not only that, he was broad, with long sturdy legs.
Storm was quick on his feet, and could tuck up under himself in cross-country, showjumping, and dressage. He was the only eventing stallion on the property, and was Matty's favorite colt out of her Fall Sale, she had picked him out of a large crowd to be her show horse. Yet as Storm got older, and bigger, he just turned into a brute. He would eventually grow out of it, but all he had on his mind was eating, sleeping, and mares. He had gotten study, and just hard to handle. Matty was strong, but he needed a guy to handle him most of the time. Once on, Matty's skill could get him to listen, and he wasn't a mean stallion, he was usually just a pain in the ass to do anything with.
Ben hung on and dug in his heals as Storm through himself, trying to get away. He hadn't been out the day before because of the weather, and had so much energy he wasn't even thinking about what he was doing. All he thought about was how he wanted to just run and buck and be a compete idiot, and not have to worry about aides or anything. Matty would normally just turn him out in the pastures to goof off, but they were still icy, and he would slip and do something stupid to hurt himself right before his shows.
Gritting his teeth Ben gave the big stallion a half-halt with the reins, as Storm finally stood and snorted, his ears flicking back. Matty was quick, and within seconds had stuck her foot into the stirrup and mounted before Storm even knew what hit him. She gathered her reins and kicked him forward as he tried to back up and make a quick getaway once again. Ben stood back and let go of his reins, as Matty quickly put him to work at a steady trot, Storms breathing harsh and his ears back in annoyance. Why did he have to do this? He just wanted to run, kick, buck, and have some fun. This was not what he was hoping for, and there wasn't even any jumps set up! You could see he was ticked off and not ready to let up, as his teeth ground on the bit and he swished his tail, his ears laid back. "Stop it. Ok? Just get over it. Your not going outside so you minds well just make the best of it." She muttered as she flexed him around a serpentine, warming up his muscles, and just trying to keep him busy. Normally Matty was very patient with her horses, but riding Storm was an exception. She had invited Otto along, mainly just because she wanted some company. Storm could make any good day a bad one.

[ooc] He'll work out of it. He usually isn't too bad, he is just way full of beans, so try to bring a stallion or a gelding lol, a mare will distract him even more [/ooc]

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[Matabon]

"Oh. My. God. Spartan, it's snow you idiot." I grumbled, but in a slightly playful way. I had a deep red scarf wrapped around my neck and mouth, so my words were a little muffled, not that it mattered, he wasn't listening at all. Sitting easily in the saddle I gave Spartan a half halt. He snorted, his warm breath sending steaming spirals into the crisp winter air. The light breeze and bitter coldness stung my cheeks, but my ears were snuggly tucked under my toque.
Geronimo pranced and danced in the snow, neck arched as he collected his trot and playfully darted around in the white snowcovered ground. Everytime he jig zagged he sent snow flying, and then he would spook at it and make more spray up.
I cracked a smile and let him have his head. Seriously, what example was he going to set for his younger brother when he acted like a foal himself?
Geronimo totally ignored me, continueing to run about in the snow like a compete idiot, having the time of his life as I hung on to the western saddle horn for dear life.
He had special snow boots on and he gingerly picked up his feet as the snow crunched underhoof. He looked a little awkward with the boots on, as he raised his knees much to high, looking more saddlebred than a thoroughbred.
At last we made it up the driveway to Fable Creek, and I buzzed the buzzer at the gate.
" Ho, ho ho! It's Matty and her er.. reindeer." I chuckled as I leaned over and spoke into the speaker. Geronimo flew back enexpectedly as the speaker crackled and I hit my head on a snow covered branch, getting thrown the the ground and landing with a thud, right on my back in the snow. Spartan emediatly stopped and stpped forward, his worried eyes searching my face as he gave me a couple nudges with his muzzle and nickered lowly.
"AH-HAH!" I yelled and I jumped up a little stiffly and spooked the chestnut stallion. He stepped back quickly and snorted, his nostrils flared and the whites in his eyes showing a little bit [Like Rilly does lol].
"Truce? Please? I would really like to make it to the barn with all limbs attached yah goof." I chuckled as I ruffled his snow flecked forelock and heaved myself back into the saddle. He flicked his ears forward and let out a big sigh.
"Maybe get me an asprin." I added with a laugh into the intercom.

