Forever Rose

Chapter 6: The First Ride

"So have you ever ridden before?" Natalie asked as we walked down to the barn. I wasn't usualy an early riser, but I guess six is the normal for these people.

"Well, unless you count at fairs and stuff, not really," I replied.

"That's ok. I can teach you!" She smiled at me excitedly.

We got to the barn doors and slid them open. Nat turned on the fuzzy lights that lit up the isle. All of the horses stook their heads out from the stalls, nickering and whinning.

"Wow they sound hungry," I told Natalie.

"Yah they always do this, but it never gets old," she smiled. We both walked of to the feed room, getting everybody's breakfast organized. Nat made sure not to give me Rose's today, to be nice I guess.

After everybody got their grain, Nat grabbed Fudge's red halter, slipped it on him and put him in the crossties between the isle.

"Do you wanna ride Fudge? He's really sweet," Natalie told me, stroking his forehead.

"Yeah, sure," I smiled. I started to get excited.

"The only promblem he has is that he gets really timid around traffic. But if were in the arena we should be good," Natalie smiled.

We tacked up Fudge in a western saddle, and Nat had grabbed Huckleberry to ride with me. After getting through the barn door we made our way through the snow to a small indoor arena. It was very cozy inside, even though it wasnt very warm, it was way better than being outside.

The nice, cozy slence was broken by Huck who screamed a loud whinny.

Nat lightly smack him on the shoulder, "Huckelberry, would you knock that off? It's an arena for pete's sake!" She sarcastacly commented.

I chuckled as fudge made a quiet nicker, as if he was laughing too.

"Ugh, Huck and his bad manners," She rolled her eyes, and patted the paint's head. " Are you ready to get on?"

"Yeah, I'm kinda excited," I smiled.

"Okay, that's good," Nat exclaimed as she put her foot in the stirrup and swung over the saddle, "Can you get it?" Natalie asked.

"Yah, I think so," I replied trying to sound confident. I was glad that Fudge was a pony, otherwise I don't know if  I could've made it up. I sank my butt into the saddle and gave Fudge's reins a shake.

"Go you silly pony," I told Fudge sternly. He snorted and stood there with a dull look.

"Just give him a little squeeze with your legs, Shi," Natalie yelled across the arena.

"Ok," I gave her a nod and did as she said. The brown pony was jogging as I bounced un comfortably in the saddle.

"Sit down in your seat a little more and say 'easy boy' to him." Natalie told me as she trotted up to my side.

"Easy boy," I tolde Fudge as he slowed to a walk.

"Wow your a natural!" Natalie smiled at me.