Hooves on the Heart: Book 1 Start of Steele

Chapter 5

Hi guys hope yall are enjoying the story. This story touches my heart in many ways and is dedicated to my first horse Alleycat.

The next morning I woke up extra early to finish my chores ,so I could put in a whole day of training in with Steele. As I was halfway to the barn to feed the broodmares ,I looked out at the track and saw my dad leaning on the rail watching one of our new 2 year olds Lafancy Sheik get worked. Who I didn't recognize was the exercise rider,he was a young guy with blonde hair and blue eyes and did I mention gorgeous.He looked to be in his later teens maybe sixteen or seventeen years old, and his riding was great.

I ran over to stand next to my dad ,and decided to watch the young filly get exercised and get a scope of the new guy, before heading to my chores. I had to find out who the hot new young guy was that was working for us. " Hey sweetheart , " my dad said wrapping his arms around my shoulders. " This little filly is interesting she has a lot of speed . We just need to figure out the key to unlocking it. Samuel here is doing a pretty good job." He stated.The look on my dad's showed respect for the young guy. " Samuel?" I questioned. My dad looked to me and smiled. " Don't worry Khloe you are my main jockey and exercise rider, but Noel informed me a couple days ago she no longer wants to ride. So with you training Steele and Noel not riding, I had to hire an extra groom and exercise rider." He said smiling sadness in his voice .

I knew the move had affected Noel ,but I didn't realize it had been this much.Noel might be a girly girl , but she had always loved riding and horses. My dad motioned Samuel to the rail. He rode Sheik over to us and took off his helmet shaking out his golden hair before putting it back on his head. He smiled at us looking me over ever so closely I thought . " Yes sir," he stated. " Samuel this is my oldest daughter Khloe. She is the one always riding and helping me." My father declared. Samuel looked over at me and gave me a small smile." Nice to meet you Khloe. Call me Sam" He declared." Hello ." I stuttered,feeling butterflies in my stomach. " So Sheik is looking good . Do you have any ideas on getting her to open up full speed?" My dad questioned. Samuel turned his full attention to my dad ,and they got to talking on ideas of getting the filly to open up. But I did not miss the look Sam gave me before I walked away.

I left them to it and walked up to the barn to get my chores done. Once the broodmares were fed and watered, I walked to the tack room to grab a halter and lead line for training Steele. The first thing for me to get her to accept was a halter and lead rope so she could lead and tie without having a fit. I grabbed a turquoise halter and lead line that I had intentionally bought a long time ago for the day I would train my own horse. Smiling to myself at the thought of Steele actually being half mine, I trekked out to the round pen. Steele was standing in the back of the round pen back leg cocked and relaxed napping. I tried to approach quietly, until a twig snapped under my boot. Immediately her ears pinned back and she trotted away. I slowly pulled myself over the railing so not to alarm her anymore. Once I was in the middle of the pen ,I turned my cell phone music on . Steele's ears came up as soon as the song came on . I slowly walked towards her ,ears up and attentive looking me over. I kept the halter and lead line down close to my left knee as I neared her. She snorted when I was only a foot away from her , so to make myself seem less threatening I sat down halter in my lap. I have learned that patience above anything is key in a horses training. My stomach started growling so I pulled some grapes out of my front jeans pocket and started snacking on them. Steele suddenly became very interested in my hands and the smell of the food , and started slowly approaching me.