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[Matabon]

[Saturday Morning 7:30 AM {Not Super Important, No need to read if you don't have the time Lana, it might just bring the day to life more}]

Matty grabbed the sun-warmed handle of the barn door and pulled it open. Sunlight flooded through into the stables of Godolphin, and a chorus of anxious whinnies greeted her. Smiling she pulled her hair into a ponytail and walked into the barn, doing a brief check of all the horses. Geronimo was dozing in his stall, his lower lip drooping and his eyes closed. Yet beside him was not his usual neighbor. GS Remington had headed over to Fable Creek Stables two nights ago, and in his place stood Geronimo's younger brother Touchstone, who Matty and Keliegh hoped would follow right in his brother's footsteps to the winners circle.
Toby twitched an ear and opened a dark brown eye as Matty walked over to their stalls, Geronimo of course having the first stall in the Main Barn, even though he was semi-retired. Ben, Chase, and Jason soon walked into the barn, stifling yawns and sipping Tim Horton's coffees.
"Heya Boss. I'm going to turn out Warrior, Pops, and Versace in the 1 1/2 acre pastures above the steeple course. The ones they were in before are going to get muddy if the horses go out, especially after that snow we had. It will be fine by tomorrow, but they have to drain." Ben said as he gave Matty a coffee and headed down the isle to grab Versace.
Matty gave a nod and Chase went off to grab Lily, Levi, Cali, and Lucky, and put them out in the five acre pasture above the indoor.
Finally Jason managed to put Storm the big dapple gray jumper in his 2 1/2 acre pasture, after a few toes were squished and Jason had been dragged off by the huge Smiles Boo son in his haste to get outside on such a beautiful day.
Matty woke up Geronimo, who gave her a neigh in greeting as he checked for treats. She opened the door and rubbed his blaze affectionately, before slipping on his leather halter and taking off his black Big D blanket. Spartan's coat was a bit dusty from the sawdust, but he soon shook, the bits of shavings flying from his fluffy forelock. Matty opened the door and led him outside, as he gave a bugle and pranced beside her, his neck arched as he bathed in the sweet morning sunshine and drank in the crisp winter air. Muscles rippling under his copper coat, Geronimo was higher than a kite, and excited to get outside after they had stayed in the day before because of the ice. Yet it had warmed up that night and the ice had melted, only little clumps of snow here and there remained.
Matty took him through the empty parking lot, his shoes making the clip-clop sound upon the pavement. Geronimo got the prime spot, right out front along the driveway, in his huge pasture. Matty let him prance through the gate, before unbuckling his halter and letting him take off at a gallop across the grass, his hooves pounding upon the sodden ground as he immediately went to the far corner where a tiny bit of mud was, and started to roll, his coat soon turning into a brown-sh ball of mud. Getting up he shook, before taking off again, feeling way to good.
Matty's stopped and watched as Chase lead the dappled and snow white colored Miss Matinee out to her pasture, which was across from Geronimo's, divided by the tree-lined driveway.
At Jamie's side was a beautiful chestnut colt with a skinny blaze and three white socks. He dragged Ben behind him and he ripped around on his lead, forcing Ben to dig in his heels to no be dragged off his feet. Tor was Geronimo's second son and first colt, and Matty watched as Ben unclipped his lead and the colt took off at a dead gallop past his mom to stare at his sire. Immediately he copied him, giving a rather pitiful neigh and diving into a small muddy spot. Matty shook her head and laughed, as Geronimo thingyed his head and stared at the tiny image of himself, slightly perplexed.
She headed back to the stables, just as Jason was leading out a sleepy Boo. The big black thoroughbred yawned and stopped to give Matty an adoring rub, his coal black eyes drowsy. Jason clucked to the stallion and he followed him with a swish of his tail, to his huge 10 acre pasture in the very back, where he pretended to be wild.
Once all the broodmares and their seven month old foals had been turned out in their 10 acre pasture, Matty finished the chores as Ben, Jason, and Chase mucked out the stalls and swept the isle ways, as well as doing other chores around the immense stable.
At last everything was done. The gardener had arrived and was pruning all the shrubs and bushes, and mowing the lawn. The sculptors had also come, as they set to work on finishing the immense statues in the courtyard. Ben had gone off to bring Storm in to work him on the jumper course, Jason had set off to get SSR Calixte and practice her gate work, and Chase was going to go get the 14.2 palomino chincoteague stallion, so he could pony the oldies, Pops, Warrior, and Ace on the track for exercise.
Matty stretched and took off her heavy jacket as the winter air started to warm under the suns glowing rays. She had wanted to make sure all the chores were done before she worked with Toby, so she wouldn't be distracted. Walking into the Main Barn, she stopped at his stall. A large trunk with all his things lay beside it, and the young bay thoroughbred colt watching her from inside his stall. She opened the door and grabbed his halter, walking into the stall she held out her hand for him to smell, his deep eyes watching her, evaluating her. "Hey Toby." she said softly as she walked up to him and gave his neck a gentle pat. Toby let out a sigh and nosed his halter, his muscles relaxing once he recognized Matty's familiar smell. Matty and Godolphin looked a lot like Fable Creek, and Matty had been around a lot when he was younger, so he accepted her. "Glad to know we get along," she laughed with a smile as she unbuckled his legstraps and took off his blanket, before putting on his halter and walking him out into the isle way and clipping him in the cross ties.

