So..Should I Be Doing Something Wrong or?

Yep, Rocky's technically already broke; Elena just needed to see how he performed under saddle and on the ground. I'd say under saddle, he gets a solid B+!

I'm really diggin' this flat coloring aesthetic; I think it looks nice. It's been forever since I've drawn tack of any kind (sans a halter) or a rider, so I'm sorry if it looks a little swanky in places. And that horse can really rock burgundy.

The saddle Elena's using is really comfortable to ride in, especially on long trail rides. Plus its synthetic, so it's a-okay if it gets wet; not to mention it's cheap! (by saddle standards)

References: saddle & bit

equiBREAK Horse Training Program:
1. Groundwork: Ground Manners
2. Lunging: So That's What Those Look Like
3. Accepting a saddle/rider: you are here!
4. First Ride: you are also here!
5. Discipline Training:

Story:
    Elena fastened the buckle of the girth, glancing at Rocky to gauge the stallion's reaction. His left ear swiveled back to the woman at his side, but otherwise he seemed stoic. The strawberry blonde smiled and patted the horse on the neck, eliciting a low sigh from said champagne. He blinked and turned his head to the right, looking off at who-knows-where; Rocky really could be overly curious at times.
    Elena chuckled and shifted the stallion's bridle from her shoulder, holding the black, synthetic crown piece up. 'Alright, big guy, you've done well so far; let's see how you do with this.' She tugged lightly at the burgundy halter, giving her the Walker's attention. His ears pricked as he sniffed the bridle in her hands; he knew very well what it was. He heaved a sigh as the green-eyed woman unbuckled his halter, letting it slip off of his head as the reins slipped over. Rocky opened his mouth when he felt his handler's thumb press into the small gap in his teeth. The cavasson slid over his muzzle as the bit slipped into his mouth. He titled his head upward a small but, but otherwise he didn't budge.
    Elena flattened his ears forward as she moved the crown piece to rest on the horse's bridle path. She buckled the throat latch and stepped back, holding the reins loosely. He really did look handsome in black and burgundy. She slid her hand under the girth to make sure it was both tight and loose enough on the Walker's slender build. The saddle was a bargain and seemed fairly durable. She smiled and patted Rocky's neck again. "Well, look who's a gentle giant." The champagne snorted and lightly knocked his head against Elena. She chuckled, "Alright, let's go, big guy."

    Rocky stood while Elena pulled down the stirrups, cocking his head slightly each time she walked in front of him. He arched his neck to look at her as she gathered the reins taut. She smiled at the horse and placed her left foot into the metal bar, bounding up easily onto his back. The stallion straightened his neck again as Elena loosened the reins and patted him on the neck, offering him words of praise. His ears flicked back at her voice, catching the gentle tone. Elena clicked to him, guiding  him to the arena rail. He followed easily, headset high but well-collected. He eased into a flat walk, stepping smoothly with nothing short of confidence. The woman on his back smiled; it felt nice to be on the back of a horse again, especially after four years of sitting in a classroom.

    Elena worked Rocky lightly but efficiently, asking for halts, half-halts, stop-and-starts, backs, and turns to both sides, all at his flat walk, running walk, and rack. He rode, surprisingly, like a dream, although he was occasionally off in la-la land or tried to work the middle.
    She even pushed the stallion into a canter after a while, collecting her rein when he collected his head. He pushed off on the wrong lead, which Elena immediately corrected. She pulled him back to a running walk and back to a canter, managing to start him on the right lead. The blonde praised the him, his ears swiveling back to catch her happy tone. He snorted, pricking his ears forward and letting his stride open up more.
    Elena pulled the Walker to a flat walk after a few rounds of cantering, loosening her collection and letting Rocky catch his breath; he nodded his head lightly, crow-hopping and acting fancy despite the layer of sweat covering his body. She chuckled and half-halted him back to a walk, forcing the energetic stallion to give himself a break.

    The young woman slid the sweaty saddle pad off of the horse's back, whistling at the heat that radiated from the area. Chuckling, she shook her head and set the stallion's tack back in its respective place in the tack room, leaving the pad spread out flat to dry.
    She returned to the Walking Horse standing calmly at the tie-up, eyes drooping and hind left hoof resting; though he perked up slightly at hearing her. Elena set the hose she had been carrying on the ground and walked over to the water spicket. She turned it on and picked up the end of the hose again, pushing the nozzle. A stream of water sprayed the ground next to Rocky, causing his head to raise suddenly. He relaxed again pretty quickly though, recognizing whatever it was wasn't going to eat him. Elena sprayed the cool water over his caramel colored legs, his head turning slightly before going back to its initial position. If there was one thing about Rocky that was consistent, it was that he never freaked out when she expected him to. Smiling, she shook her head and continued to wash away the sweat.

    Elena finished hosing the stallion off, patting his now wet neck while running the sweat scraper along his body. She sputtered when his tail brushed away a stray fly, splashing droplets of water into her face. "Hey, now; what was that for?" she laughed. Rocky knocked his head against her hip lightly as she was scraping the excess water from under his belly. She glanced up at him, sticking her tongue out at the champagne. He snorted and shook his head, turning his head in mock innocence.
    Elena dropped the sweat scraper back into the grooming bucket and dusted her hands off before walking back to the stud. She placed her hands on either side of his face and rested her forehead against his. Her voice was uncharacteristically quiet when she spoke, "You know, big guy, you're a pretty great horse." Rocky sighed and let himself relax further.
    If this was what life was like here, then they could both very easily get used to it.


Start | Previous | Next