LBC #100 Entry

[horselover1978]

My entry for LBC #100. Thank you and I hope you enjoy reading
Please do not post!

Current word count; 2775 words

Index
1: The Auction
2: Arrivel
3: First Ride
4: Trail Rides
5: Range

[horselover1978]

Chapter 1

A stunning buckskin somatic stallion comes prancing out the opening gate. His mane and tail had been braided up, barely bouncing as he moved with elegance and purpose around the showing ring, expertly going through the basic movements, then into the more complicated ones.
As I came out of my slightly shocked trance, I first thought I must have this horse, but then I started to wonder why a horse with this training and beauty would be at a life stock auction like this?
I started noticing little details I hadn't caught when I had watched him before, like how his head was consistently shaking around, from left to right, and how his ears pinned a little much for my liking, but the most eye-catching were his coffee brown eyes. His eyes held this look of deep intelligence and understanding as if humans were just ants in his mind.
As if amused by the rider on his back like the rider wasn't really in control. He was merely letting the rider believe he was. I am a very independent person and love people (and animals) who don't just answer to anyone. Those that you must first earn their respect, trust, and love. The kind of bond that lasts forever and makes you a friend for life. I only had to gain all that, but I am always up for a challenge.
The bidding started at one thousand but quickly got up to three thousand five hundred before I finally got my (hopefully) new horse friend. He was lead, out the ring and un-tacked as I paid and got his papers. His registered name was Lityerses, but I thought that wasn't right for him, so I would have to think of something new.
Lityerses is a registered Lone Bashkir Curly, buckskin somatic tobiano, stallion. Lityerses is seven, according to his papers, and has been trained immensely in western pleasure but didn't complete his training for an unstated reason. He was also trained in western performance for a while. He had no previously recorded major injuries, awards, offspring, or home. I walked into the holding barn to meet my newly bought horse and to examine him more closely.
I spotted him in the far left corner of the barn. As I made my way to his stall he lifted his head in acknowledgment, but he turned around facing the other way. Showing how much he cared, but I was not discouraged. I put my hand out through the space between the metal bars of his enclosure, offering up a few carrot slices. He contemplated what to do for a while and finally shifted his weight and came over to gobble up the treats I offered him.
Lit let me scratch his head and neck with my hands, watching intently, following my every move. It was as if he was judging if I was worthy of his presence. Apparently, I was, deemed acceptable as he let me pick up his feet, inspect his teeth, and run my hands along his back. He never stopped watching me, analyzing everything I did with him. Seemingly interested in what I was doing as I checked that he was in good condition. He would get a real check-up back at my farm from an actual vet this was, only to scan for anything significant.
After a few minutes, I left to bring my trailer 'round to the loading yard. When I came back into his sights, he was still watching from his spot in the barn. His eyes flicked around, following my movements around the loading deck. I found it was a bit creepy, but I was glad he wasn't ignoring me again.
I grabbed Lits' lead rope, clipped it on the halters' medal ring, and led him to the trailers loading doors. His papers didn't say if he trailered, but I don't know how else they would have gotten him here. He didn't seem worried about the trailer and got right in when I walked in. He tied fine and didn't even startle as the doors clanged shut.
I hopped into the drivers' side door and drove the long road home to my farm.

698 words

[horselover1978]

Chapter 2

I parked outside my barn and hopped out of the cab, greeted by a chorus of high-pitched whinnies. The trailer rocked as Lit answered the interested calls of the other horses. I opened the trailer doors and unloaded Lit from the trailer. He held his head high, surveying his surroundings as I guided him into the barn. His muscles were tense as we walked through the aisles.
Horses were outstretching their heads through their stall doors in interest, flaring their nostrils to take in their new stablemates' scent. Lit did the same swinging, his head from side to side smelling each new horse.
I led him to a vacant stall between two of my friendliest horses, Swirl, and Nino. He greeted his neighbors before turning into his stall. I unclipped his lead rope and closed the door, hanging it up outside the stall. I dumped half a bucket of alfalfa cubes into his manger and checked his water bucket.
I grabbed Lits' papers from my truck and headed into the small barn office. A good-sized desk took up most of the room. The desk had multiple stacks of neatly ordered and filed papers, a pencil sharpener, a pencil holder, and other essential office supplies.
I pulled a new folder out, labeling it Lityerses in bold black marker. I stored his papers after scanning over them again for anything important. Nothing of significance, other than that he had no previous records of being shoed.
I would talk to my farrier about shoes for him or if he needs them. I put the file away and headed back into the primary part of the barn to finish up with morning chores, trying to think of a more fitting name for him. I decided on Buddy for his barn name and Born a Rockstar for his show name.

