Day 9
July 30th
I sat out in the pasture with Fawn grazing right next to me while I looked through my email to see if I had heard anything from the association. I didn't see anything in my inbox. I groaned out in complaint and shut my laptop down as I laid out in the field, Fawn lifting her head to brush her velvety muzzle against my face causing me to giggle out, "Fawn, quit it. I'm trying to think pretty girl."
The mare whinnied out in play against my face before moving when my hands ran their way into her mane, "You need a hair cut. I'm taking you out to get that mane and tail trimmed tomorrow. They have too many knots."
Fawn nickered out when I mentioned cutting and moved away, prancing off towards the fence when Darkness came galloping up to it. I just rolled my eyes with a smirk, "Mares."
I got up after a while and made my way to the stables to grab Fawn's halter and lead rope so I could work on leading her around and having her understand that she wouldn't ever be quite in charge though she already knew that. I set my computer in my house then walked back out to grab the halter and lead. Once that was in my hands, I walked back outside to the pasture. Fawn was already back at the gate, whinnying out when she saw the halter and lead. I slid it over her head then walked her out after opening the gate up, "Come on pretty girl, let's go for a quick walk."
Fawn kicked up her hind quarters with a sweet whinny before following me out happily. I rubbed her ears gently as she pranced alongside me, looking around at some of the riders as they rode down to the arena or from it. I waved at them, leaning over to rub Night's head when he trotted up, "Hey buddy." I looked up at his rider, a little girl no older than ten, "How is he today, Stacey?"
Stacey, the little girl with bright green eyes and red ginger hair, gave off a toothy smile, "He's great! We had a good lesson. Mr. Dawson said I earned a trail ride Tuesday."
I grinned as I patted her leg gently, "Awesome, Stacey! I think I might ride with you guys. Now hose him off when you get to the barn then let him out. I need you to let Max out too while you're at it. Emily should be up there to help you. Sound good?"
"Sounds good," she replied before clucking her tongue to get the dark colored horse moving back up the path to the stables.
I looked at Fawn who was too busy watching them with curiosity. I kissed her cheek with a giggle, "Come on Miss Curious. I'm taking you for a walk in the arena even though Dad is training. He let me do it before with new horses."
Fawn whinnied out before quickly following after me when I picked up a slow jog. She trotted out beside me, enjoying the wind blowing through her mane and tail. I soon arrived at the gate to find my father sitting in the judging booth giving out advice to four riders. Victoria was maybe fourteen-fifteen with bright blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was riding Red, our Gypsy Vanner with a heart of pure gold. Trotting around the arena was seventeen-year-old Lily who had her strawberry-blonde hair held back in a ponytail underneath her helmet while her blue eyes were focused on the path in front of her. She was on our fiery horse, Burn, who was known to lash out and bite you, hard. She's bitten many of our riders before including myself. It takes a bold person to stand up to her and show her she's not in charge. Lily had done so.
The third person riding who was cantering was Anna who had blonde hair with blue ends and green eyes. She was my age, eighteen. She was riding Trenton, our race horse. He was only out for exercise. Her usual riding horse was Luck but due to the mare being sassy and ignorant this morning, we just kept her in the pasture since she kept biting at Ren and I wasn't tolerating her attitude. The last but not least person was Alexander, a boy that I grew up with so he was my age as well. He had brown hair on his head and green eyes as well. He rode Skull, our prankster stallion. The two got along pretty well so those two clicked together.
I opened hopped up the steps into the judging booth and pecked my father's cheek, 'Hey. I talked to Stacey. She said you were going to take her on a trail ride Tuesday since her lesson went so well."
My father jumped but grinned when he saw me, "Hey and yeah I did. You going to join?"
"Duh, of course. I don't think I'm busy and I want to take Fawn out on a lead rope. I'm going to ride Ranger since she's close to him. Now I have a question for you," I replied as I moved to lean against the doorway, looking over as Fawn nibbled on the grass by the bottom of the steps.
"Ask away, princess," my father answered as he looked over after telling the riders to take a break and walk.
I softly tugged on Fawn's lead to lift her head, "Can I walk Fawn around in the arena while you train? I want her to get used to the idea of horses in an enclosed space with her."
My father raised a brow as he leaned against the counter, "I don't know, December. Do you trust her not to freak out?"
I nodded as I hopped out of the booth, "Of course I do and she trusts me so can I?"
"Fine," my father answered with a sigh after several long moments of mentally debating on what to do.
I grinned out a thanks then led Fawn into the arena once Trenton and Lily passed by the gate. Instantly, Skull was whinnying out at Fawn as he strutted and high-stepped which sent my mare sheepishly lowering her head. I chuckled and led her around, rubbing her head as we walked a little ways behind Trenton who paid no mind to the new mare. He was used to new faces anymore due to his racing career and for the fact we had so many animals here on the farm. I looked over as Red walked by, nickering over at Fawn curiously which brought my mare's head up. She whinnied over at her as we walked. I patted her neck in praise to the socialization and walked her around a little more before leading her back to the pasture for the night, glad for a successful day.