[DarkestWerewolf]

Green breaking

With Aslan being used to the halter, it was time to take it a step further. He was introduced yet another tack similar to the halter, a bridle. He thought it was a halter and cooperated as Rhiannon tried to put it on but the moment he felt the foreign metal bit, he quickly backed off and slipped out of it.
"It's okay Aslan. It's just like your halter." Rhiannon said. "This one has a bit."
He pressed his ears back and grunted. Aslan really didn't like the sound of that. After a few more failed attempts of getting Aslan through the bridle, Rhiannon then decided to bring one of the horses out. After a while, she brought Upendi out. The mare was quiet as Rhiannon took off her halter and replaced it with a bridle. She let Rhiannon slip it on, all while Aslan was watching.
"See, it's not that bad." Rhiannon said, gesturing to the mare.
Upendi gave Aslan a few words of encouragement before she was led back in which he still had his doubts. After that, Rhiannon continued and tried to get Aslan to slip on the bridle. She continued to slip it on and take it off for a week, rewarding the stallion everytime he cooperated, similar to when she was halter breaking him. After a week, he got used to the bridle. Though he still didn't like the bit, it was tolerable and overtime, didn't mind it at all.
She took it another step and placed a saddle pad on his back. He didn't mind it at all though it was foreign and a little warm on his back initially, everything else was fine. It would sometimes slip off his back while grazing or doing his usual activities but it was pretty okay. After a few days of being used to the saddle pad, she decided to place the saddle on. The moment he felt the large saddle on his back, he bolted off, throwing it onto the ground. Rhiannon laughed as she picked it up and try again. She did it for the next two weeks until Aslan was used to the saddle and she was finally able to buckle him up and secure the saddle on his back. He reared and bucked but the saddle didn't come off. Aslan started to freak out but Rhiannon did a rather bold and dangerous move of throwing her arms around his neck in an attempt to calm him down. Golden brown eyes locked with Rhiannon's brown eyes as she whispered small words of encouragement. Eventually Aslan stopes struggling and Rhiannon manage to take the saddle off.
She knew she had her work cut out for her. For the next week, she continued to saddle Aslan up, over and over until the stallion finally showed no more signs of struggle and discomfort. Rhiannon smiled to herself on a job well done.
It took Aslan almost a month to be accustomed to the three different tacks and now, it was time to put them together. Rhiannon places the bridle on, followed by the saddle of and lastly the saddle. Aslan didn't struggle much as he let Rhiannon do her job. She stood back and observed the horse as he trotted around with the stirrups shining under the sun. He looked charming with the full tack set. She gave him an apple and a carrot on a job well done. Another milestone concurred, on to the next one!

Words: 580
Status: Complete

[DarkestWerewolf]

Green breaking with rider

It still took time for Aslan to be fully accustomed to the tack set. However, Rhiannon was patient and encouraging as she would always make sure Aslan was fully comfortable with the tack set before she moved on to the next phase. It took a month but Aslan was finally fully accustomed to the tack set. Rhiannon knew it was time to move on to the next step.
She brought Aslan out to the training grounds. She wore her riding clothes that day to minimise possible injuries and slipped on her riding helmet. Rhiannon started to calm Aslan down and let him get used to the training grounds before she tried to do anything. After a while, she placed a foot on the stirrup and added a bit of weight to it. Aslan unconsciously backed up, causing his rider to stop what she was doing and get off. However, Rhiannon wouldn't give up and tried once more. She eventually did and manage to mount Aslan. With the sudden weight, Aslan reared up and tried to buck her off but Rhiannon held on as the stallion reared, bucked and tried to get her off. She immediately tried her very best to comfort the panicked stallion by stroking his neck and whisper words of encouragement to Aslan. He did eventually calm down and was getting exhausted as well. She smiled and gave showered him with praises also giving him a carrot. By evening, Aslan was simply just standing while Rhiannon was still mounted on him. Neither moved, they just enjoyed the peace and quiet for a while. The rider got off after a while and gave Aslan a hug. The stallion nickered her as she pulled the stallion into her embrace. It wasn't as bad as Aslan thought and thankfully, no one got hurt. It was a rough start but it ended nicely. The following days continued with the same practice, there were times where Aslan was calm but there were times where he was so violent, Rhiannon would fall off but thankfully, with minimal injuries.
After a week, of this practice, Rhiannon decided it was time to try and ride and control him. Aslan has shown quite an improvement and Rhiannon was confident in taking another step. After mounting the Aslan, she tapped him with her stirrups and the stallion moved. Rhiannon tested to see if he responded to her changing directions by using the bridle and he did. Aslan felt achieved by this accomplishment as well, having a skip in his walk and beaming with pride. Everything was smooth-sailing and it was thanks to the practices. For the next few weeks, Rhiannon had been riding Aslan for him to be used to having a rider. There were times where Rhiannon would be bucked off but it's all part of the learning process. There were days where Rhiannon would take Aslan out on trail rides to get him used to the riding and get some fresh air. Aslan became comfortable and adapted to having a rider on his back. He did feel that it was nicer as when they go on trail rides, both parties enjoys each other's company. However, through this entire process of green-breaking Aslan, Rhiannon did learn something; if you fall down, get back up and try again.

