Turn N' Burn

Chapter 2

                                          At the barn, the air was thick with the smell of fresh sawdust and horse. Perfect. She took a deep breath, taking in all those odd, but lovely scents. The isles were clean and the roof had recently been cobwebbed. She read off the names until she reached her horse. Prince, Abby, Lucky, Belle, and Rocky. The black horse looked up at her, his large blaze shone white against the darkness. "Hey, Rocky. How you doing?" He snorted and walked toward her. Amber stroked his white nose and turned to the wall, flipping on the light. Now she could see his sky blue eyes staring back. In the center of the barn, was a huge indoor arena. Three barrels were standing there, from yesterday's training.
                                        She grabbed his halter, that matched his blue eyes, and slipped it on his head. She clipped on the lead rope and led him to the cross ties. Amber grabbed her saddle pad, saddle, breast collar, wraps, and bridle and walked uneasily back to Rocky. She set them down next to him. "How do you make carrying all this look so easy?" She asked playfully. After a quick brush, she put the saddle pad on his back, followed by the saddle. She tightened the sinch and went for the breast collar. She attached it to one side, then the other, and lastly to the girth. Rocky always took the bit easily, and went for the arena.
                                       Once again, she tightened the sinch and slid into the saddle. Queuing with her heel, they began to warm up. Two laps this way walking, two the other. Two laps that way trotting, two laps the other. After the last trotting lap was made, she kissed at him to canter. Correct lead, too! Rocky was never good with his leads. The only sound was her breathing and the pounding of his hooves. "I see you are here too!" A voice called beside her, breaking the silence. She turns to see Alexis waving at her. "Hi!" Amber called back. "Whoa." She told Rocky to stop. "You doing barrels too, or are you going to the outdoor?" I asked.
"Well, I was planning on doing pleasure, but since you are here, I'll do barrels. Miko needs his training anyway." She glanced to the small bay Arabian pawing at the ground. "Haha, yea." I said in response. "Ok, well I'm gonna get started."
"Ok, I'll be in soon."
Pick up the right lead, circle and just loap this run. Rocky's pace was more of a bunny hop than a lope. He'll have to get used to it. First barrel. Right foot forward, left back, right hand up, left hand on the horn, sit back.....  The list went on and on as they practiced their turns. They trotted home, and walked a lap before they tried it for real. Rocky was a free-runner, he didn't need to be encouraged to run his heart out. Before they took off, she checked to see if Alexis was ready to ride yet. Still putting her bridle o.. Her thoughts were cut off when Rocky lunged forward, catching her off guard. "NO! Absolutely not!" She screamed at him, she did not ask him to do that. She circled and kicked until he realized what he'd done. She kept her cool, and walked another lap. "What was that all about?" Alexis asked. "He lunged forward and almost knocked me off. I never asked him to run. That could be a problem if not dealt with." Amber responded. Alexis shrugged. She was always a bit too soft on horses.
                                                   Amber rolled her eyes and began to train again. Go. She thought and kicked and screamed at Rocky to go. And run he did, almost too fast. "Easy!" I yelled as we neared first barrel. Almost like second nature, she went into perfect position and lifted her inside leg to save the barrel. She lost what breath she was holding in as a shock shook her body at second barrel, likely by Rock's feet turning harshly. She whipped him once and turned third with ease. She kicked and whipped home. A beautiful 14.02 was on the clock, but if felt like so much longer. Realizing she had barely breathed since second barrel, she took a large breath in. Amazing. Perfect place to stop. She rubbed his neck gently and walked him out.