Only a few days ago, I put the saddle on Fiona for the first time. Now, after only a few, short, busy days, I'm going to ride her...Excited to see how Ferris and Fiona have treated eachother, I watch from a distance before deciding to sit on the fence and gaze out into the paddock. Yupp... I definatly need to start putting some Neravontiis into the new paddock soo... this place just isn't big enough to wait anymore to try it out... It's roomy, but I don't want anyone to start to fight because of not enough personal space... And with that new shipment of Neravontiis coming in from Ferris is back now, and with him, his young, energetic, beautiful son, Franklin. Fay didn't seem to be too happy about Franklin getting all of my attention recently, yet, despite this, she treated him like her own son. Ferris didn't like when Fay tried to "adopt" his son, and their relation ship changed. They were aggressive towards each other, and I would tell it would be a while until they created their friendship again.
Rather than hanging out with Fay, Ferris stuck around with all of the other mares, and seemed to be getting along nicely with Fiona, although, Fiona seemed more interested in Franklin, as Fay and Ferris stalked the new, scared colt. All of a sudden, I see a light green blur hide behind Ferris, as Fay ran after him. Then, the light green blur ran quickly, his legs moving him a great distance, but due to his short yet speedy legs, Fay could catch up to him. She had scared him into the corner of the fence, and started walking away, going back every few steps to check on him. She treated him as her own for a minute, before worried Ferris realized where his beloved son was. He ran up to Fay from grazing with Fern, Fiona, and Fara and confronted her.
However; I had to ignore the issue, hoping it wouldn't end badly, and start to work with Fiona on riding. Quickly, I scurried from the fence to the shed to grab the training tack. I had worked with Fiona twice a day, and yesterday was the first time I put the bridle on her. She responded to it pretty good, although, she was a bit confused at times what certain movements meant. I quickly placed the tack on the fence rail, noticing that ay and Ferris worked it out, Franklin grazing near Fay, with Ferris blocking the two of them. I shrugged, I could only guess what had happened, and I ran into the paddock with a halter and lead rope, heading straight for Fern, Fara, and Fiona. The three girls were grazing peacefully. Fern looked up at me, followed by Fara. The two of them looked at each other wondering who would be ridden, as they noticed the tack on the fence. I walked up to Fiona's side, and reached my hand out and slid it along her body, letting her know I was there so I didn't startle her while she was grazing.
When I arrived at her face, she looked up and stretched her neck out. Her mouth was full of snow covered grass, her lip white and furry looking because of the snow. Every once and a while, a few, small delicate water droplets dripped from the bottom of her lips when her warm breath melted the white snow. I slipped on the old halter and buckled it to the right size for her face. Looks like I'll need to get a new halter for Franklin soon... this will never fit him! I lead Fiona, who was still chewing a mouthful of shriveled up grass, near the fence. I kept her on a short lead, walking right next to her left shoulder the whole time. If she waked to fast, I would back her up. She was still learning to respect my personal space. I tied Fiona to the fence post using a quick release knot, I wasn't sure how she would take me being taller than her, and I needed easy access to let her run, just incase.
Once Fiona was all nice and clean, I quickly put the saddle on her. I tightened up the girth on the other side, and attached the tail piece. I put on the breast collar, and then climbed up onto the fence. Where I was standing, on the top rail of the fence, would be where I would have to stand to mount her. Fiona looked scared and confused at me being taller than her. I got down, and calmed her. I stroked her face gently and talked to her for a few minuets before getting back up onto the fence. This time, she wasn't as nervous. Her feet weren't moving in place, and she stood still. I got back down and praised Fiona for doing a good job. I quickly unbuckled the cold metal buckle on the halter, and slid it down her face. It hung from the fence, but soon fell to the ground from the weight of the halter pulling on the loose knot. Ignoring the fallen halter, I quickly put the reins over her neck, and put the bridle on.
I climbed up onto the fence, and took the reins into my hands. I leaned over Fiona, and put some weight on her back. She shuffled her feet, and as soon as she stopped, I took the pressure off. I did this a few times, before Fiona finally accepted the pressure. Then, I placed my foot into the stirrup, and leaned on my left foot. Again, I did this a few times. Fiona was ready. I placed my foot into the left stirrup, and pushed off of the fence. I swung my right leg over her back, and quickly placed it into the stirrup. I sat down. Fiona started walking off, but I soon stopped her. I gently kicked the side of Fiona once I got every situated and Fiona calm, and she stood there. I kicked her again, but I could tell she was confused. I lifted the reins high on her neck, and kicked her repeatedly until she moved. Once she did, I stopped for a second, and kicked her again until she moved. Soon, Fiona understood what I meant, and she started walking. We walked the length of the fence, and back to where we started. Pulling back on the bit, Fiona didn't respond. She threw her head in the air, I could tell the bit hurt her. "Woahhh, Fiona," I told her as I pulled back again, but more gently. This time, she stopped. Fiona looked at me to see if she had done it right, and I praised her.
Quickly, I dismounted and I put the halter back on her. I tied the same type of knot onto the fence, and I quickly ran back to the shed with treats in my pockets. Then, I un-tacked her, and rewarded her with lots of treats. I gave Fiona a huge hug, and I unbuckled the halter. I tapped her side, and she went running back to my other Neravontiis. They ran and played together, even Fay, Ferris, and Franklin. I smiled a huge grin, happy to see everyone liked each other again.