Changing Strides

~Chapter 3~

  I gathered Moon's reins and brought her into a collected canter. I aimed her towards one of the fences set up and started counting her steps. She took off and I stood in the saddle as she went airborne. I sat back as Moon came down and picked up the easy canter once again. I slowly eased her into a halt as Meg entered the arena. "So, how'd it go today?" I dismounted Moon and raised the stirrups as I replied, "Went well. Clipped one over there." I pointed a finger over Moon's back to one of the tallest obstacles in the arena. Meg nodded her approval and started walking out. But she stopped and turned around once before leaving. "Give me twenty minutes, I have to talk with Miss. Woods but get Storm ready. You'll need to ride him sooner than later." It was my turn to nod in reply as I walked Moon out of the arena and into the cross ties. I quickly groomed her and got a carrot from the track room. She ate it contentedly as I reached for a blanket and laid it on her back. Moon was then put into her stall and I then grabbed Storm out of his stall and put him into the same cross ties.

I checked and tightened the girth and once I was satisfied with my work I led him into the arena. Meg watched like a hawk as I did groundwork and reviewed the basic commands and gaits. I led Storm over to Meg. She summoned me up as I checked the length of the stirrups and tightened the girth. I let out a teasing growl because when I had tightened the girth earlier, Storm had held his breath. "He certainly knows how to do it." I nodded my head, "No doubt there, I bet ya he's holding his breath right now to." Meg laughed as she came over and grabbed the reins. I mounted Storm standing in the irons to check the stirrup height. They were the right length so I settled into the saddle and Meg put the reins over Storm's neck so I could grab it. I lowered my heels and gently squeezed Storm's side and he cooperatively moved into a walk. I encouraged him to trot after a couple laps of walking. I posted in the saddle until I saw the que from Meg to canter him. Nudging Storm slightly he moved into an easy canter as I collected the reins. I slowly brought him to a walk after about ten minutes of changing gaits. I looked at Meg for approval. "I think he can learn, no he will learn to love, and he'll end up loving you. He already trusts you. Do you trust him?" I looked at Meg as I started to lead Storm out, "I try to trust every 1200 pound animal I ride." Meg said no more so I walked Storm to the cross ties to groom him and give the well deserved love he was always meant to have.