Tempest

[Caitlin]

<sub>Evaluation: Pre-trained

Tempest looks like a promising racer. She has the correct conformation and not an abnormal height for a thoroughbred. Her lines are amazing, and she is young and able to live up to her ancestors and hopefully surpass them. She has a good coat, a nice chestnut which stands out among the bays and greys. She has good paces, but has yet to prove herself under saddle, on the track, at a breeze, and finally in a field of horses.

[ooc]Sorry, I have no idea if she is broken or not.[/ooc]</sub>

[Caitlin]

<sub>I jumped out of the truck, shutting the door tightly so I knew the battery wouldn't run out. The Newfie glared at me from the back of the truck, panting loudly before collapsing in the shadow of the bed. You'll only be there for a little while CJ. I told the dog, now moving to the race barn.

[ooc]Could I get her temperament so I play her correctly? Sorry if I'm being too much of a bother [/ooc]</sub>

[+ Spiritedbrumby +]

ooc: lol no not at all it's great. At the moment she is a bit bi-polar in the way she reacts to people. Most of the time she is a sweet little princess until you give her any sort of competition where she just HAS to be the dominant one in the situation. That would be great if she was trained and racing but she's not so she's going to hurt herself carrying on that way. She gets along well with about 70% of the other horses just not the ones younger than her. I guess if you put her into a human sort of attitude you could say she acts older than she is and wants to grow up too fast. As far as handling goes she's the normal sort of horse, she can be good some days and iffy on others.

[Caitlin]

<sub>[ooc]Great. Thank you. If I'm going off her temperament, just tell me.[/ooc]

I walk into the barn, looking down the aisle and sometimes looking into the stalls. I stopped at the stall with 'Tempest' engraved on a nameplate and grabbed a halter and lead. I slipped inside the filly's stall, standing by the slightly open door in case she kicked. I stretched out my hand, standing still as Tempest sniffed my hand, then nudged me. I moved around to her left side and stroked her neck, allowing her to get used to me. I soon put the halter over her head, buckled it, clipped the lead, and led her into the aisle. I grabbed a few brushes, a hoof pick, and saddle set as I walked out into the bright sunshine. I took Tempest a ways from the barn where there were less distractions, and tied her to the fence of an empty paddock. I showed her the brushes so she wouldn't spook and began to groom her.

[ooc]Will add to this later.[/ooc]</sub>

[Caitlin]

<sub>First, I grabbed the curry comb and loosened the dirt and dust in her coat. There wasn't much at all, but I was doing a thorough grooming anyway. I grabbed the hard bristle brush and took the stray chunk of dirt off her legs, then switched the the cowboy brush and removed the dirt revealed by the curry. I took a soft bristle quickly over her body to take off the left over surface dirt, then took a shimmy rag and made her coat shine. There. A brand new penny wouldn't have looked better. I commented, brushing a bit of dust from her face with a sponge. Now Tempest. I'm just going to saddle you and we'll walk around, okay? I said, grabbing the saddle pad and placing it neatly on her back. She was no doubt used to a sheet and rug, so the pad didn't bother her much. I let her sniff the saddle, a worn but faithful english saddle. You'll be running a lot lighter than this. But I want you used to different kinds of saddles and weights. I explained, dropping the saddle over the pad and buckling the girth a few holes. I grabbed the bridle, an easy O-ring snaffle and pushed it into Tempest's mouth. She didn't feel like cooperating, so I stuck my thumb into her mouth and got her to open her jaws long enough to slip the bit in. I buckled the rest of the bridle while Tempest tried playing with the bit, ignoring me for a few moments. I returned to the girth and buckled it until it was snug, then untied her from the fence and led her around the yard.

I made sure she paid attention to me instead of the sights and smells. I'd let her investigate something if she showed interest, but I would lead her past the object until she became bored with it. Her bronzed ears were back, listening to me. I walked her past a few paddocks, letting her turn and watch the horses that galloped past, but nothing more. I mentally noted to turn her around well away from Xenophon's paddock and walk her back to the stable. But I turned her past the entrance and instead headed to a round pen. I fixed a lunge line to her bridle and set her off around the ring at a walk, trot, and canter. I had her go to the left first, making sure she could canter fine with the saddle on. She didn't really buck, other than the normal 'I'm-having-fun' bunny hop most horses did. I sent her around to the right and received basically the same reaction. I made her go around to the left again before stopping her and replacing the line with reins.

