A Country Girl.

Chapter 46

Ty

Patches continued to paw the ground and I got more and more anxious. I watched as Hailey moved toward Patches. Still holding her hand out  "Hailey!! What the Hell are you doing?!" she didn't answer. Patches reared pounding the ground when he came down. I jumped back a little and looked at Hailey worried. 'she didn't even flinch' I thought surprised 'she really has faith in him, I just hope he doesn't ruin that.' 

When Hailey didn't back down Patches nipped at her. 'oh god please don't let Hailey get hurt' I prayed."hey!" Hailey snapped, which didn't surprise since she does have an attitude and a short temper.  "do not do that" she said walking forward "Hailey what the hell!?" I said, she may be strong but she can't take on a full grown horse especially not when she isn't fully healed after what happened.  

"you do not snap at me mister" she said ignoring me "Hailey!" "Ty shut up. your not helping the situation" 'shut Ty your not helping" I mocked.

I watched as Hailey walked closer to Patches. My heart raced as I watched him grow more and more irritated and regretted ever agreeing to give him a chance. Hailey walked closer. And didn't stop. Patches pinned his ears back flat and nickered a warning . 'Hailey what are you doing?' 

When she was only a couple steps away he stepped forward trying to scare her off. When Hailey didn't back down he leaned forward and tried to bite her. "No sir!" she said sternly "you do NOT bite." she stepped closer to where she could touch his nose. He pawed the ground in anger his ears still pinned down.

Hailey continued to walk closer, now she was standing right in front of him and close enough that if he tried to bit her again she wouldn't be able to get away fast enough.

Hailey stood staring into Patches face holding He stared back. She reached her hand out and held it under his nose. His ears were still pinned back but he breathed in deeply then snorted. Hailey flinched but didn't move otherwise. ' she's scared, wow she seemed so confident and sure of herself.' I watched as Hailey just stood there, her eyes were closed and I knew she was praying that this would work.

Fear creeped up inside me and I held my breath. I watched Patches as he continued to stare at Hailey. Then like in slow motion Patches leaned into Hailey's hand. 'she did it!' I thought smiling 'she really did it. '

Hailey opened her eyes and smiled at the horse. I walked over and Patches' head shot up and he nipped at me. I jumped back nearly avoiding his teeth. Hailey quickly took action jumping in between me and him. 

"hey" she snapped "we do not do that." Patches stood there for a minute looking from me to Hailey confused. "we do not bit others." It was like she was talking to a child but it work. Patches dropped his head and began grazing.

Hailey then turned to me and smiled broadly. "you ok?" she asked walking over to me "yeah, he just took me by surprise" "well you shouldn't of walked up to me knowing he isn't very trusting of strangers and people in general" "yeah I should of thought that over" I chuckled rubbing the back of my neck. 

Hailey smiled and stepped closer. I dropped my hand and pulled her close kissing her. She pulled away but didn't leave my arms. She looked up at me and I couldn't help but smile at her innocent looking face.

"so, how about we try this again, the right way this time" she said smirking at me. My smile faded and I looked over at Patches then back at Hailey. "don't worry I'll put the lead on him" I looked back at him then nodded. Hailey smiled and kissed me quick before walking over to Patches.

She quickly slipped the halter over his head then attached the lead rope. "ok, now just walk slowly this way" she instructed. I nodded and started walking slowly toward the horse. He looked up pinning his ears back and bared his teeth.

"heyy" Hailey said tugging gently on the lead. Patches didn't drop his head but he did hid his teeth again. Hailey looked up at me and nodded letting me know it was ok to move. I looked between her and Patches then started walking again.

He let me take a few more steps but nickered angrily. I stopped again and waited. "noo" Hailey said then motioned for me to move forward. 

I started walking once again and made it another few feet. Now I was about two feet from him and he lunged forward teeth bared. I stepped back giving him space. "hey! stop that" Hailey yelled Patches didn't move he just stood in one place and stared at me.

"don't back away, that's what he wants, he wants you to be scared" I nodded. Taking a deep breath and walked toward him. When was close enough I held out my hand for him to inspect. He didn't move right away but after a minute, Patches slowly leaned his head forward and smelled my hand. I stood completely still waiting for him to do something.

He then moved back and started grazing. "well that was a waste of time" "no it wasn't" I looked over at Hailey confused and she had a huge smile on her face. "what do you mean? he didn't even acknowledge me" "so, just cuz he didn't act the way he did with me doesn't mean all this was a waste of time" "I still don't understand" Hailey rolled her eyes and walked over to me taking my hand "Ty, you gained his trust, he knows you won't hurt him  that is the first step in  rehabilitating an abused and mistreated horse and it takes a lot to get there."