[DeadlyArcana]

Ordered tolter from the tolter taming event.

Username: Arrows
Name: Not to be Found "Velia"
Gender: Mare
Eye color: purple
Dam: --
Sire: --
Halter:

[Arrows]

Name: Not to be Found "Velia"
Gender: Mare
Age: 4
Height: 14.2hh
Color: Dunalino Overo
Eye Color: Purple
Notes: -Has a distrust of women
-Dislikes most other horses
-Rejects bridle violently
-Does not keep weight well
Progress: 9/9
To Do: n/a
Completed: First Encounter
Adjusting To The New Home
Introduction Of The Halter
Meeting A Friend
Gaining Your Horse's Trust
First Time with the Saddle
Ground Work
First Ride
Free Spot

note: small transparent

[Arrows]

Delilah 'Del' Archer was nervous as she drove her large pickup truck down the gravel road with her trailer being pulled behind her. It had been years since she had owned a horse, but often helped out at her sister's large ranch and other places. Her own barn had sat empty for a long time. But everything changed when she was scanning the newspaper and ran across a banner saying "Tolter Taming Event" and a small description, along with a phone number and an address. It advertised a large group of untrained horses, tolters, at Bear Run Equestrian Center. It was like a sign, as Delilah had been wanting a horse for a while, yet never finding the right chance.

So, after hours of cleaning up the barn and pastures and fences with some helping hands, as well as buying tons of supplies, Del was on her way to the large farm. She was surprised at its size, and impressed. She was directed by some signs, and found herself standing at a table with another woman across from her. "Are you here for the Tolter Taming Event?" The lady asked, and she nodded in reply. "Do you have your paperwork filled out?" Delilah oncemore nodded and handed her a large stack of papers. "Great! We have designated this barn and some of the pastures for the tolters you may choose, so feel free to walk around and look. When you find the right horse, please call to one of our staff members to check them tolter off the list and help you."

"Thanks," Del said, scooting past the table and surveying the area. She walked along the aisles of stalls that stretched on and on. Delilah went through the entire barn, gently stroking some horses and speaking to others, yet never making the right connection. She finally found herself outside, and saw many more tolters in the pastures. Some came up to her, others were very standoffish. And then, there, a horse caught her eye. They seemed different.

In a small field there was a mare, completely alone. Delilah found her intriguing and beautiful. When the mare spotted Del, she turned towards her and stared at her with violet eyes that seemed to glitter. Unlike other horses, the mare did not come to her nor stay stuck in her place. Instead, the mare took a few curious steps, as though trying to figure Delilah out as she was doing to the mare. Eventually Del turned away and found a young man. "Sir? Could you tell me about that horse?" She pointed to the lone mare.

"Ah, of course. That mare has a bit of an attitude. She doesn't seem to like the other tolters and is very cautious. Very watchful of the women, we think it has something to do with her past." The man looks at the mare with speculation.

"Is that so? Well, I think we'll have to change that. I will take her." Delilah smiled to him. Without asking, she then opened the pasture gate and began to walk to the mare. The horse raised her beautiful head high and went rigid momentarily, snorting as though offended, and eventually taking some small steps backwards. "Woah, girl. Shh." Del paused, putting her hands up calmly. The mare lowered her head slightly. Delilah advanced slightly, keeping her hands in the tolter's view.

The mare took in some sharp breaths, keeping a close eye on Del as she came closer. Her violet eyes glittered with warning and slight fear. When she was close enough, Delilah lowered her hands and gently offered it out to the mare, who was still for many seconds, and then finally sniffed at Del quickly. She took one step forward. Delilah took this as an invitation, and placed her hand ever-so-gently over one of the mare's overo patches on her neck. The mare locked eyes with Del, yet did nothing, and they stood for a while, watching each other with equal interest.

[Arrows]

Delilah sighed as she reached her ranch, pulling up to the barn. The mare had been awful to get on the trailer. It took herself and two other people just to get her on, and to do so they had to practically push her inside. She supposed it was something to work for. With a grumble, Del got out of her truck and walked to the trailer. She opened to large doors, and there, staring at her from the second slot in a 4 horse slant load trailer, was the mare, her violet eyes aflame. Delilah was indeed intimidated, but didn't dare back down. She confidently entered the trailer and opened up the slot, taking hold of the rope around the mare's neck - was it mentioned that she didn't dare allow a halter on her head?

You might expect a horse with only a rope around her neck to take a chance to get away, yet the mare did nothing. She welcomed it almost. Perhaps it was much better to her than a halter. Del backed the mare out of the trailer, nearly losing a hold when she suddenly jerked back and hurried off the trailer. Surprising both of them, the mare pulled away. "Easy there, girl." She gently tugged the rope, and the violet eyes turned on her.

