[Animemice]

I get up early the next day and rush out to Hinda. Today I want to try lunging. I do the regular routine: feed, groom and then I go to the get halter and lunge line. Uncle Ben and his family have left thanks to some persuading from Tara, so now I can focus on training. If I don't get training done, we won't be able to show in the Mustang Makeover Finals, which is what I've been dreaming about other than my mustang since I got the letter. Plus, if Hinda isn't tame now, then when will she ever be tame? I have to keep going and teach her that she can trust me.

I slip on the halter, which Hinda doesn't seem to mind anymore. I let her sniff the lunge line, and she looks at it curiously. I wonder what it reminds her of. A snake, or maybe the hose? She doesn't spook, so that's a good sign. Her ears aren't back either. I slowly and carefully clip it on, and she watches me as I do it. "It's okay girl. It's just a lunge line. When I start moving with the lunge line you'll have to follow me, okay?" I explain to her. When the lunge line is on, I start walking around the runout. Hinda doesn't budge. I start to pull, not hard but a light tug. She steps forward, and I praise her. I start walking again, and she starts moving with me. Then I pull out a whip without the whip part. It has a small rope attached instead, which won't hurt Hinda. I then stop walking and stand in the center of the run out. I let her sniff the whip, then I move it slowly down her body, brushing her with it every time it moves. I then lightly tap her bum, and she starts walking in a flash. I can tell she doesn't like the whip, but she seems to know what it's for. Is it possible it's been used on her before? I shake my head, I have to focus, but it is a good question for Dawn to answer.

Soon, Hinda is trotting around the runout. It wasn't that hard to get her to trot, she seems very energetic and eager. I didn't have to use my whip much, and when I did it was to get her away from other horses. She seems more social and bubbly then ever, and I'm happy. Maybe she has adjusted to her new home and family. Her eyes are smiling, and I can see that she feels free to some degree. And then I know what I'm gonna do for her.

Notes:
More energetic and social
May have used whip before
Trots and walks on lunge line

[Animemice]

Music booms in my ears as I groom Hinda. I start singing along. Hinda turns around and stares at me, as if to say "Seriously?". I laugh and take the earbuds out, stuffing them in my pocket. Today I want to introduce Hinda to jumping. I've set up a course with only three jumps, and I'm going to lead her through them. When I'm done grooming her, I put on the halter and clip on the lead rope. I lead her out into the arena. "I know this place is new, but you'll get used to it." I tell Hinda. I walk her over to a jump, and I hop over it. Hinda follows, but she doesn't jump. She stands and watches. "Oh, come on! It's easy." I tell her. I pull an apple out of my pocket. "If you won't do it for me, I know you'll do it for this." I say. I back her up and jump over it again, this time Hinda is at my side. She soars into the air, looking like a professional jumper. "Good girl!" I say, and hold out the apple to her. She happily eats it, and then it's time to get back to work. This time I lead her over two jumps before she bails out. "We were so close, let's try and get the last one this time." I say as I stroke Hinda. We go back to the beginning, glide over the first two jumps, and then we finally soar over the third. I'm exhausted, but I let out a smile. "I'm proud of you. Very proud." I tell her, and she seems eager to jump more. I walk back to the first jump, ready to go one last time.

When I lead Hinda back to the stables, I notice a saddle laying on one of the racks. I turn to Hinda with a smile on my face. "I hope your ready for tomorrow, because your going to have a saddle on your back." I say.

Notes:
Likes to jump
Seems to be a good jumper

[Animemice]

I carry the heavy saddle over to Hinda's runout. Yesterday I planned that today I would have Hinda wear the saddle. I've showed her the saddle before, and she didn't seem to mind it. Hinda turns around curiously as I walk in. She walks over to me, sniffs the saddle, and then she begins chewing on the girth again. I tap her on the nose to get her to stop. "Those cost money you know." I tell her, but laugh. Hinda has brought so much joy into my life, and it's only been 16 days. I'm glad I sent in that letter, or she wouldn't be here. I start rubbing her with the saddle to get her used to it. Hinda stills eyes the girth. I then put it on her back. She raises her head immediately, but doesn't move. I then do up the girth, doesn't move. I then clip on the lunge line to her halter and walk around the run out. She follows, so I go to her and praise her. Then I stand in the center of the runout, tap her with the whip, and she starts to move.

