The Great Expedition

Chapter 5

In the morning Kristie awoke to the rooster's cock-a-doodle-doo telling everyone it was morning. Kristie quickly got dressed in jeans and a t shirt. She then went to the bathroom to brush her hair, put it into a ponytail and brush her teeth. Kristie went downstairs and sat at the table awaiting breackfeast. After breakfeast was serverd Kristie went outside and headed towards the paddock where Moonshine was. Once at the gate Kristie untangled the royal purple halter and started her trek towards Moonshine who was standing under the big oak tree at the other end of the paddox farthest away from the gate. Once Moonshine was tied up in the barn Kristie went to work on grooming her. 

Once she was clean Kristie went to the tack room and got a saddle pad then walked back to Moonshine, then went back to the tack room to lug the heavy saddle to Moonshine. Once Moonshine was all tacked up kristie lead her out of the barn and into the round pen. Then Kristie mounted Moonshine and cued her to walk forward. After about 10 minuets of just walking Kristie cued Moonshine for a trot. After trotting and loping for a bit Kristie decided to continue to teach Moonshine how to do a sliding stop, the only probleme with Moonshine is when Kristie asked her to stop with her leg Moonshine just stopped automatically instead of sliding while stopping. 

After about an hour workout Kristie cooled down Moonshine, lead her back to the barn and started untacking her. Once Mooshine was groomed Kristie turned her out in her paddox and gave hay to all of the horses. She then went to the gelding's paddox and gave them hay. Kristie then went back into the barn to start turning out the inside horses. While Kristie was turning out horses her parent came down to the barn and started to help. When all of the horses were outside and fed Kristie went to the gelding pastures and got Double R for his workout. All the way up to the barn Double R kept kicking out and ears permently pinned back, angry that someone had the nerve to take him away when food still needed to be eaten.  

After a frustrating ride on Double R Kristie turned him back out where Double R was very thrilled to be back and munching on some food. When Kristie got back to the barn she was greeted by a charming family. 

Hello, said Kristie

Hello, we were wondering if you could go on a trail ride. I called yesterday and booked us an hour trail ride. Said the mother.

Ahh yes you must be the Davies

Yes we are.

OK I will show you the horses now. Kristie took the family down to the gelding's pasture first. Here are some horses  you can choose from, if you do not want to ride any of those horses we also have some lovely mares to choose from. 

Actually I would like to ride that handsome black and white horse standing by the shelter. Said the father.

OK that is Patch, he is not normally ridden on trails are you sure you want to ride him?

Yes 

OK I will go grab him for you and then you can either head up to the barn or you can continue walking with us while you family chooses.

I will walk him up to the barn.

Does anyone else want a horse from here? asked Kristie

Yes can I have the red horse please? asked the little boy who looked about 5

I think he is too big for you, but we have a little black pony about your size if you want to ride him? Kristie said

Ok

Now lets go to the mare pasture. Once at the mare pasture Kristie asked any horses here you would like?

Yes I would like to ride that black horse over by the water tank. Said the mother.

Very well I will go grab her right now. Anybody else want a horse from here.

No thanks 

Ok here you go mrs Davies. Ok next to the pony paddock. Straight away once they reached the pony paddock the little boy shouted ''I WANT THAT BLACK PONY''!!!!!

Well that is great because that is the pony you are going to ride. 

Kristie went into the paddock to get Blueberry once she had shut the gate behind her and the pony, she handed the lead rope to the little boy and they started the walk up to the barn. Once in the barn Kristie helped tie up Blueberry, Patch and Murmur. Once all the horses were tied up Kristie went into the tack room and brought out three buckets each containing a body brush, a soft brush, a hoof pick and a mane and tail comb. 

I will show you how to groom your horses. After about half an hour all three horses were tacked up and the whole family was dressed to ride, wearing riding boots and a helmet each. Once they were all mounted Kristie started explaining how to control the horses.

To turn left pull on your left rein and your horses will start to turn left. To turn right pull your right rein and your horse will turn right. To stop pull on both reins at a time and they will stop. To go forward gently sqeeze your legs against their sides and they will go forward. Got it?

At the start of the trail Kristie's mother was halted waiting for the group. Did you teach them the basics? she asked once Kristie arrived with the group. Yes. Kristie responded. Very well then. We will be off. While we are gone can you please muck out the bottom paddock and refill the water tanks in each paddock? Yep.

Once the group left Kristie started mucking out the paddock. After about an hour out in the sun she went inside for a tall glass of refreshing lemonade. After she finished her tall glass of lemonade she went back outside to try and find her dad. Once she found him out behind the barn fixing he looked up and said hi honey how are your chores going?

There going.

That's good 

Well I will on my way I just wanted to say hi

Ok bye honey, Oh wait before you go can you make sure you are on time for dinner tonight? We have something to tell you.

Sure dad.

As Kristie walked away she thought what could be super important that they have to tell me over dinner and together? Maybe we are getting a new horse that they want me to train. Yes that is probably it.

Authours note 

The photo up at the top is Willow.

QOTD? What is your favorite book genre?

Mine would probably be mystery.