|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 6, 2008 18:59:20 GMT -5
The sun was bright, yet not hot enough to warm up the cool yet pleasant land. Garrett's green eyes shone as he walked down the path that led to the round pen. No he wasn't riding. No, he didn't want to. He had his reasons... did anyone know them? No. He did. He stepped carefully, making sure to watch the horses hooves that fell down beside him, thud.... thud..... thud..... thud.... all four hooves beating in rhythm.
Garrett opened the gate to the round pen, carefully, slowly, and cautiously. He glanced around quickly to look for people, once sure he saw no one, he led the horse in. People person? No, he wasn't. He smiled softly then closed the gate, making sure it was tightly shut, not to open. He walked away from the gate, Hassle tailing him closely. Okay Hassle, today you get a little workout. Garrett's words came out soft, smooth, icy, and cold. He didn't ride nowadays. He was an advanced rider, but in three months, he hasn't jumped on a horse. He didn't even take Hassle out to lunge, today he had nothing to do, he had moved, and now, he figured he'd do something nice.
He clipped the lunge line onto the horse's halter ring under his chin, unclipped the lead rope and hung in on the side rail. He moved to the center of the pen and ushered Hassle away to the outside. Hassle moved out quickly, a trot itching at his heels. Garrett watched the andalusian's gait before asking for a canter. The horse made the transition easily, his canter smooth and graceful. Garrett smiled again, remembering the feeling he got when he was on, but he shook those feelings off. He watched his father die due to a horse riding injury... now he was traumatized. He didn't think anyone could change that. He needed a miracle. Hassle snorted and Garrett watched hte horse rear up. Easy boy, easy. He cooed to the horse, and Hassle tossed his head and conitnued, ths time, he bucked, getting more energy displaced. Garrett laughed at the stallion's eagerness to play.
The two were perfect play mates. Garrett a feisty hot headed nineteen year old boy who liked challenges and Rumor Has It, a young, hot blooded, hot headed, fast working, challenging, head strong, fire willed, and temparamental horse. No one else mattered right now, Garrett and Hassle were sharing their moment.
|
|
|
|
Post by femalefred on Feb 6, 2008 19:57:06 GMT -5
"You really are an unpleasant horse sometimes," Ella muttered, glaring at the appaloosa she was walking back from the Merry-Go-Round Pen. She'd been lunging Chief in the misplaced belief that it would be easier to do that than to work the gelding by schooling him. Instead, it had just been an hour of him walking, trotting and refusing to canter more than a few steps as she tried to give him an appropriate amount of exercise
As they passed the round pen, he halted altogether. That was unusual, even for this phenomenally lazy beast - his ground manners were usually very good, even when there were other horses about. As it was, the 16 year old stuck his head into the air and let out a piercing whinny, nostrils flaring as he looked at the andalusian and his owner.
"Shut it. Sorry about that!" Ella called to the boy, clucking quietly to herself when she caught sight of the stallion. He was a nice looking horse, even if he did seem full of beans.
|
|
|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 6, 2008 20:58:09 GMT -5
The sound of the whinny from another horse caught Hassle's attention. The andalusian shot his head upwards and whinnied back. Garrett jumped, the resounding of the horses startling him. He shuddered then grabbed the lunge line closer to the clip to settle Hassle. Easy boy, easy, it's just another horse.
Garrett flicked his eyes over to the girl and horse. Very nice looking, the horse. He grabbed the lead rope and clipped it, taking the lunge line off. He pulled on the rope and led Hassle to the side. Nice horse. Garrett eyed the gelding, his green eyes holding the reflection like a mirror would do you. Hassle danced in place, his piaffe well trained and precise. Garrett felt the stallion pull on the rope, the horse was backing up quickly. Easy boy, what's wrong? Hassle flicked his tail, his ears laid back.
Garrett looked at the latch on the gate and debated. Hassle had been worked out now for at least fifteen minutes. He deserves more, but with the thought of people walking by, well, the thought was too much. Garrett scratched the back of his neck, his brown locks getting shuffled slightly as he reached behind him. Hassle whinnied again, then began to paw.
Garrett straightened up then walked to the gate. He opened it then closed it again behind him and Hassle. The boy walked towards the pastures, then stopped. He turned to the girl and stared. My bad. I'm Garrett, this is Rumor Has It, or Hassle.
|
|
|
|
Post by femalefred on Feb 6, 2008 21:07:08 GMT -5
Chief snorted happily when he got a response from the much younger horse, and took a step towards the round pen, his ground manners seeming to dissolve into nothing when compared with his interest in this other horse that he'd not encountered before. Of course, he wouldn't have - the appaloosa was turned out in the Ritz pasture, and the young stallion was kept in one of the smaller fields.
