For the Love of Horses

Chapter 9

Chapter 9
Amethysts POV

It takes quite a while to get Acorn to settle down in his stall and let me run the brushes over him. Mud is covers his coat and sticks and bits of grass and straw are tangled through his over grown mane and long, ratty tail. But once he is done he looks like a different horse. He look gorgeous!
“He looks like a different horse!” Jason says as he plonks my saddle down on the stable door.
“Haha, thanks. He’s beautiful,” I state as I add the finishing touches to his feet. I place the hoofpick back in Acorns royal blue grooming bag and turn to face Jason.
“That for me?” I ask indicating to the saddle that hangs over the stable door.
“Yep. Do you know how to put it on?” He questions.
“Hey! I’m not 3 remember!” I sass adding in a hair flick at the end.
“I’m just checking,” he retorts quickly backing away with his hands up. “Well if you change your mind and decide you need me, I’ll be over there, mucking out Artemis’s stall.
“Okay!” I call out to his retreating figure.
“So it’s just you and me boy,” I say smiling up at him. I turn and grab the royal blue saddle cloth that lies on the door, almost dropping it when Acorn freaks and struggles against the quick release knot that I have him tied up with.
“Woah Boy, calm down!” I coo reaching out to stroke his mane. He calms down almost instantly but continues to eye off the saddle cloth.
“Oh I’m sorry I completely forgot! I didn’t even think that you haven’t been ridden in ages. Here.” I offer the saddle cloth up to him to sniff and get accustomed to.
“Its just a saddle cloth. It won’t hurt you I promise.”
He glares at it obviously not convinced.
Are you sure? It looks scary.
I laugh before showing him, “No look it’s not. I promise.” I flip the saddle cloth over his back and wait for the worst. But nothing. He stands completely still. Yes sure, slightly stiff, but still.
“Good Boy!” I call out hugging his neck. “Ok now the saddle.”
Once again I place it over his back and once again he is perfect. Even for tightening up the girth, although he does look at me in complaint, he eyes seeming to ask Does it have to be that tight?
Before long we are fully tacked up and ready to go.
I run to the tack room, grab my helmet and gloves and we’re ready.
“Jason?” I call out.
No answer.
“Jason, I’m finished!”
“Ok good sorry I couldn’t hear you properly. I’ll show you to the riding ring. Mr Smith is waiting for you there.”
He goes to take Acorns reins from my hand but quickly darts back as the horse pins his ears and nips at his shoulder.
“Hey! What was that for!” he yells accusingly at Acorn.
“I don’t think he likes you very much.” I laugh. “Come on Acorn!” I flip my hair and right on cue Acorn swishes his tail, leaving a very confused Jason the need to run to catch up with us.

Authors Note:
Would you rather one more Chapter from Amethyst explaining what it is like to ride Acorn or skip that and go straight into introducing some new characters? hmmmm...

tricky descions!