Hooves on the Heart: Book 1 Start of Steele

Chapter 8

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Later that evening, I decided to do as my mom suggested and take Steele into a stall in the barn.I walked out to her round pen with a halter and lead in hand. She approached me slowly ,licking her lips , but her ears were pricked forward showing curiosity. I took the throat latch of the halter and brought it up to her neck slipping the noseband up and over her nose latching it. I clipped the lead and started walking to the gate . Steele stayed next to me as we had practiced, until I went to open the gate. She stopped short her eyes wide snorting loudly in fear of the know open gate. I decided to keep talking to her low and I walked backwards out the gate with one end of the lead. She kept watching me intently, I slowly walked back thru the gate to her and patted her neck showing her that it wasn't going to harm her.Letting out a sigh and a yawn Steele relaxed , I went forward thru the gate again and Steele continued to follow me. It was a big step for her trusting me enough to follow me into new places.

As we approached the barn she didn't stop like she had at the gate. She continued next to me all the way into the last stall on the left. I had already put hay in her stall and filled her water bucket, so I slowly slipped off the halter  and she walked over straight to the hay. I shut the door of the stall and just watched her as she continued to eat. The horse next to her was my dad's docile mare in training Lafancy Sheik. She nuzzled my arm wanting me to pay her attention. I laughed rubbing her black head. " Ok girl I see you. Are you ready for your first race?" I asked. She nuzzled my arm and pushed on my chest. " Ok I think you can do it too. It the meantime be nice to Steele. She needs a horse friend." I declared. Steele came over to the stall  door hearing me talk. She lipped my ponytail before turning and sniffing Sheik. I stepped back as they sniffed each other , and Sheik started playing with Steeles mane over the door. Sighing to myself, I knew Steele moving into the barn had been successful.

I walked up to the house really tired after such a long good day. Mom and dad were situated on the porch ,sitting in rockers drinking coffee. " How did it go?" Mrs Fagan asked . I leaned against the porch railing yawning. " She did really well. Nervous at first of the gate , but she overcame that and followed me right into the stall.Now her and Sheik are making friends" I stated. My dad took a sip of his coffee." Good she seems to be acclimating well to things. Her trusting you has a big hand in that." He declared. I started yawning again. " I am heading up." I stated. " I am beat. Goodnight mom and dad." I said leaning down and giving both a kiss on the cheek. " Goodnight sweetheart. Get you some rest ." My mom declared. " Goodnight babygirl. Keep up the good work with Steele." Mr Fagan stated. " Thanks dad,"I replied,heading in the house.

As I climbed the stairs, I noticed Noel's door was open to her room. I looked in and she was at her desk reading. Internally sighing,I decided to try and be the better big sister. Knocking I waited for her to look over. Noel didn't even raise her head ." What do you want Khloe?" She asked. I walked in and sat on the edge of her bed. " How are you doing?" I asked. Noel raised her head and gave me a sarcastic look. " Khloe why do you keep asking when you already know the answer," She replied.  " I just want you to know I am here for you if you want to talk." I state. Noel rolls her eyes , before looking back down at her book. " Whatever," she mumbles. I get up and close Noel s door behind me. Shaking my head I head up to my room to get a shower. The warm water felt amazing to my aching joints, once clean I pulled on my  Pjs. As soon as I laid on my bed and closed my eyes I was asleep.