They made their way to the barn, the mare keeping her distance from Delilah as much as possible. They walked past multiple empty stalls until she pulled the mare towards a clean stall with fresh hay and water in it. She released the mare and closed the door. The mare paced the stall for a while, pawing the ground and sniffing every corner, blowing around sawdust. She didn't eat anything for a while. Delilah sat a few feet away, reading a novel and keeping an eye on the horse. Eventually, the tolter lowered her head and ate a few bites of the hay. This seemed to remind her of her hunger, and she began to eat more quickly. Del smiled.

Later in the day, after the mare seemed to have settled down, Del secured the rope around her neck again and directed the mare to the green grass pasture. She seemed to get more and more anxious as they neared the large space, beginning to prance. As soon as Delilah released her, the mare burst away, galloping off and then galloping back towards her. She took a flying leap and kicked out her back legs, and trotted about a while before calming down and beginning to chomp on some grass near the gate. All the while, Del just smiled slightly.

"It appears you might have some hidden talent there..." Delilah trailed off, considering the mare and her personality. "Velia." She finally said, and the mare raised her head ever so slightly at the name. Velia it was.

[Arrows]

Delilah entered the barn almost a week after Velia's arrival, holding a medium-sized box. "Hey V," she greeted the mare by the nickname she'd given her. "I've got something for you." For several days the pair had kept the same routine, Del coming down to the barn to sit and read, watch Velia, and sometimes groom her. The mare had remained standoffish and uncertain of Delilah.

The Dunalino Overo raised her head from her grain bucket, acknowledging the woman with a snort and returning to her food. Del was busy with scissors, opening the cardboard box. Once she did, she removed some bubble wrap and then pulled out halter that was a soft lavender color, nearly the color of Velia's eyes. It came with a sleek white lead rope. When the mare spotted the new halter, she backed off slightly, eyeing it. "Oh, come on, Velia. It's not that bad." Delilah opened the small door that was big enough for V to put her head through, and showed her the piece.

The tolter stayed where she was, silent. Her ears were tilted back slightly, and her front hooves danced in place. It was like a nervous habit. Del closed the door, realizing V was by no means going to touch that halter. However, she hung it in Velia's vision, for her to look at. She decided to return in a few hours and try again.
- - -

When she returned, Velia was near the corner of her stall, occasionally looking at the halter. Delilah took the halter in her hand and entered the stall. Before even placing the halter near her, she gave the mare a peppermint treat, which she gladly took. Del then held out the halter. V eyed it with wary suspicion, but eventually shoved her nose forward and sniffed at the halter, which led to nipping it slightly. Delilah chuckled lightly, and then brought the halter up a little halter, so it was just barely over the mare's nose.

In an instant, Velia jerked backwards and threw up sawdust. "Woah there, Velia. Easy girl. You're okay." She let out a loud whinny and swayed back and forth, as though saying 'no' to the halter. "Come on, trust me, V." Del knew it was difficult for her, the halter, the new place, and putting her hard-to-earn trust in Delilah, a woman, but she needed to work with her. In a small gesture, the mare moved forward slightly and nosed at the halter.

"Thatta girl." She eased the halter over the tolter's muzzle so that it sat, nearly on but not over her ears. Velia was hardly moving, only a slight tremble and a swish of the tail, but she stared Delilah down, her large and glittering violet eyes meeting Del's dull green ones, as though wondering, 'Can I trust you?' With a swift, but gentle, motion, Del had pushed the halter over V's ears and clipped it in place. As she did so, she noticed old, odd scars atop the mare's head, that looked perhaps like old, untended sores. Velia had sucked in a breath, as though expecting the halter to harm her in some way, but let out a large sigh when nothing happened.

Delilah offered a hand out to her and then patted her softly. "Ah, I'm sorry girl. You must've gotten it bad from somebody. What a shame, a horse like you having difficulties because of one awful person. You're safe now darling." V bobbed her head softly, letting out a blow of air. "Well, you're a good girl. Let's do this again tomorrow." With that, Del removed the halter and set it, once again, in Velia's line of vision with a soft smile. "I'll see you in the morning, baby girl."

[Arrows]

As Delilah made her way to the barn, she thought about Velia. For the most part, the mare rejected companionship. A few days ago, she got her sister to bring over one of her horses, not a tolter, but still thought perhaps they could get along. When she brought out V, the mare tried to take a bite out of the other horse, nearly reared up, and kept her ears flattened the entire time. The poor horse, a sweet older mare, was so confused and soft-hearted, didn't even attempt to fight back.