Words: 550
Status: Complete

[DarkestWerewolf]

First training

After a month, Rhiannon decided it was time to train Aslan in a discipline. All of the horses at Wild's Calling Stable has a discipline they each specialised in and some have brought home numerous ribbons, trophies and notable achievements. The stable specialised in mainly jockey as there is a jockey practice dirt track located not far from the stable. It is mainly routed around the barn but it is still open to public.
Rhiannon has also seen Aslan play and run around with the other horses. She noticed that he shows potential as he is seen to be actually capable of keeping up with some of the jockey horses.
Rhiannon mounted Aslan and a friend of hers, Verena, mounted Arrow, one of the barn's jockey champions. They both headed to the start of the track where Rhainnon asked Verena to help time Aslan. Verena blew a whistle and Rhiannon got Aslan into a gallop. The stallion galloped down the dirt path, mainly relying on Rhiannon's steering as it was his first time but he thoroughly enjoyed it. He got a chance to see and feel how it's like to be a jockey competitor. He passed the back of the paddock where he saw Ambrosine and Thea cheer him on. Aslan felt amazing. Adrenaline was pumping through his body and the wind in his mane felt wonderful. His hooves thundered the ground as Rhiannon steered him into the last leg of the route where Arrow and Verena were in sight. Aslan went all out and dashed towards the finishing line. Aslan trotted around as he showed his happiness. Rhiannon was pretty amazed and gave Aslan a hug. When Verena told Rhiannon Aslan's timing, she was very impressed. Aslan has a lot of potential and could most possibly succeed in being the barn's next jockey champion. Arrow smirked as he complimented Aslan. The young stallion smiled and tapped his hooves, showing that he still has energy for a few more rounds.
Rhiannon and Verena noticed it and decided on a race. Both girls mounted the horses and approached the starting line. Verena blew the whistle and both horses bolted off. Aslan was in the lead with Arrow closely behind. Throughout the entire race, Arrow was keeping his pace of being a little behind Aslan. The young stallion honestly thought that he was faster than Arrow but he was proven wrong when Arrow easily overtook him in the final leg and crossed the finish-line first. Aslan didn't even feel disappointed, he was so amazed at how Arrow maintained his speed and overtook him at the end. The older stallion looked back and smirked.
"Don't worry Aslan. You've got a long way to go and this is already an amazing start. You don't have to worry. We'll work hard together." Rhiannon said as she gave her stallion a hug. "Your speed is great but we'll work on stamina for now."
Thus, for the next hour and a half, Rhiannon trained Aslan on stamina by having him go at a constant speed for as long as possible. Aslan was tired but he felt determined and pushed on. He found his muse and his passion. It felt great doing what he loves. By the end of the training, he was exhausted as the two horses and riders slowly trotted their way home in the evening sun. Aslan was convinced his legs wouldn't be able to carry his weight but it did. Both stallions drank out of the water trough and ate some food. That night, Aslan reflected on the day's activities and he felt happy, it was definitely a discipline he wouldn't regret doing and he can't wait to participate in competitions.

Words: 617
Status: Complete

[DarkestWerewolf]

Bonus story
First competition

A year went by quickly and Aslan was fully settled in his new home. He was well-received by everyone and is adored by Rhiannon to the point that Upendi would envy him every now and then. Through the many months, Aslan has also trained hard in jockey, proving to everyone that his draft horse bulk won't drag him down.
With such determination, Rhiannon thought it was finally time to enter Aslan in his first competition. She entered him and herself into a greenie competition that was happening in two week's time. She smiled to herself and went out towards the paddock. Aslan was casually grazing under the shade with Athlai when Rhiannon approached him.
"Hey Aslan." Rhiannon smiled. "We're going to enter your first jockey competition. I've already done the details and all. The competition will be in two weeks."
Aslan's ears perked up and neighed with joy when he heard that. He felt a rush of excitement and nervousness tingling. Athlai smiled, giving a few words of advices to the young stallion.
On the day of the competition, the trailer pulled up. Aslan trotted in as the other horses gave him their words of encouragement. The trailer rumbled off and headed towards the stadium. Aslan was led into a stall to rest while Rhiannon went to get changed. Soon, she stepped out in her red and black jockey uniform.
"Don't worry Aslan." Rhiannon reassured him as she tacked him up.
She mounted him and headed off. After a presentation round, the jockey headed into their gates and prepared for the signal. Aslan couldn't see to his sides but he did remember seeing a black Thoroughbred and an Anglo-Arabian during the presentation round and they both look pretty powerful. The stallion took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.
Silence filled the air as everyone awaited for the signal. A few seconds later, the loud air horn blew and the gates swung open. Rhiannon got Aslan into a gallop. Adrenaline rushed through his body as he bolted down the path. They were in the middle and sure enough, the Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arabian were up front. The horses headed towards the first bend and Aslan slowly started to get ahead. He maintained in third until the last bend. The finishing line was in sight and Rhiannon got Aslan into full swing. The stallion bolted down the dirt path. Both the Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arabian were by his side as all 3 were neck-to-neck. The crowd went wild as they knew it would be a close match. Aslan gave it all he got and he passed the finish line. All 3 didn't knew their positions. The results were soon shown on the billboard. The Thoroughbred was first and second was Aslan then the Anglo-Arabian.
"Nice one Aslan!" Rhiannon cheered. "It's your first time and you already got first!"
Aslan neighed as he felt satisfied. He stood proudly at the awards-giving ceremony where he and Rhiannon proudly received a ribbon and a small trophy. He was taken to wash up and have a quick check-up while Rhiannon headed to wash and change as well.
They both arrived back at the barn in the evening. The horses huddled near the edge of the paddock as the doors of the trailer opened up. Aslan came out with a monotonous expression that none of them could read until he gave a smirk and turned towards the other side where the ribbon was tied nicely to his halter. The horses cheered as they congratulated him on a job well done. Everyone was so proud of how far Aslan has came since he first came to the stable.

Words: 610
Status: Complete