Cues and Whistles

[Emo]

The clank of the metal against metal rang in Seb’s ears. The buckskin mare behind her snorted and shied away, pulling on the lead rope held tightly by her owner. ”Take it easy girl” The soft cooing of the girls voice soothed Twilight as her snorting seized slowly. With the stroking and patting she quickly forgot about the whole thing. With ears pricked and aware her eyes scanned the pastures. Sebastiania watched with her, taking her time at getting Twilight ready for training. A tug of the rope was all it took to regain the mares attention. With her foaly personality still intact Seb didn’t want to ride her, not yet. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her but more so that she didn’t want to destroy the bond they had with tack. Bareback was always the next thing from groundwork.

Unlatching the lead rope she sent away the big bodied horse and watched her prance as she took off away from her human friend. The beats of her hooves told Seb what gait she was in without even having to look. A trot, not fast enough but a good warm up. Clicking her tongue she turned the mare the other way. Four laps, and then the canter. Seb didn’t move from the middle, didn’t even have a whip with her. It was complete trust. If Twilight decided to turn on her and try to attack out of fear or anger, so be it. But she didn’t think she would. Turning the horse again was harder, she had to move in front due to the fact that Twilight wasn’t looking or paying attention again. Pushing her into the canter she watched the horses ears, her neck, and her mouth. One ear was turned in automatically but she wasn’t yet there.

A few laps after turning to the canter Twilight stretched her neck and started to ‘bite’ the air. From that Seb turned away from the horse. As the beats slowed and came closer Seb smiled. That must have been a new record. A snort and a push from the mare caused Seb to walk forward, allowing Twilight to option to stay or follow. It didn’t take long for the mare to slowly follow her. Turning on her heel Seb stroked her nose. ”Good girl, very good. You’re getting better.” Her stroking stopped as she turned away to grab her helmet. She’d always use one. It was more of habit than the knowing of needing one that made her do it.

Strapping the helmet on, she led the mare to the middle of the ring and placed pressure on her back. Not even a flick of the ear. Jumping up she balanced herself in the middle of her stomach. A slight swivel and that was it. Jumping down she rubbed the mare’s legs down, looking for heat, before jumping up and slowly settling herself down on Twilights back. A soft snort and a puff of breath. ”Good.” Seb softly tapped the mare with her boots. Leg cues were the first thing that Seb always taught her trainee’s. She never usually put a saddle on the horse until it was five or six. A physical bond between horse and rider was important when riding.

The quiet beats of the walk pace set a smooth rhythm to the peace as Seb sat on the mares back. Moving into the trot she stroked her mane softly, making sure to keep Twilight encouraged and eased. Cueing her mount into the canter she moved with her horse, keeping her hips in contact at all times. When Twilight gave a quick buck Sebastiania smiled as she held onto the black hued mane. Always energetic she was. Pulling back on her mane Twilight slowed to a slow trot and then a walk again. Leaning down over her neck Seb grabbed the halter and turned her around. After doing the same exercise in the same fashion Seb stayed seated as she made her way to the middle of the ring. ”That’s my girl, Twilight. Good girl.” Rubbing down the mares neck she hopped off and grabbed the lead rope to leave.

[DJ]

Hope walked up to the fence just after Seb had clipped her helmet, and watched her interact with the mare.

The girl bounce a bit, along the mare's back, almost testing her, like she'd never been backed before. Testing her weight, seeing if the mare would buck, bolt, or spin. But the equine stood there. Silently content, seeming to almost enjoy this weird behavior.

Hope watched the young woman, but stayed quiet not wanting to disrupt the training time. The horse was content and the rider was focused, practically putting Hope into a trace, wanting to learn this. She'd seen natural horsemanship, but this was seemingly more. And although Hope was not very fond of the Parelli and other natural backing techniques, she liked this one.

She waited for the rider to turn around and notice her, before speaking and disrupting either of the quiet pair.