This made Del wonder if perhaps another horse was not the way to go. It appeared the before Velia would consider another horse on a friendship level, she needed to work out some trust issues. If Delilah offered her a creature that did not pose a threat, then it was possible that they would have a chance and it would probably help with some of the mare's problems. So, walking beside Del at a happy jog was her Samoyed pup, Pepsi. Pepsi was a good-matured dog who usually had a happy-go-lucky attitude but a sensible side as well. He was on the smaller side of the Samoyed breed, and wasn't known for being a horse ranch dog type, but fit in well with the type. Delilah had received him as a gift from her parents one year.

"Alright Peps. How about you work a little magic with Miss V here." The mare stood, ever watchful, from her pasture. When she saw the white-coated dog waddle his way up to her, she snorted at him and backed up. Pepsi slipped under the fence with ease and gently trotted up to Velia. A small bark escaped his lips. In response, V blew a loud, resounding neigh into his face. The Samoyed didn't turn tail and run, just panted happily as though smiling as Velia got up in his face. Delilah was pleased, for although aggressive, the mare did not appear completely opposed to Pepsi.

The dog romped around V in circles, sniffing around her. He ended up back in front of her. Velia held her head high, making attempts to ignore the pup. She trotted off. He followed. She payed no attention. Pepsi payed enough attention for the both of them. After over an hour of the same back-and-forth game, Velia finally lowered her head to the Samoyed in a way of stiff acceptance, to which Pepsi hopped up, placing his front legs on the bridge of V's nose. He gave her a sloppy lick. Typical Pepsi. When he walked off slightly, this time, eventually, Velia moved slowly towards him. By the second hour, the two had begun a different game, where one burst off and the other chased them with a loud neigh or bark.

When the mare finally grew tired, she calmly and gracefully laid down, curling her front legs to the side and resting her head softly on the ground. Pepsi approached and lowered himself, as though asking permission, to which Velia snorted. The Samoyed walked to her and then settled to the ground as well, laying so that his head could rest on her neck and his tail tickled her leg. Delilah smiled warmly, and then got up and worked around the barn, occasionally peeking on the two, who were softly daydreaming.

Later, Del called them in, and placed Velia in her stall with her evening grain, extra hay, and fresh water. After the mare finished, Delilah turned off most of the lights so that the only one the remained on was a dim light above her stall. As she and Pepsi exited, the Samoyed seemed to linger briefly, glancing back at the aisle. He let out a yip, and in reply V whinnied loudly. Feeling as though she was safe and sound, the dog trotted after Delilah up the driveway to the house.

[Arrows]

Velia was sitting in her pasture, near the gate when Delilah came down to the barn. It had been a few days since the interaction with Pepsi had gone so well, and they had gotten into a routine. In the morning, Pepsi came down to play with the mare. After that, Del gave her some free time to eat and rest in her stall. Then, she put on Velia's halter, longer and longer each day. She appeared to be growing much more comfortable.

Delilah was feeling good about the growing relationship between her in the mare - excellent. She found, however, that it was not all perfect. Velia still was vigilant about keeping an eye on Del when they worked. When Del groomed V, the mare's eyes would follow her all the way around. She wondered how she could get the mare to trust her better. Delilah had called her sister, asking if she had dealt with any horses with trust issues. She looked online. It was time to do some work.

Early that morning, Delilah was up and about, feeding her horses and quickly trying to finish her chores and get to Velia. Since the mare had come to her barn, she had gotten multiple other incredible horses that she loved dearly. They had consumed much of her time, but now it was time to pay attention to Velia. She took the mare out to an open arena and started her work.

It was difficult at first. Velia had a lot of trouble letting herself trust, especially a woman. It took a couple days before progress was noticeable. The mare licked her lips more often, a sign of respect. She would turn and look at Delilah, and nearly follow her when they were out together freely in an arena. Velia reacted quicker to commands and was not so cold to Del all the time. When she worked around the barn, the mare's watchful eye was not always on her. It was nice to witness the change. Although Velia remained a bit hot-headed at times, she was much with people in general. It was a much-needed change.

[Arrows]

It had been a long week, but there had been great progress. Finally, Velia and Delilah were truly getting places. The mare was really starting to respond. In light of this, she decided that it was time for Velia to be put under a saddle. They had to work harder now. So, after another early morning, Velia was placed in crossties and Del started testing her out with the recently-purchased English gear she had purchased for the mare.

The situation was slow-moving for a while. The blankets were the easy part - light and hardly noticeable in the whole scheme of things. Delilah was pleased with this, and took a hold of the saddle with shiny black leather. Every time she lifted in up, Velia would jerk back in the crossties. It was as though something possessed her. So Del tried different things to get her used to the saddle.