305 words

[horselover1978]

Chapter 3

Over the next few days, I worked with Buddy on the ground, lunging and working him in my small round pen. His ground manners were superb, but he did test me and my skills, but he didn't buck, rear, or get frustrated. He only got confused with a few things, including backing, spinning on the forehand, and stopping perfectly square.
It had been four days since Buddy had arrived, and I was excited to try riding him for the first time. I had my oldest son, Robby, who was here to help me if anything went wrong. Robby is eighteen, a high-school senior, and incredible with horses. He often helps me with new horses.
I had tried tacking Buddy up yesterday with a set of western tack, he was a little challenging to get the bridle on, but otherwise, he was fine. Once I tacked up Buddy, I led him to the round pen. I checked my girth, bridle, and helmet for safety before mounting.
I walked Buddy over to the mounting block. I took up my rains and mounted as Robby held Buddy. Buddy didn't move, standing perfectly still as I climbed into the saddle. I nodded to Robby, and he moved to the side. Buddy had a very extended walk and seemed relaxed as I rode him around the round pen.
Whenever Buddy put his head down, his hair would shift, and he would shake his head around, yanking the reins from my hands. I thought back to the auction and how they had braided his hair up. Maybe he didn't like it in his face. But after a little while, he stopped shaking his head as much.
I switched directions, spinning towards the center and continuing the other way. Buddy completed each move with precision and style. I asked Buddy for the trot, and he responded instantly, smoothly transitioning into a working trot. His trot, like his walk, was slightly extended and also had a lot of suspension. He covered a lot of ground in just a few strides.
Buddy was easy to ride and hard all in the same he was trained, at a high level, he knew what you were asking for, and was capable of doing whatever you asked, but only if you asked correctly. If you didn't, then he'd do something completely different. It was incredibly annoying, and he knows it.
I got off after a few more minutes, and as I was leading Buddy out of the ring, I gave him a treat. "You were such a good boy today!" I said, "He looked amazing!" Robby said. As we entered the barn, "I saw you fighting with him a little bit." I tied Buddy to a post and untacked him as I said, "Yeah, he's definitely a... interesting horse. I think you would like him! He seems to have layers of trust, and your real good at unraveling those kinds of horses." Robby smirked, "I think you're just trying to hand this difficult horse off to me."
I carried Buddy's stuff into the tack room, "You have more time than me! Besides, I already have enough horses to ride. I don't need another." I argued as Robby helped me clean Buddy's tack and put it away. "You only have Jacin. I think you can fit another horse in."
"Jacin takes a lot of time!" Robby retorted, making me roll my eyes. "Does he really take up your whole day?" I asked sarcastically, "I have school and friends too." Robby said.
"I still think you should try him. He's right up your ally!" I reasoned, " I never said I didn't want to try him! He looks so comfortable!" I laughed, and Robby scolded, "and you say you don't want him. He's super sensitive too!" Robby raised an eyebrow, "Really?" I laughed, even more, making Robby roll his eyes. "I'll get back to you on that after I ride him."

656 words

[horselover1978]