After a long day of moving around with the saddle on her back, Hinda stops. "Your right girl, it's time for a break." I say, and start to take off the saddle. Then suddenly, I spot Soot, the black barn cat, climbing into the runout. "Shoo, Soot!" I try to get him away. Soot has a record for spooking horses, and I wasn't gonna let him spook Hinda after such a good day. I'd pick him up, but he only lets Tara do that, and I'm not calling her to come and take the cat. Soot has climbed in, and he's walking towards Hinda. "Shoo, silly cat!" I say, starting to fling my arms out at him. He avoids me and keeps walking, and then he reaches Hinda. I close my eyes and expect to hear a yowl or whinny, but no. I open my eyes to see Soot and Hinda sniffing each other. Neither of them flinch at each other, they just keep sniffing. Soot then starts to rub against Hinda, and she stands there silently without making a fuss. And that is how Hinda and Soot became friends.

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Notes:
Likes Soot
Is okay with saddle on back
Walked with saddle on back

[Animemice]

I once again carry the saddle to Hinda's runout. I've gotten used to carrying it, and now it's really easy to carry. Today I'm going to try and ride Hinda. I'm really nervous, because I've never dealt with something like this before. Of course I've been on bucking horses before, and of course I've fallen off more than a few times. But something about riding Hinda is different, as if it's wrong to ride her. But I have to do it, and though I'm nervous I want to do it. Hinda is still eating when I walk in, but when she hears the girth swinging around she rushes over to greet me. I put the saddle on a fence post. "Hey Hinda. Ready for a challenge today?" I ask her. She rubs her face on my shirt, and I smile.

I slip on the halter and lead her over to the fence post. I then climb up the fence post and sit by the saddle. I carefully take the halter off, and then put the bridle on. I pat her back, and then grab onto the reins and her mane. I slowly pull myself on. As soon I'm on her back, Hinda starts to buck. I hold the reins tightly, not letting go. She bolts to the pasture and rears in furious attempt to get me off. I feel myself slipping, so I make my grip on the reins tighter. She kicks up her legs and things start to get bumpy, I'm up in the air one second and on her back the next. She gallops in circles, and my hands are sweating. I don't think I can hold on much longer. She bucks again, and we both fly up in the air. "Easy girl!" I shout, but my words are ignored. She bucks and rears until I finally give in, slipping off her back smoothly. She gallops away, but I'm satisfied that I could even stay on that long. I then come up with another idea.

I ride my sister's horse Monet around the arena. Hinda is now in the arena too, and she watches our every move. I squeeze his sides and make a clicking noise, and he starts to trot. Hinda follows us around, trotting with us. I then slow Monet back to a walk and walk over some poles. Hinda follows us again, and steps carefully over each pole. I then back Monet up, and she backs up too. "See how Monet lets me ride him? It's okay for you to let me too." I tell Hinda, and she snorts back. Tomorrow is another day, and I can try to ride her again.

Notes:
Bucked and reared when I was on her back
Followed Monet around
Walked over poles, backed up and trotted while following

[Animemice]

Repeating the same routine of getting on Hinda from yesterday, I climb up the fence post with Hinda close enough to climb on. I get on her, hold the reins tightly, and get ready for the wild ride that I know is coming. She gallops around, rearing here and there, and bucking very few times to my surprise. Suddenly she bucks unexpectedly, and I'm tossed into the air. I land on the ground as Hinda runs off. I get up and wipe the dirt off my jeans. "You can do this, Alex Scott." I tell myself. When she calms down, I lead Hinda back and try again. This time, I lay both hands on her back, climb on, and then quickly get off. Hinda looks at me confused. She was expecting me to try and ride her again. I then get on her again, staying on a little longer this time, and then getting off. Hinda doesn't buck or rear or even whinny. She just waits. I climb on her back one last time, this time not getting off. Hinda's ears are up, but she seems used to me on her back. I smile, and gently squeeze her sides with my legs. She steps forward, and as soon as she does I praise her. She takes more steps, and each time I praise her until finally she's walking without being asked. "Good girl!" I say. She snorts, happy to have pleased me. I slide off and take off the bridle. When the bridle is put away, I take an apple out of my pocket. Hinda trots over, happy to eat her favourite treat. And I'm happy to have her.