She removed the mare from the crossties and had someone help keep a hold on Velia. This seemed to work much better. After a few jerks, she seemed to calm down and Delilah could safely place the saddle on the mare's back. After this ordeal, it was tightening the saddle that became an issue. Del was slow with tightening the saddle, not wanting to suddenly cinch down and surprise Velia. All was going well until the mare decided it was too tight for her - and reared up slightly. She went wild, and Del could not safely remove the saddle. She was forced to let the mare forcibly get used to the weight and proper tightness.

And she did. It took some kicking and rearing and upset stomps, snorts and snaps and all of the rest, but Velia soon stood still and calmed down. The mare adapted to the saddle. Delilah took her lead rope and led her around the arena, allowing her to get a feel for the saddle. It was a bit tedious and awkward at first, but Velia eventually moved with grace and strong stride. Just one bit closer to riding and the end of training.

Delilah was proud of her mare. Velia had been doing very well. A relationship had been built and trust formed. Velia had learned to be calmer and more tolerant. With all of her problems, Del believed everything would turn out well and Velia could become an excellent horse to ride and compete with. She just needed a bit of patience.

[Arrows]

Today went surprisingly well. There is no need for over the top details. Delilah tacked up Velia with no error or tantrum from the mare - this already made Del happy and hinted at a good day. In general, Velia appeared to be in a great mood and happy. Perhaps it was the unusually nice, mild days that had come their way. A stroke of luck.

With gentle hands, Delilah hooked Velia up to a long rope to lunge her. She pulled out a long whip - their would be no true reason to whip the mare, it would simple encourage her work. It was very easygoing at first. Velia responded well and smoothly went into a large circle at the end of the given rope. For a long while, the two just walked with that saddle on. Then, Delia stepped it up just a little bit.

She clicked her tongue at the mare, and then waved the whip slowly at Velia. This was all she seemed to need. Velia took it a little too fast and got a bit excited, but otherwise did very well and calmed easily. Her stride was even and she moved with beautiful elegance. Delilah loved watching the mare move - it could be entrancing.

The pair repeated this process the other direction, Velia only once crow-hopping the slightest bit. There were no large problems. Delilah was very impressed with her mare's attitude and ability. This led Del to be confident enough to push Velia into a soft, gentle canter. She kissed loudly and again waved the whip at her. After some violent head bobs and some fast-moving strides, Velia fell into pattern. Her hooves landed softly, not pounding or appearing heavy. She did not trip or limp. The ground work went excellently. Delilah allowed the mare the rest of the day off for her good work. The next couple days were spent with more and more ground work. Then it was time for their first ride.

[Arrows]

Today was good and bad. Delilah decided it was time to ride Velia. She believed the mare had it in her. Velia had been consistently taking to the saddle and the ground work. Now there was another challenge: bridling. Then, riding. If all went well, Velia and Del would be riding around by that afternoon. One could hope.

The bridle was the worst part. When the feel of the cool metal hit her mouth, Velia reacted violently. She yanked and pulled and reared away. It took multiple more tries before she would even consider it. Del got out a treat and held it up to the mare's mouth. When Velia opened her mouth to take the treat, she instead found the bit. It was a bit underhanded, but worked surprisingly well.

Velia was uncomfortable at first, always bobbing her head around and pulling, but then cooled down. Delilah gave her the treat she had used to place the bit in her mouth, which seemed to make her happy. With the bridle and bit successfully fitted, Delilah was ready to ride. There were multiple people who had come to watch, most in Del's family. She stepped up to the mounting block and brought Velia close. She stepped up, placed a leg in one of her irons and swung her opposite leg over the saddle.

Delilah sat softly, keeping from being to heavy the first time around. Velia danced about underneath her, pulling at the bit and glancing around. She was uncertain about the sudden change, the sudden weight. Del was patient, and simply waited until the mare stilled and seemed comfortable. When this happened, she waited even longer. Then, she gently clicked and pressed softly into Velia's side. And the mare walked.

It was all Delilah needed to feel like it was a victory. There was no need for trotting or cantering or anything advanced today. Today, they would walk. And that walk was sweeter than anything to Delilah. Velia's walk was incredible smooth and nice. She fit well with the mare. Sitting atop Velia, Del felt on top of the world.

They spent thirty minutes just walking. Then Delilah pulled gently on the reins and Velia paused. She removed her feet from the irons and slipped one leg to the same side as the other. She dropped out of the saddle and put her irons. All of the day's nervousness had disappeared like that. Delilah had no doubt - Velia was trainable, and they would do this. Together.