Chapter 4

After Buddy got ridden a few more times, I decided we should try Buddy out on the trails. Me, Robby, Katy, and Samantha were all coming. We were saddled up and ready to go. We made our way up a hill to the trail entrance. The trail wound into the mountains, where we encounter many different types of terrain.
We walked into a canopy of trees, I was in the front on Indie, and Robby and Buddy were in the middle. We made our way along the trails' desired track. As we made our way through the dense forest, some birds scattered. Buddy didn't even flinch, but his ears were alert, and he got slightly tenser.
As we came to a steep descent, I stopped and checked my girth. Everyone else followed suit. I went down first, then Katy. Then it was Robbys' turn to go. "Make sure you give him plenty of space. Okay, Samantha?" I asked. Samantha was Robbys' girlfriend, and they've been dating since they were sixteen. "Yup!" she replied, and Robby encouraged Buddy to start the short and steep descent. Buddy was doing good until his braided forelock shifted into his eye, and he shook his head, making Robby wobble in the saddle.
We made our way to a slow-flowing stream that should be easy to cross. As we approached, Buddy pinned his ears back, and every muscle in his body tensed. Robby patted his neck and whispered soothing things to him, attempting to calm him. He relaxed a little, but he didn't relax completely. Robby and Sam pulled up to wait as me and Katy went through the river.
The splashing of water made Buddy startle and freeze up. Robby hopped off, moving around to face Buddy. Robby scratched his neck. "What's wrong?" I asked Robby. "He's afraid of the water! I'm going try to get him closer." Robby tried to lead Buddy closer to the water, but he planted his hooves digging into the soft dirt.
Robby flicked the end of the reins at Buddy and patted his shoulder, "Come on, Buddy." Robby said Buddy took a few tentative steps towards the stream. "Good boy!" Robby praised Buddy, "Just a little more. It's alright, the waters not going to hurt you."
Buddy strained against Robby, attempting to back away from the stream. Roppy scratched his cheek, "Come on, boy!" He flicked the reins again and pulled Buddy into the water. Buddy tensed as soon as the cold water made contact with his skin. Buddy picked his feet high in the air, trying to get away from the water as Robby guided him to the other side.
Moon didn't particularly like water either, and Samantha had to nag her into the water, causing Moon to make a big splash. The splash made Buddy jump. Robby held on to the saddle and tried to calm him back down. Robby walked Buddy in circles till he relaxed. "Sorry!" Samantha apologized, "It's alright." Robby assured her, "he's definitely scared of water."
Buddy was great with everything on the trail, aside from the stream, and when we got back to the barn, he was the least sweaty. "He's not going to want a rinse, I'm thinking." Robby said, "I think you should try it." I said, "Maybe he's not scared of the water. Maybe it's the amount of water or the current." Robby sighed and led Buddy over to the wash rack.
He turned on the water slowly, and Buddy pinned his ears back but didn't move. Robby started at Buddys' legs working his way up. Buddy moved away from the hose but didn't show signs of aggression. He did move around quite a bit, but otherwise, he didn't do anything else.
I took care of Indie while Robby put Buddy out to pasture. I didn't have a pasture-mate for Buddy yet. He didn't seem to mind being alone, though. I assumed he has always been a bit of a loner.

662 words

[horselover1978]

Chapter 5

Approximately two months later, it was a bright and sunny morning. I watch as day breaks, light spilling out over the snow-covered hills and mountains of western colorado. We were riding across the wide-open range checking the fences, Robby was with me too, riding Buddy.
Buddy has vastly improved in these few short months since he first came to my farm back in late September. He has won multiple ribbons and can walk through water without completely freaking out. We had to crop his mane because he would toss his head around every time it moved, giving him a peculiar look.
Robby has also started to teach him to jump but is progressing very slowly. Buddy has always picked up on stuff really quickly, so I'm surprised how slow he was learning. Buddy has been great as a farm horse, always up for something new. I think he will be a great horse someday soon. Not that he's not good right now, but he could improve in some fields, particularly humans.
We cantered along the fence line as we crested another hill. You can see the whole valley below from up here. Buddy snorts with his head and tail held high, looking not unlike a wild stallion, calling into the wind.
Robby patted his shoulder, giving Buddy a treat. Buddy's favorite treats are peppermints. He loves them just as much as Robby. Together they could devour a whole package of peppermints in just a few days.
When we got back to the barn, Swirl was breathing heavily, but Buddy looked refreshed as if he had more energy now than before. Robby led him to his stall and let him loose. Robby grabbed a bucket of cubes, dumping them in Buddys' manger, and Buddy started munching down on breakfast.
Robby has done a lot of work with him to get to this point, and I am so proud of how he pushed past every obstacle. Never giving up on Buddy, no matter how many times he ended up on the ground, he got back up and tried again.
Buddy is a trooper, too though he never did anything without reason. He always tried to do what he is asked, but you had to do it the right way. Buddy didn't like not knowing everything, so when we asked him to do a move he did not understand, he got frustrated and reared.
Robby is the only one Buddy really likes, but now a few other people can get on him without ending up on the ground. Buddy truly is a good horse, and I can't wait to see where he goes. I know he has a good heart, and I hope he does great things in the future.