Post by Emily on Jun 17, 2008 15:59:22 GMT -5
Emily led the dark bay mare out to the track on a warm summer evening. Supernova pranced in circles as she watched other horses be led off the track. She nickered to a passing colt as her rider tried to get her still enough to mount. This was exactly why Nova got this workout spot- she just couldn't focus when there were other horses doing seperate workouts or going in a different direction from her. Emily pet her shoulder as the pair walked out onto the track for a quick sprint before darkness fell around them. The lights were already being turned on on the track and she knew that they would have to get down to business fast before the shadows set in and Nova had a excuse to spook.
Emily led the mare to the gates and asked a groom to stick around for a few minutes to man them. Usually she didn't make the effort and just started them at the first flag, but Nova had a big race coming up and Emily didn't want her to be stressed out by the gate beforehand so she figured a little practice couldn't hurt. Emily walked her toward the fifth gate- close to the middle where she was likely to be at a race. Nova looked at it a little but walked in fine. It was the moment the gate closed behind her that got her. She bucked at it and when that didn't work she reared in fear. Emily pet her and talked softly in her ear, trying to settle her down before the gate flew open and she would have a place to go with her fear. After a few seconds she could feel her settle down and nodded at the groom to start the countdown for the gate to open and got into position, waiting for the moment when she and her horse would shoot out of the gate and rocket down the track.
The pair took a deep breath together as the gate swung open and the empty track was upon them. Nova jumped into action, stretching her nose out and letting her long legs move beneath her in a familiar rhythm. Emily moved her arms up the mare's neck and gave her her head so that she could extend over the smooth dirt surface. She lowered herself on Nova's body as the first pole flew by and they approached the second. The fiery mare did best with short sprints so there wasn't a whole lot of room to spare when it came to gaining pace. Supernova extended as the fourth pole passed. She was nice and warm by now and Emily asked her to take it up a notch for the last two furlongs. She let her crop flutter over the mare's shoulder and they were flying. The six-furlong pole passed and she began to slow the mare into a quiet canter to cool down. She was happy with the workout and felt like they would be prepared for the next race and let her walk.
Emily dismounted the mare as they walked of the track. A groom was standing by to take her back to the barn but she waved him off and led Nova to the washstall herself. She sprayed her down and then led her back to her stall where her dinner was waiting for her. As the horse began eating her grain, Emily ran her hands over her dark coat and whispered "You really shine out there sweet girl."
Emily led the mare to the gates and asked a groom to stick around for a few minutes to man them. Usually she didn't make the effort and just started them at the first flag, but Nova had a big race coming up and Emily didn't want her to be stressed out by the gate beforehand so she figured a little practice couldn't hurt. Emily walked her toward the fifth gate- close to the middle where she was likely to be at a race. Nova looked at it a little but walked in fine. It was the moment the gate closed behind her that got her. She bucked at it and when that didn't work she reared in fear. Emily pet her and talked softly in her ear, trying to settle her down before the gate flew open and she would have a place to go with her fear. After a few seconds she could feel her settle down and nodded at the groom to start the countdown for the gate to open and got into position, waiting for the moment when she and her horse would shoot out of the gate and rocket down the track.
The pair took a deep breath together as the gate swung open and the empty track was upon them. Nova jumped into action, stretching her nose out and letting her long legs move beneath her in a familiar rhythm. Emily moved her arms up the mare's neck and gave her her head so that she could extend over the smooth dirt surface. She lowered herself on Nova's body as the first pole flew by and they approached the second. The fiery mare did best with short sprints so there wasn't a whole lot of room to spare when it came to gaining pace. Supernova extended as the fourth pole passed. She was nice and warm by now and Emily asked her to take it up a notch for the last two furlongs. She let her crop flutter over the mare's shoulder and they were flying. The six-furlong pole passed and she began to slow the mare into a quiet canter to cool down. She was happy with the workout and felt like they would be prepared for the next race and let her walk.
Emily dismounted the mare as they walked of the track. A groom was standing by to take her back to the barn but she waved him off and led Nova to the washstall herself. She sprayed her down and then led her back to her stall where her dinner was waiting for her. As the horse began eating her grain, Emily ran her hands over her dark coat and whispered "You really shine out there sweet girl."