[The Workout 4:00 PM]
She went and grabbed some brushes and groomed the dust off his coat from the shavings, before going over and grabbing a lunge whip. Matty always liked to try other methods, and she was a whiz with herbs. She wasn't into a bunch of crap and aromatherapy, or anything like that, but she did like Join-Up, even though she hardly ever needed to use it.
Unclipping Toby she walked him out to the round-pen, shutting the gate behind them and unclipping his lead. She drove him off with a light flick of the whip, and Toby gave a bewildered start, before picking up a trot and circling around the round-pen.
Matty kept her aggressive stance, keeping her shoulders square with his as she kept him going, until his inside ear turned to wards her, listening. Muscles rippling under his sleek bay coat Toby continued around, not breaking a sweat with this light work. Not long after he started to move his mouth open and closed. Soon as he did Matty dropped her shoulders and turned away from him non-threateningly. Soon she heard Toby's hoofs in the sand as he walked up behind her, blowing on her neck. It was always the same swooshing feeling that the horse really wanted to be with you. Matty already knew it wouldn't take long for Toby to come, even though she wasn't like his Kaliegh or Jasper, she wanted to have at least some bond with him so they could work as a team and hopefully to really well in the race the next day.
The join-up had taken less than fifteen minutes and the young colt wasn't puffing. Matty lead him back into the stables and clipped him back in the cross-ties, quickly sorting through his tack box and putting on his ex cerise saddle, pad, and leg wraps, along with a running martengale. Confused she got his bridle, but couldn't find the bits Kaliegh had sent. "Ugh, she forgot the bits." Matty groaned as she did a double check. Toby had a cheeky look in his eye. Just his luck.
She hurried back into the tack room and searched around. Normally Toby was worked in a curb or a ring bit, because he broke early and was near impossible to stop without something with some bite. Matty groaned inwardly again. She had lent her ring bit out, and the western curb had gone missing. Most of Godolphin's horses didn't need severe bits, but Matty used a lot of different snaffles, and she knew Kaliegh hadn't tried a thin twisted wire snaffle, but it was worth a try, and it was a mean bit. Yet mean bits don't do any damage if the rider knows what they are doing, and Matty knew exactly.
Jogging back she put the new bit on his bridle and slipped it over Toby's ears, popping the bit into his mouth. At first he flicked his ears back, and tried to spit it out when he felt what he had in his mouth, but it fit perfectly, and was nice and wide on the sides like a full cheek, it was a custom bit Matty had had made.
Toby wiggled it around for a few minutes, and seemed to except it. We would just have to see how he went in it now.

