Endeavor

Chapter 3

The girth that I was trying to fit on Magen barely fit, so I added a new girth to the list of things I needed to buy for her. I checked my saddle before grabbing the bridle Kenyon had lent me and adjusted the straps a little.

Magen eyed me as I walked up beside her to her face. She ducked her head down at first as I slipped the reins over her head before throwing her head up really high as I removed the halter from her head. 

Gently she put her head back down and I quickly slipped the rubber snaffle into her mouth, grabbing at my chance. When she registered that the bridle was on her head, she started gnawing on the bit and making the rubber squeak. I quietly laughed at her antics and finished adjusting the bridle to her head. 

As I picked the reins up from her neck, I snapped the clasps of my helmet shut. Magen followed me obediently to the outdoor arena for her first ride her. You could hardly tell she was the same horse as the one that had arrived a week ago.

Magen had gained around 30 pounds and had gained a bit of muscle from all the lunging and groundwork. 

I halted her in front of the mounting block and checked her girth and pulled down my stirrups. From a quick glance to the side, I could spot Kenyon and Alesia standing by the fence and watching Magen and I. 

I smiled nervously as I put one foot into the stirrup and slowly swung myself over and comfortably into the saddle. 

Magen flinched a little bit as I sat down, but didn't move other than that. I gave her a little pat on the neck for not taking off with me. 

I pulled on the right rein slightly to try and signal Magen to go to the rail. She obeyed while swiveling her ears in every which way, getting used to her surroundings. 

I let her walk for a little bit on a loose rein before gathering up some of my reins. At that small adjustment, Magen jumped forwards into a springy gallop. 

I could feel myself starting to fly out of the saddle, and I quickly gathered my reins and worked on getting my seat back before turning her in a small circle to slow down and halt. 

Magen started breathing heavily and I suddenly realized that she probably hadn't been ridden since she got off the track. She still seemed to be in a racetrack mindset. 

~

After about an hour of walk and trot work, I was able to get Magen to listen to some of my commands partially, but the work I still needed to get done was clearly visible. 

"Well, that was kind of... Chaotic." Alesia commented.

"You could say that." I replied quickly, while trying to keep Magen from squirming all over the aisle. 

"I believe in you. You've done great with all of the babies, so this shouldn't be much different." Alesia half-smiled at me.

"But those babies have never been ridden on a racetrack, nevertheless, ridden at all." I started getting a little frustrated, can't she see I need a little bit of time to think?

"You need to believe in yourself. Kenyon and I believe in you. If you don't think she's the right horse, you can always get a new one." Alesia suggested.

"You just said you believed in me being able to train Magen, and then you tell me to get a new one? I can see straight through your lies, and I'm done with them." I was shocked by my outburst, and by the look on Alesia's face, she was too. 

"You know what? Fine. I can see I'm not wanted here. I guess I'll just leave. I would say nice being with you today, but it wasn't. It was downright nasty." With that, she turned around and left. 

I could feel tears brimming in my eyes, as I continued to brush down Magen. A choked sob finally made it's appearance and I just started sobbing. I leaned my forehead on Magen's chest and swiveled my body around so I could hug her. Magen dipped her head down and rested it on my shoulder, and I could feel a comfort well up inside of me from this sign of affection from my horse. 

After a little bit of just letting all of my pent-up anger and sadness, I unhooked Magen from the crossties and walked with her to a washstall. I didn't even realize I forgot a lead rope, as she walked right beside me. 

I gave her a quick bubble bath before walking her back to her stall. Reaching into my pocket, I realized I didn't have any treats in my pocket. 

I dragged my feet into the tack room and grabbed some treats from my tack trunk. 

"Are you alright?" 

I spun around to see a small girl that looked about my age, with frizzy red hair and too many freckles to count. 

"Me and my friend just had a fight, and I don't know if I could ever regain her as a friend." I mumbled. 

The girl just walked up and gave me a hug. I didn't even know her, and I don't know how because she rides at the same barn as me. 

"My name is Alys. I just moved here, so if you were wondering, that's probably why you haven't seen me before."

That actually makes more sense, now that I think about it, because I know about everyone that rides at Cedar Field. 

"Thanks." I walk away and internally yell at myself for not saying more. 

I somehow find myself in Magen's stall in the back corner, just looking at my snacking mare. 

(Yeah, so kind of boring chapter, but to be honest, I cried writing this even though it's not even that sad.)