[Emo]

When Seb had unclipped her helmet and taken it off she noticed Hope. ”Oh, hi Hope. I was just ... doing a session with Twilight.” Seb wasn’t used to having an audience without her knowing. She normally did things alone, keep them secret but she had never figured out why. Seb had a touch, and she knew it, but she didn’t want other people to know it. ”Is anything wrong or do you need me for something?” Her question lingered as she clipped the halter onto the mare. Stroking her face the dun sabino looked off towards the pastures and nickered. As annoying as it was Seb had learned to ignore it. No need to reprimand for herd instincts.

Unlatching the chain on the round pen she opened the gate and allowed Twilight to follow through before closing it. With her helmet wrapped under her other arm she didn’t exactly have a free hand. Seb stood there patiently as she waited for Hope’s answer.
\

[DJ]

"Uh, no. Sorry." Hope smiled warmly, not meaning to upset or disturb Seb and Twilight. "Just watching."

She followed them out the gate. "I've just finished chores and Jared said he'd work the horses I'm supposed to be doing because I 'need a break' for a day or so." She mocked the words from Jared's mouth with her fingers "quoting" his words, even though she didn't exactly mind the day off, it didn't happen often, but now she didn't really have anything to do.

"Nice training," Hope mentioned to Seb quietly. "I'd love to learn some of it sometime." It seemed to work well and she'd love to learn it.

"Do you have time for, lunch or tea or something at my house?" It felt crazily awkward asking that question as she almost never had time, but the boredom was taking over today. She'd have liked to photograph, but the sky was slightly cloudy, making terrible light.

"And if not, that's fine, too," she added quickly almost forgetting most people have plans.

[Emo]

Seb’s smile radiated as Hope assured her nothing was wrong. Absently she fixed the horses mane as she listened to Hope talk. Hope? Have a day off?! Wow, that was new. ”Sounds awesome, you do deserve a break every now and then. Seriously, Hope you work yourself way too much.” As Seb settled into her company her tension lifted, giving her words a light and airy feel. But Hope’s compliment made her blush slightly. ”Thanks. My grandmother taught it to me when I was younger. My parents never really did get into the whole horse thing, they still aren’t. But she taught me everything.”

Brushing her hands through Twilight’s forelock she unknotted it quickly. Hope’s question caught her off guard but she answered without a thought. ”I’d love to. Tea is my favorite. Lemon flavored is the best though.” She smiled before leading Twilight towards the barn to groom her down and put her out to pasture where she’d most likely roll. ”Gotta put Twilight away first.”

[DJ]

"Nah." Hope shrugged off the idea. "My work is basically my life, and I love doing it. I'd rather be working extra, but that's not what everyone else thinks. Hope chuckled a bit, thinking of everyone who wanted her to take a break once in a while, thinking she was over-working herself.

"It's pretty awesome." Hope was impressed by the training and wanted to learn to use it on her horses, and maybe Seb could help her use it also.

"And certainly." She gave Seb a thumbs up and smirked at her liking of lemon tea. Hope picture the cabinet full of stacked teas she'd gotten from different places. Between the regular, decaf, herbal, flavored, remedies, black, green and a few other types of random teas, she had an over-excessive amount. Although she loved tea and never minded coming home and sitting on the couch or in bed with a cup of steaming tea.

"Mhm." Hope nodded and followed Seb with Twilight, smiling, even though she wasn't sure why.

Today just seem like a happy day, I guess, she told herself.

[Emo]

When Hope disagreed to the work idea Seb had to smile. Work was her life, and she couldn’t blame Hope. Work had been Seb’s life for a while before she came to ES to settle down. Her thoughts swarmed as she led Twilight into the barn and pulled out her grooming kit. Pulling out the dandy brush she set to work on Twilight’s legs, moving onto her barrel when she was done. Throwing the brush into the pocket she pulled out her hoof pick and cleared the mares hooves with ease. Good thing the gravel in the pen didn’t pack tightly.

After she was done grooming it didn’t take long to get her into the pasture and walk back to Hope. ”So, you ready to go?” Her smile showed how enthusiastic she was for a break.

[DJ]

OOC:: Finishing-up post. So tiny. XD

Hope nodded and smirked. "Let's go."

OOC:: Do you want to start the post at the house or do you want me to? :3

[Emo]

OOC//: you can do it XD I'll feel easier if you start it out.