She lead him out the door and down the cobblestone pathway, through the courtyard and down to the track. Toby raised his head and gave a neigh, his ears pricked as he took in his surroundings.
Once the springy turf was under his hooves Toby got a little excited. Matty quickly swung up onto his back and made sure to be gentle with the bit. He chewed at it a little, but didn't question it or throw his head in the air in dispute.
Matty loaded him into the shoots, and after ten seconds they flew open. Toby tried to break early, but Matty was quick and half halted him just enough to make him become more away of what he was doing instead of charging out and just focus on getting to the lead. Ben brought out Calixte, and Chase had tacked up Boo, so they joined Matty with Toby. Boo was an experienced and retired racer. He judged the turf, his eyes look at the deep spots and slippery places. Toby was still young, and had started to analyze the track, but not the way Boo did.
SSR Calixte was the same age as Toby, the young liver chestnut filly was just like Toby, yet a little less experienced than him. She had placed right after him in the previous Dawn Treader.
The filly looked at the track, trying to figure out how she could get around the huge seventeen hand Boo, who was easily the biggest horse in Godolphin. Boo jigged a little, but when Toby again tried to break early, Matty again brought him down to a walk quickly with the new bit and loaded him back into the shoots. Calixte had broken a little slow, yet Boo was there right as the gates opened. It was a skill of timing, and Toby was frustrated at Boo, who walked back and loaded calmly, his deep eyes watching his competitor. Once back in the shoots Matty leaned over and stroked the stallions neck. Toby let out a sigh yet stayed determined. "It's okay Toby, just chill out. Matty said. Normally once out of the gates, even it was hard to bring him down in a ring bit, but Matty thought he might fear the ring bit, hate it. This new twisted wire he did not fear, he respected, and it was comfortable unless he wouldn't listen. He was getting a little fed up when Matty signaled the Jason, and the gates remained shut. Toby always fought for what he thought was right, although he knew he wanted to beat Boo, Matty was doing the right aides and keeping him calm, and he wasn't fighting her at all.
Still the gates did not open, and Toby stood ready to spring. Matty nodded her head and Boo's and Cali's gates banged open with a clang, and they took off, Toby stomping the ground and becoming inpatient as he rubbed his chest against the gate. Soon he grew a little bored as Boo and Cali were loaded and off two more times. He had gotten mad, fighting a little because he just knew he should be let out. Yet after a third time waiting, he sighed and dropped his head. Boo and Cali finished their furlongs and went in the get hosed. Toby had hardly done any work besides get impatient, and had only a light sweat on his neck.
Finally Matty nodded to Jason and leaned over Toby's neck. He looked bewildered, but then it clicked. Finally, my turn.
He waited until the gates opened before springing out in perfect timing. Not to early, not slow. Matty leaned over and rubbed his neck, as he let out a triumphant snort and kept going, Matty keeping her reins short but not restricting him. He had waited and gotten it right, and he earned his breeze.
The wind whipped past them as his front legs stretched out in front of him, eating up the turf as it became a mere blurr beneath them. For a catch rider they bonded pretty well. Not as well as Kaliegh, but good enough to hopefully pull a victory or a good placing out of this race.
Matty let him go for six furlongs, keeping him in check some of the time and making him slow down, not just drive in 4x4 to the lead. It was all this bit. It was a miracle bit. When they flew by the six furlong mark she pulled at the twisted snaffle, and Toby didn't fight it, although he wasn't exactly eager to let up. Matt7y gave a slight half halt and the young colt seemed to say Fine.. and slowed down gradually until they were at a trot. Finally she brought him down to a walk and gave him a slightly loose rein so he could stretch out his neck. He breathed a sigh and his muscles relaxed. He had worked up a good sweat but wasn't near exhausted, and still had energy, but Matty wanted him to be fresh for the race the next afternoon.

[After The Workout 6:30 PM]
Bringing him to a halt she dismounted and put up her stirrups, before taking him back to the barn and untacking him. Matty went and got the clippers, and gave his short bridlepath a quick buzz, before clipping his face, socks, and whiskers. She wanted him to look his best for tomorrow. She then hosed him off with nice warm water, and washed his mane, tail, and forelock, as well as scrubbing his coat clean from the mud and sweat, and making his blaze and white socks sparkle. He smelt of roses and cowboy magic by the time she rinsed him off, and bundled him up in a warm cooler. She had just finished blow drying his tail and removing his cooler and putting his blanket on as the sun sank behind the mountain ridges of Godolphin. Giving him a pat she unclipped him and put him back in his stall. Once all the horses were inside she fed them all hay and grain, making sure she fed Spartan before Toby so there wasn't any ego problems. Grabbing her coat she flicked off the lights, the sound of content munching heard throughout the barn as she shut the door.

