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10, Practice Makes Progress

The next few days Britta built on her skills and practiced every spare moment. A strong bond formed between her and Thunder and she spent long mornings and evenings cementing it. She saw the Fox every day after training, learning to track through the forest to find him in various areas every day, still whipping out her dagger in a salute whenever she saw him. The first day off they got was a Sunday.

When Britta woke up she was happy to fall back to sleep until the sun was up. It was still early morning but the sun was up and for her at least, it was a sleep in. She remembered to be quiet as everyone else slept in, even Diana. Britta decided to let her rest; she had spent every morning climbing the cliff with her, though she was getting faster and more confident she still froze when she looked down. Britta gathered up the halter and went to the paddock to get Thunder. He still would not let her put it on but she needed to have him accept it by the next day as they would spend the morning riding again and though she found it perfectly fine to ride him bridle-less and barebacked she knew she would most likely be accused of being lazy if she didn't saddle him up.

He and Hoshi both walked over to greet her, Fawn nickered a question about Diana and Britta was quick to tell her that her sister wanted a sleep in. All three horses had an annoying habit of using the link the twins had established to call out when they were wanted, regardless of whatever else they were doing. Britta held out the halter and squinted against the snort Thunder blew at her.

"Come on Thunder, do you want me to get told off?" She asked, sending him a glare but not getting into the paddock.

"No halter."

"I know you're scared of it-"

"No scared, just don't want halter."

Britta smiled sympathetically but kept the words to herself. Thunder wouldn't admit he was scared if the world depended on it. "I need to put it on you, we'll get in a lot of trouble otherwise."

"Can ride without it, easy to know signals, no need."

"Yes but it's part of training. What if I need to ride another horse that doesn't know the signals we developed?"

"Will always ride Thunder." He said kicking the fence. "Want run now."

Britta deliberately turned to go. "No ride until you let me put on halter. No treats either, only dry hay. Come on Hoshi, I'm glad you're sensible."

Thunder nickered as Britta led Hoshi to the tack shed, then in her mind she heard Thunder.

Fine, come, put on bridle, put on saddle, put on all gear, you ride me, not Hoshi.

Britta grinned, knowing it would work.

"You don't mind, do you Hoshi?"

"Will follow until clearing, then graze." Britta patted her on the withers, "Good girl, I wasn't lying when I said you were sensible."

Hoshi nosed at her jacket and Britta pulled out one of the small carrots before grabbing the saddle that would fit Thunder - one of the biggest ones there - and draping the riding blanket and bridle over top. She put the gear she had prepared to put on Hoshi back neatly and ran back to the paddock. She put the halter she had got out gently on Thunder's nose, she felt his breathing quicken and knew he was nervous. Britta then led him back to the tack shed and put the riding blanket over his back, then the saddle, Thunder still bent down so she could reach but she felt him stiffen when the weight was on his back. Britta was very careful when she reached under his belly to do up the girth and adjusted the stirrups to a better length, spending a long time on them to give Thunder time to get used to the straps running around his body.