"Hey! Wish you'd got this excited about your working," Ella muttered, tugging gently on the leadrope to ask the bay not to take any further steps. "Thanks, though you should probably tell Hope that, not me. This is one Chief, he's one of the lesson plods."
At this point, the young stallion in the pen began backing up and fussing, prancing on the spot either in frustration or nervousness, Ella couldn't tell from where she was stood.
"I'm Ella. My own's still dozing in his stall, name of Duke. It's nice to meet you, Garrett, Hassle," she replied, smiling and nodding to both boy and horse.
|
|
|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 7, 2008 16:58:48 GMT -5
Garrett smiled. He glanced at the pastures again, but focused his attention again on the girl who dubbed herself Ella. I haven't met Hope yet. Just barely got here three months ago... Hassle here has improved on his health though, and seems quite happy. But I haven't taken him out as much anymore. Today was a big surprise. He spoke honestly, not realizing he was.
Hassle lowered his head and grabbed Garrett's back pocket where the two sugar cubes remained. He pushed Garrett before pulling back. Hassle! No, no sugar cubes right now! He pulled away, twisting his body away from Hassle's tightened grip. He patted the horses nose softly before turniing back around.
My horse is a prococious one, hyper, and strong willed, I love it. He chuckled, the soft bouncing of his vocal box producing a rich, smooth, honey soaked laugh that could make an emo smile. He stopped himself before staring at the gelding. I'd love to meet Duke, horses are my specialty. I find them easier to get along with, you dont have to guess what they are feeling like them girls. He smiled again, And it's a pleasure to meet you and the not so your horse, Chief.
|
|
|
|
Post by femalefred on Feb 7, 2008 18:41:04 GMT -5
Ella blinked at the boy's assertion that he hadn't met Hope. If he'd been here for three months, there was no way that he wouldn't have met the barn's owner. It didn't really make sense, but she shrugged it off. "Did he have some health problems then? I've gotta say that I'm glad my boy's never had anything worse than a few cuts and scrapes."
As Hassle began to, ironically, hassle his owner for treats, Chief seemed to be getting in on this action and turned back to Ella, giving her a gentle headbutt on the chest and nipping at the breast pocket on her shirt. She usually kept a packet of mints in there, and there were still a few left, which he evidently wanted. "I've told you to quit it already," she muttered, pushing the gelding's muzzle away and glaring at him, frowning. The appy might be lazy, but he was usually much better behaved on the ground than this.
"Hah, Duke's a hyper one himself. Very spooky though, but we're working on that. He's not scared of coloured water buckets and most of the fences in the jumping arena now. And I agree, horses are usually a whole lot easier to deal with than people!" she said, grinning and joining Garrett in a quiet laugh. "Say, if you're free, do you fancy helping me work some of the other lesson horses? I've got a list from Hope that I need to work today and I was hoping to do some dressage training with Duke and I'm not sure I'll have time to do too much if I work all of them properly."
|
|
|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 9, 2008 16:10:03 GMT -5
Garrett looked at her. No, he was perfectly healthy, but out of shape... I never took him out He smiled as he pulled out a sugar cube and fed it to Hassle. There spoiled pants.
Hassle threw his head up into the air as he chomped on the sugar cube happily. He swished his tail against his hocks before snorting loudly to Ella.
Garrett pulled on the reins softly before thinking of her 'proposal'. Yeah, yeah I'd like that. I need to get my heart back into the riding and working with horses game. His voice came out hoarse and brisk, yet still soft and loving. He looked at Chief with soft interest before flicking his eyes into the girl's own eyes. If it means helping someone, I'm in. He smiled his little boy smile that was irresistable, according to his last girlfriend and to his friends.
Hassle nickered softly as he reached out to smell Ella's sleeve. Garrett eyed him nuzzle her arm before he tugged him back.
|
|
|
|
Post by femalefred on Feb 9, 2008 16:20:51 GMT -5
"Ahh, I see," Ella replied, nodding quietly. It wasn't any of her business why he'd not been working his horse, and she wasn't going to ask, even if her rabidly curious mind was now going into overdrive in creating reasons. "Just because he's got some doesn't mean you get any, matey," she said as Chief turned to give her a long, mournful look. The evident joy Hassle took in the sugar cube was amusing, and it brought a smile back to her face which Chief's plaintiveness had taken in mock irritation.
"That'd be great then!" she exclaimed, delighted that he was willing to help out. "I've still got to work Mary, Pie, Nell, Bud and Chacha. Any of those appeal to you? If you know them that is," she added, realising that the boy probably wasn't well acquainted with the lesson horses, having a horse of his own. At that second, that horse in particular began to nuzzle her arm, and she smiled again, gently stroking his velvety nose with her spare hand.