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[Matabon]

"Rio. Stop it. Seriously! Oh my god, come on!" I groaned as the black four year old colt danced circles around me in his pasture, weaving and ducking out of the way so I couldn't catch him.
"Fine then. I'll just go take your dad for a breeze instead then!" I huffed as I hung his halter on the fence and hiked over the rails, landing with a soft thud on the other side.
Rio stopped jigging on his hooftips and flicked and ear back, giving a gentle snort in protest, and tossed his head.
Boo, his sire was also black, with no white, although when you clip his face with short blades, you can see a tiny star, but no one ever noticed it.
Boo bobbed his head in greeting, and lipped at my sweater.
" No nipping you. " I warned as he had a slight devil-ish and cheeky look in his eyes. Even if he did bite, as all stallions did, no matter how well-behaved they are, I wouldn't have felt it. Winter was definatly making a comeback this year with a vengence! It wasn't icy yet, and it hadn't snowed, but on Godolphin Island, which was off the coast of BC, Canada, where great oaks and cedars grew, it could get flippin cold! Matty usually spent the summer months in sub-tropical weather racing and showing the horses, but today she was at home, freezing, and looking like an eskimo under all her layers.
"Not you too." I mumbled as Boo danced lightly on his hooves. He was usually pretty layed back and, well, thick. He was beautiful and muscular, for even retired he stayed in tip top shape, although just not as intense since he didn't need to race. But come on, he was only four, and lived for the race, so he of course was not just turned out wild.
Head at my side he stopped being a loon and walked beside me through the gate and across the lawns. to the courtyard, where the paths split off to go to the barns, tracks, and arenas. The bronze statues of Man O' War, and Seabiscuit standing, with Versace jumping over them, usually sprouted water, but it had frozen, and the water was a solid cascade of ice. It looked extrodinary, even though it was starting to unthaw a little, and the odd leak would spring out the side.
I was just getting three new scuptures built a few meters away from the first, the first one had Miss Matinee and Smiles Boo neck and neck in a race, and the bronze was just getting cut and sawdered. I was really impressed, as it showed every muscle, and detail from the dirt getting kicked up to the wind in their manes. The latest addition to the courtyard was also in remberance of retirement. This one had two sculptures of Geronimo. The first was him laying down in the grass, Matty resting on his side, looking up at the sky as Geronimo lipped at her jeans. The second was him rearing over top, the red in his chocolate eyes were frightening they looked so real, his mane plastered to his neck, and his bronze hooves tearing the sky. Matty loved this scupture, although it was only partly completed and still needed detail. She chose this design because it represented the docile, dependable Spartan, who was affectionate and brave, yet it also represented the day his sires blood overpowered the good, and how Matty had clung for her life, as Geronimo unleashed a rage she had never seen, and hoped to never see again. The last scupture was of San D' Aigo Secrets, the half-thoroughbred cross filly, who had never shone above her foal-mates, yet deserved her own place in the courtyard. It depicted her and Matty, dressed as a Bedowin, raing across the desert sands in one of the endurance arabian races they had run in. The sand kicking up, the determination on their faces as they galloped, Levi's front hooves leaping in the air.
Boo was very fascinated by her sculpture, and kept nosing it to see if would move. Shaking my head I pulled him away and into the barns, taking off his heavy winter blanket and putting him in the cross-ties. I wrapped his legs with a pair of brand new blue polos, then brushed out his mane and tail, added some cowboy magic, and went to grab the scissors. I chopped off his tail which was starting to drag on the ground, to hock length. It always got raggedy at the bottom, so I kept it straight and to his hocks, so it was always thick and shiny.
I finished tacking him up, and lead him out to the track. He danced excitedly on the spot, his ears forward as he bobbed his head in anticipation. I stuck my foot in the stirrup and heaved myself up. I had put an ad in the gazette saying if anyone wanted to join me to please come over!

