Post by Emily on Aug 6, 2009 16:58:38 GMT -5
I walked into the barn upset and frustrated by all the particulars of the outside world. I had been planning to do a quick work with a few of the racers but now I was running late and would only have time for my yearling, Palisades Wandering Star. I took a deep breath as I entered his stall Look buddy I really need you to be good today k? The young colt looked at me with all the innocence he could muster up and began to play with the collar of my shirt in his lips. I rolled my eyes and scratched his forehead then grabbed a halter and led him out to the cross-ties. I set to work brushing his jet black coat while Comet amused himself by swinging from one side to the other. I then grabbed a saddle and bridle and watched his eyes light up as I led him out to the track.
Comet loved to work and the idea of racing down that soft dirt track thrilled him. I mounted him at the gate and held on as he leaped into the air and took off at a high-stepping trot. Whoa Comet we're just warming up here babe. He settled a little into something more resembling a working trot as we headed to the rail. Up til now all I had really done with Comet was trot and canter work with a two or three furlong gallop thrown in for fun, but today I wanted to see how he would do at a little longer distance like he would have to do in a race. So after I felt like he was warmed up and had some of the willies out of him, I trotted him over to the start.
Comet was incredibly mad when I asked him halt, believing that I was trying to end our session before we got to the good stuff so he began to spin in circles as I held him back from taking off on his own. Ya know, Comet if you would just put all four feet on the ground at the same time, then you might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome, I said as I sat down hard on his back. He finally came to stop facing the rail and prancing impatiently. I shook my head and turned him to face the right direction then got into racing position and let him go. There was a sudden release of power beneath me as my colt was released to do the thing that he truly loved. I saw the second pole pass and watched as his ears pin back and could hear his tail swishing furiously behind me, trying to convince me that there was no way that he was going to stop any time soon. I smiled and tapped my crop on his flank as the third pole passed, so he would know that I had no intention of stopping either. Comet perked up and kicked out in joy before stretching his legs into a balanced gallop. I kept him at the pace for three more furlongs then asked him to step it up a notch coming into the back stretch. He stuck his nose out and ran with the passion of a true racehorse. I smiled as the seventh pole passed and I asked him to slow now. He shook his head in protest but gave in obediently.
I scratched Comet's neck as I began to walk him out. When we got back to the barn I dismounted and laughed at the speckles of mud that covered the dark legs and underside of my colt and started walking toward the wash stall. As I watched Comet try to bite the stream of water that I was trying to spray on him, I remembered how upset I had been when I first arrived today, but couldn't for the life of me remember why I had been in a bad mood. I then gave Comet a big kiss on the cheek and said, Thanks for being my therapist baby.
Comet loved to work and the idea of racing down that soft dirt track thrilled him. I mounted him at the gate and held on as he leaped into the air and took off at a high-stepping trot. Whoa Comet we're just warming up here babe. He settled a little into something more resembling a working trot as we headed to the rail. Up til now all I had really done with Comet was trot and canter work with a two or three furlong gallop thrown in for fun, but today I wanted to see how he would do at a little longer distance like he would have to do in a race. So after I felt like he was warmed up and had some of the willies out of him, I trotted him over to the start.
Comet was incredibly mad when I asked him halt, believing that I was trying to end our session before we got to the good stuff so he began to spin in circles as I held him back from taking off on his own. Ya know, Comet if you would just put all four feet on the ground at the same time, then you might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome, I said as I sat down hard on his back. He finally came to stop facing the rail and prancing impatiently. I shook my head and turned him to face the right direction then got into racing position and let him go. There was a sudden release of power beneath me as my colt was released to do the thing that he truly loved. I saw the second pole pass and watched as his ears pin back and could hear his tail swishing furiously behind me, trying to convince me that there was no way that he was going to stop any time soon. I smiled and tapped my crop on his flank as the third pole passed, so he would know that I had no intention of stopping either. Comet perked up and kicked out in joy before stretching his legs into a balanced gallop. I kept him at the pace for three more furlongs then asked him to step it up a notch coming into the back stretch. He stuck his nose out and ran with the passion of a true racehorse. I smiled as the seventh pole passed and I asked him to slow now. He shook his head in protest but gave in obediently.
I scratched Comet's neck as I began to walk him out. When we got back to the barn I dismounted and laughed at the speckles of mud that covered the dark legs and underside of my colt and started walking toward the wash stall. As I watched Comet try to bite the stream of water that I was trying to spray on him, I remembered how upset I had been when I first arrived today, but couldn't for the life of me remember why I had been in a bad mood. I then gave Comet a big kiss on the cheek and said, Thanks for being my therapist baby.