"Hello boy. You're a friendly thing, aren't you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 9, 2008 16:32:26 GMT -5
Hassle stuck his tongue out and licked the female's hand eagerly. He twitched his ears intently while Garrett thought of the names. Erm... well I don't get out much, so I don't know any of them, but their names are quite nice. He was honest. He had no idea who these horses were. After all, he had hid out in his room for the three months he had been here except to feed and groom Hassle.
He shook his head then looked at Ella. Any of them would do fine. I can work with just about any horse, so long as they ain't gonna kill me. He shuddered and his eyes misted over as he said that. He blinked softly, about five times before the misted over glazed look disappeared. He smiled, to get rid of any questions, shaking off interest. When do we start?
Hassle pinned hs ears at Garrett's abruptness and twisted his head to bite him. He failed, but he caught hold of Garretts front pocket on his jeans. Garrett yelped in soft surprise before pulling the horses head up. Stop it silly
|
|
|
|
Post by femalefred on Feb 9, 2008 16:49:28 GMT -5
When the andalusian licked her hand, Ella grinned and stroked his muzzle again, the rough surface of his tongue tickling her sensitive palm. When Garrett seemed to glaze over, Ella's curiosity drive started getting overactive. It was annoying, but she always wanted to know what it was that made a person do something. Now, of course, she couldn't ask - it would be inappropraite, and she let the pause sit, a heavy silence that was only broken by Chief suddenly huffing and taking a step backwards, turning to look at the barn. He evidently wanted to go back to his stall, and Ella gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder to encourage him to be patient.
"Well... all of those are pretty well behaved. Mary and Nell can both be a bit sensitive and Pie's a bucker on occasion, but other than that, they're all fine. Seeing as I think Chief wants to go back, we can start whenever you're done with working Hassle here," she said, smiling softly at Hassle, and laughing gently at his disapproval of his owner's sudden response.
|
|
|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 9, 2008 17:29:17 GMT -5
Great! I won't handle the bucker though. He smiled then nodded. Shall we walk together? He gestured towards the stable with a nod before tilting his head slightly. Hassle tugged at the lead, apparantly trying to get to the gelding. Stop it Hassle.
Garrett stepped up to Ella, now they were shoulder to shoulder. Hassle threw his muzle onto Chief's neck and began to smell him eagerly. A whicker escaped the stud's jaws before he trotted in place. Garrett chuckled before waiting for any motion from Ella. The sun beat down, now risingwith steady ease. No clouds were seen, yet a small breeze swept through the lands, tugging at Garrett's hair wth playful teasing gestures.
|
|
|
|
Post by femalefred on Feb 9, 2008 17:40:36 GMT -5
"Alright, I'll take Pie then," she said, smiling. At the question, she nodded, and clucked softly to Chief, asking him to walk on. For all the eagerness he'd shown a minute ago, he was suddenly rather more reluctant to move. "You are a beast, sometimes, Chief," Ella said, giving another gentle tug on the lead rope to ask him to move forwards.
Just as he was about to take a step, the Andalusian threw his head towards his neck, and the gelding stopped again, turning to sniff at his new companion's muzzle and huffing friendly air into the stranger's nostrils. He repeated the happy whicker, and almost seemed disappointed when Hassle trotted back to his owner, and took a somewhat reluctant step after Ella and towards the barn.
"I'm glad it's a nice day for it. If I didn't have to work the horses, I'd take Duke down the blue trail and go for a swim."
|
|
|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 9, 2008 18:20:48 GMT -5
You can go, I can work with them if you want. He looked over at her softly before flicking his green eyes over to Hassle. He sighed softly before feeling his hand hit something. He glanced up to make sure it wasn't Ella, but he wasn't sure i it was or not. He smiled as Hassle walked closer to Chief. I think Hassle has a new friend. That makes one of us.
ooc:sorry tis short
|
|
|
|
Post by femalefred on Feb 9, 2008 18:34:21 GMT -5
Ella grinned at Garrett, thanking him with her eyes for the offer. "I wish that I could let you do that, but it's my job and I can't let Hope pay me for goofing off with my horse." As Hassle moved closer to him, Chief turned to look over at Hassle again and whickered softly, clearly saying something, possibly important, but from Ella's experience of the appaloosa gelding, probably not. She laughed lightly, giving him another pat on the shoulder.
"Aw, come on. We might not be friends yet but at least you have a new acquaintance. And I'm here all the time, so let's called it pre-friends. I'm sure we'll be at friend-stage in no time!"
|
|
|
|
Post by spyder on Feb 9, 2008 18:50:23 GMT -5
Garrett chuckled softly before wrapping his left arm around her shoulders and then he let go, blushing. Sorry ahaha, yeah friends. That wpuld be nice. He smiled again as Hassle playfully nipped at Chef's mane. Easy boy, do not bite him and make him mad Garrett warned him. He sighed softly before sidestepping away from Hassles teeth.
|
|