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[Matabon]

{{All I Ever Wanted Dressage Warm-Up}}

The worn soles of Matty's leather Ariat boots crunched on the gravel as she walked. It was an overly hot day, and the sweat hard already started to form on Magic's neck and prickle down her spine, and they hadn't even started yet. Pulling open the doors to the indoor she let out a sigh, as a gust of cold, air-conditioned air hit her sweaty face. "That's better. Let's go Magic, pick it up." she said, as the palomino stallion dragged his feet into the hogfuel ring.
Matty pulled down her stirrups and swung her leg over the large pony's back, gathering up her reins. Magic usually was not an enthusiastic dressage student, but the heat was getting to him and he obliged as she bent him in a large looping serpentine, and turned him around in figure eights, extending his trot down the longside and the collecting it up and making his hind end jump up and carry himself as she picked up the canter and did simple changes in another three-loop serpentine. After twenty minutes of solid circles and down transitions she pushed him up to a steady gallop, his knees climbing the air in front of them as they elegantly flew around the track, and then abruptly, yet not messily, she brought him to a halt. His neck stayed arched and his nose tucked in, but she knew his muscles were starting to tire. "Alrighty, that's good enough. We still have to bath and clip you all up tonight anyways." she commented as she dismounted and cooled him out by hand, giving him a good pat on the neck as his tiny fluted ears swivelled around, and he gave a lazy flick of his cream white tail.

[Matabon]