Notes:
Let me ride her
Walked with me riding her

[Animemice]

Hinda and I walk around the arena, doing laps. I count them in my head, and by now I've counted five laps. "Okay girl, let's take a break." I say, and stop her. I get off carefully. Not only am I using the saddle, but I plan on going on a trail ride today. Hinda follows me out of the arena, and I take her to the water trough. She drinks for a while, and then I get back on. We walk over to the pasture, and we then go through the pasture to the trail.

The trail is shaded over by trees, and it's cold compared to the sunny pasture. Goosebumps start appearing on my skin, and I remember the cougar sighting was here all those years ago. When my dad owned the ranch, I went on this trail with Tara and her our ponies all the time. But one day when we were riding we saw a cougar, and we dismounted and ran home. The next day our dad went to investigate, and the ponies and the cougar were gone. We never saw those ponies again, or the cougar. I shake my head and focus on the trail. I'm older now, and the cougar is probably dead. We walk on, and then come across the old bridge. The wood still creaks and the river is still dirty, just like it was when I was a teenager. The bridge was where I had my first and last date, and it was perfect. But soon after that date the boy just wanted to be friends, and I respected that. I didn't show it but it really hurt me inside, and I've never gone on a date since. I sigh, I stroke Hinda. "Do you remember much of the wild? Your family? Your friends?" I ask her, and her ears turn slightly to me. In ways I feel bad for Hinda, but she doesn't seem to long for the wild anymore. But I bet it still hurts her to think about it. After crossing the bridge we walk back into the shade. The trees are beautiful, and I then remember my sister and I pretending we were tree fairies. I look around and am reminded of so many things I did as a kid or a teen. I smile, and remember. Some memories make me laugh, and some memories make me cry. When we leave the trail, I'm smiling, laughing and crying all at once.

Notes:
Rode in saddle
Went on first trail ride

[Animemice]

I sit on Hinda's back and quietly wait for my turn. It's taken so much effort and time to come this far. I can't stop thinking about how lucky I was to even be selected. What if I hadn't been selected? Who would Hinda be with? Where would I be? But that doesn't matter now. It's me and Hinda, and that's not going to change ever. Hinda stirs underneath me, eager to perform. "I know, I know. You want to get out there and do your tricks." I say, patting her on the shoulder. She paws at the ground eagerly. "Alex!" a voice calls. I look behind me to see my sister Tara, my parents, my friend Danielle, and Uncle Ben and his family. "What are you guys doing? You should be up in the stands watching!" I ask. "Well, we're Team Alex. How could we stay away from our star?" my dad says with a smile. I laugh. "I'm going out after this girl performs, but thanks guys. I appreciate it." I say. The girl walks back into the waiting hall. Then the voice in the speaker booms "Ladies and gentlemen, Alex Scott!" I canter out on Hinda to the middle of the arena, and then I tap her shoulder and make a clicking noise to get her to bow. When she does I pat her shoulder, and then we're off again. We canter around the arena, and as we pass the crowds they cheer. Some people are even holding up signs that say "We love you Alex!" or "Team Alex!" I smile and wave to these people, and they wave back. Then I turn and now I'm facing the jumps. Hinda canters at the first one and sails over. "What a jump!" the voice in the speaker booms. The next three jumps go just as well. Then I dismount Hinda quickly and lead her into the truck. A staff member inside the truck drives it forward, and when it stops I lead Hinda off and then we finish with her rearing. We the run out of the arena, the crowd going wild behind us. I smile so much my cheeks begin to hurt.

We didn't win first place, but I don't care. This was about bonding, friendship and love. A golden trophy is nice, but why would I want that when I already have a golden friendship with my horse? This isn't the end of my adventure with Hinda. The adventure has only started.

[SerenWish]

Congratulations on finishing up your form! <3 I hope to see more of the two of your at CWHR! :D remember that you can breed her/show her etc. there! :3

[Animemice]

Congratulations on finishing up your form! <3 I hope to see more of the two of your at CWHR! remember that you can breed her/show her etc. there! :3

Thanks! I stopped midway because my computer stopped working. I decided I should fully finish because that was the right thing to do!