two different worlds || niall horan [completed]

~Chapter 3~

Chapter 3

I threw on my muck boots and ripped off my cardigan as I sauntered across the road to Talia's paddock. Damn you Canadian weather. The winters were always stupidly cold, and the summers were always scorching hot. Why can't we just have normal weather?! Sigh. I grabbed her halter that was hanging off the fence and the lead that was on the ground. I then walked across the messy grass over to the pond, where she was grazing. I had always loved this field. We had the two hay feeders, a shelter for when the weather is bad, a giant pond that was in the middle, and at the back there were a bunch of trees for the hoses to walk through. It was beautiful.

Talia noticed me walking and decided to make life easier for me. She casually made her way over to me, and I slipped the halter over her head. I clipped the buckle in place before snapping the lead on and then I lead her into the barn. Talia always loved being in the barn, you could tell by her attitude. And it doesn't surprise me either. This whole farm was gorgeous. The inside of the barn had 4 big stalls on either side, and in the middle were the cross-ties. Then in the hallway on the left, there was the tack room, filled with English and western (mainly western) saddles and bridles. Everything was always so neat. Then across the hall was the bathroom, equipped with medical supplies for humans and horses, and a toilet and sink. If you make your way down the other hallway, it opens up to a big viewing area to the arena. The viewing area was my favourite part. Kathleen always had us tidying it up since we always made a mess in there. It had windows everywhere, and in the middle was this huge gas fireplace made out of stone. Around it were leather couches. In the corner were a huge refrigerator and a microwave.

To enter the arena, you had to go outside, and through a door. The arena was huge, and it was packed with the best ground you could have. That's the only way we wanted it. We had a tractor in a closed off area for when they would drag it every week. The opposite wall was closed off as well, for where we stored our jumps, poles, cones, and barrels. These closed off areas weren't directly in the corner, but close to it. This way, it created almost like a chute for when we practiced barrels. It was perfect. The arena was also insulated, and it had a heating and cooling system. Buy you had to remember to turn them on at least half an hour before the lesson so that it would work properly, and turn it off right away.

I hooked up Talia in the cross ties and I pull out my grooming kit. Damn horse had rolled over night and was covered in hard mud. I used my brushes to clean every inch of her and make her main and tail knot free before putting them into braids. Then I walked into the tack room and grabbed my English saddle and tack. I threw on the saddle pad and saddle, did up the girth, put on her bridle, and walked out of the barn.

I tied Talia to the wall and began to set up the jumps. I only put them at around 2'6 because she didn't need to work the muscles too much. Yes I know what you're thinking, 'Why is she jumping?! I thought she was a barrel horse?' Yep she is a barrel horse, but she needs to work her other muscles also to keep her in good shape.

I threw the reins over her neck and climbed on her back easily. We did the normal warm up, plus a few figure eights, just to make sure that her flying lead changes where still coming easily. Then we jumped a bit, and then hopped off and took off all her tack, throwing it over the fence that was holding in the tractor.

I lead Talia to the foot stool and climbed on her back. We both loved doing this. I began to walk her around the arena, bareback and bridleless. This is where we connected the most. I moved her into a trot, and used my legs to steer her in the right direction. Then we moved into a smooth canter, and we made a circle. I stuck my arms out, balancing myself. I felt a smile come upon my face. My horse was so perfect. I love her so much.

I slowed her down to a trot, and then to a walk, and then I jumped off. I came around front and looked at her. She nuzzled her face into my arms. I giggled and rested my face on her neck, and hugged her. Then I asked her, "Do you want to go to England?" her eyes bored into mine and she snorted. I had my answer.

I'm really sorry its so short, the next chapters are a lot longer, i promise!

~reachingforthestarsx

Picture on the side is what i imagined Ella to look like.

I'm planning on having a picture up of someone or something that involves the story on the side bar, but if you want to see all the pictures right away, heres the link to photobucket and the password is: twodifferentworlds (http://s1342.beta.photobucket.com/user/reachingforthestarsx/library/Two%20Different%20Worlds%20Characters%20and%20Others)

Also, some of the pictures on photobucket are different to the ones i upload on the side, mainly the ones that i pictured Ella to be playing. The Ella in photobucket is the real one, but when i went to try and re-find the picture on google (since you need a link to do a multimedia) i couldn't find her :( boo.

Thanks everyone!

I want to hear your feedback so comments with constructive critisism would be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!