^{LISTEN TO SONG "RESET" BY MUTE MATH}
Matty stood in the middle of the turf track, her back facing the soft autumn sun that was fading over the horizon, casting it's final rays of light over the dew covered grass. Her blue eyes were focused, her hands in the pockets of her wrangler jeans, and the worn black and purple jacket of Godolphin pulled up high around her neck. Night soon stalked in, dragging with it cloaking veils of darkness as the sun finally slid behind the mountains, and with a sigh, Matty walked forwards towards the outside rail, stopping at the gates that were the entrance to the track. She fumbled around in the grass for a moment, before pulling up a dust-covered electric lantern that had been resting against one of the gates' posts. She pressed the button, only to have nothing happen, so she gave it a good bang against the railing, the loud clang sounding alien in the still night, but the lantern sputtered to life, it's soft glow spreading across the short well manicured turf in front of her.
Winter had been seeming to sneak up on them all, summer's warm humid nights soon turning into the bitter chill that was tonight, the chill that snapped at the nape of your neck like a hungry wolf, and made the sweat run cold down your back, the chill that sunk into your boots and made it's way through your jacket to seep into your lungs. Matty sat there on the railing, feeling the chill work it's way through her gloves and into her fingers. She flexed them and made them dance upon the railing, trying to bring the blood and warmth back into them.
Finally Chase and Tsornin emerged out of the darkness. Matty pulled up her coat collar, and pulled down her toque around her ears, as she walked out to greet them and take the chestnut colt from Chase's hands. Tor looked around, his dark brown eyes bright and alert, even though he only danced lightly on his hooftips. Chase bent down and placed the back of his hand against Matty's cheek. "Your cold." came his simple statement, his breath forming clouds of whisping steam around them.
"Yeah it's a bit nippy. I'll be fine though. How was he to tack up?" she replied, before giving him a quick kiss on the lips before he replied.
Chase smiled, with a slight grin. "He was good. Little dancy, like now, but nothing major. He doesn't seem to be in one of his moods."
"Mmm, good. I really don't feel like fighting with him anyways. This is ridiculous, coming out here in the middle of the night. Why can't the press mind there own business?" she vented, before giving Tor a pat on the neck and swinging up onto his back, shortening her reins as Chase slipped off his halter and lead. Matty walked the colt around, his powerful haunches moving rythmically as she circled him around Chase.
"Hard to say. Nosy I guess. Do you think you will enter him in the DTC?" he replied, his tone hard to read. He felt she was pushing herself, not the horse. "You have a lot on your plate, maybe we should take a break, go on a trip or a holiday or something." his voice seemed to have a slight pleading note.
"Chase you know running away won't do anything. I think he's ready, he has natural talent. I can't keep avoiding racing him because of what others expect. Yes he needs more training, no horse ever has enough, but Tor is the best horse I've ever had when it comes to tough footing, and I overheard that's what Carma has up her sleeve. Experience must be gained, and sitting here training him everyday won't get us that."
Chase looked up at her, his dark eyes looking into her blue. He knew she was right."I suppose. But don't take any chances. I know he's ready, but with all the youngsters and work you've been doing, I don't want added stress on you, just because this colt has some stupid high expectations to live up to. It doesn't mean he has to, you know that." came his sure sounding reply. For a horse, Chase liked Tor a lot, but he loved Matty a lot more than any equine, and with all the pressure of this colt, he wouldn't have her break down because of it.
"I know." her reply was barely audible. Matty turned Tor, his ears flicking back and forth as he listened to her aids, as they set off at a brisk trot down the track, soon disappearing into the gloomy darkness, leaving Chase standing there on the rail.
Tor and Matty seemed to merge into one as she worked him around serpentines and figure eights, just doing simple, slightly messy simple changes as his muscles loosened up and he started to relax, only occasionally grabbing at the bit. "Leave it." she grumbled at him, giving him a slight kick in the sides as he gave the reins a sharp tug. He left the bit alone, for the meantime, as she straightened him out and they continued at a steady canter up the turf. Tor was well turned out. His muscles flexed under his short, almost golden chestnut coat as he cantered, and you could see, even in the darkness, how they stood etched out going up his neck and up over his hindqaurters. Four straight legs and solid hooves dug up the turf in small damp clumps as he cantered, his head tucked in tight to his chest as his legs snapped up in easy well-timed strides. His pink nostrils flared as he sucked in oxygen, and his thick chestnut tail flew out behind him as Matty let him have some rein and he started to build up speed. Even the wind couldn't keep up with them as they roared down the track, human and horse like one mind, both fighting the force of gravity as they plumetted down the turf, Tor's mane whipping back and Matty's hair soon out of it's ponytail, her soft blond ringlettes whirling around behind her.
They flew around the corner and Matty soon started to pull back, coaxing him to slow down as they fought off imaginary foes, Tor following her gentle commands from her legs and rein as they weaved across the track, galloping quick along the outside, and then collecting up around imaginary horses and flying onto the inside track, the entire time Tor focused and attentive. For a Thoroughbred he was well mannered and not stupid, and very responsive. However, that was due to the fact he had been hand raised and worked every day, not locked up until he was psychotic. His ears flicked back, his neck slowly gaining a slight sweat under his mane as they rocketed by Chase. Matty fought to bring him up, standing up in the saddle as she turned him in tight circles until he came down to a trot, his knees snapping up tail wrapping around his hocks as he arched his neck and snorted, prancing back towards Chase who was jogging towards them. Tor's dark intelligent eyes were bright with enthusiasm. He loved nothing more than to gallop with Matty, the feel of his muscles strain as his legs flew out in front of him, and his lungs beg for air. Matty slipped from his back, and Chase took the reins as she rubbed life into her stiff limbs and numb fingers. "Wow." was all she said. Chase understood.
Tor stood patiently as they threw a black and purple cooler over him, and walked beside Chase as he cooled him out, leaving Matty to sit and watch on the rail as she started to feel her toes once more. A light steam rose from the colt from the heat of his body, and shimmering clouds of smoke erupted from Tor's pink nostrils as he breathed out, his head still held high and ears pricked forwards. Matty signaled that he was good, and the three walked back to the stables, Tor's reins held loosley in Matty's hands as he rested his head on her shoulder every so often and blew into her ear, lipping at her jacket. "I like your affection but if you bite me your dead." she said to the chestnut as she pushed his muzzle away. "You two have got something between you. I've never seen a horse respect someone like Tor respects you." Chase said, slightly awed. "That's because I kick him in the gut when he pisses me off." she laughed, her pure sweet voice caring across the night. "Haha, true, true." he laughed, as he rested his arm around her shoulders. "Long as I'm still the #1 man in your life." he added with a smile.
"Oh I don't know about that. I mean, look how ripped Tor is, and his big dark eyes, long silky hair. He's going to be a tough one to fend off you know.", Matty's humorous and good natured reply came.
"Mmm, your right. Doubt I could beat him in a race either." Chase laughed, as he leaned down and kissed Matty on the cheek, Tor watching with interested eyes as he tried to butt into the conversation. The only thing visible being the sputtering lantern, which hung from Chase's hand, even the sound of Tor's shod hooves clopping on the cobblestone soon faded away as the trio was engulfed by the still autumn night.