Tempest was sweating from the workout, but she was far from tiring. I ran a hand over her glistening neck, just to make sure I hadn't over worked her in the heat. I then grabbed the left stirrup and pulled down until I had my whole weight on it. She turned her head, wondering about the sudden shift in her balance, but stood firm. I did the same thing to her right side, to even it out. She flicked her ears back, now curious to what I was doing. I moved back to her left side and put my foot in the stirrup and slowly leaned over her back. I could tell she was a bit startled, surprised by the change in weight. I slid my right leg over so now I was completely in the saddle. I picked up my right stirrup and clicked loudly, nudging her sides a bit. Tempest wasn't too fearful. She walked around the ring like she had done it every day of her life, only protesting when I turned her to go around to the right. I know. You'll mainly be going around to the left. But you need to be used to going both ways. I cooed, nudging her again. She stamped a hoof, throwing her head up a little in rebellion. Come on Tempest. We're almost done for today. I added, tightening the right rein and finally convincing her to walk a few laps to the right.

I slid off Tempest's back and took her over to a wash rack. I unsaddled her and slipped a halter over her head so she'd stay put. I returned the tack to their stands and grabbed a sweat scraper, returning to the filly's side. The sweat had dried to an invisible stiff layer. Dust had settled, so it covered her in a slippery grime. I rinsed her off, rubbing my hands over a rough spot if the grit was being stubborn. I removed the excess water and moved her back to the paddock for her to dry in the sun. While I was waiting, I returned the brushes and wiped the shiny copper hairs from the saddle pad and girth. I rubbed the bit clean with an old rag, then went out to fetch Tempest. See, today wasn't so bad. I said, putting her back in her stall and slipping the halter from her head. I sneak her a few carrot chunks, gave her a rub for goodbye, and returned to my truck.</sub>

[Caitlin]

<sub>[ooc]Sorry for the wait.[/ooc]

I came back the next week. I packed my own grooming kit, just in case I couldn't find one. I slipped into the barn and took the filly's halter off the hook. Tempest! I called, walking down the aisle to her stall. The chestnut head poked out, and she surveyed me briefly before retreating to a dark corner in her stall. Aw, going to be difficult today? I asked lightly, opening her stall door halfway and approaching her on the right side. She saw me coming and stood firm. I tossed the lead over her neck, slid the nose band over her muzzle, and buckled the brow strap. It was harder doing it on her right side, but I managed to get the correct hole. I grabbed the lead and jiggled it a bit, letting her know I was there. I walked out of her stall and exited the barn, Tempest following at my shoulder.

I tied her loosely to a D-ring on the side of the barn and curried her sides. I couldn't tell if she liked it or not: her ears were back but not pinned, and she was focusing on the brush. I took a cowboy brush and smoothed out the hairs and getting the dust off too. I then switched to a soft brush and took the exposed dirt on her face. I took a comb and brushed her short mane flat, and tugged a few stray tangles out of her tail. I then retrieved the saddle and bridle from the tack room and returned to Tempest. She looked me over, then stepped over to her left, as far away from the saddle as possible. Come on Tempest. We're going to the track today. I told the filly, grabbing the pad and slipping it over her back. You've been doing pretty good all week. So now you get to canter and stuff on the dirt. I added, throwing the saddle on next and buckling the girth. I did all the normal things, like putting on the bridle, tightening the girth, fixing the breast collar, and wrapping her legs pretty quickly. I unbuckled the halter and took her reins. We walked over to the mounting block, and I jumped on when she was close enough.

I was pretty comfortable riding her, and I knew most of her feelings to spooky things and other horses. There actually weren't any other horses on the track, so it was a big relief. One less thing to worry about. Tempest jerked her head to the left, immediately resorting to our old routine in the round-pen. Not today Tempest. I corrected gently, checking on the right rein and urging her on. She grew excited almost at once. Her ears perked, and her stride became more fidgety and excited. I loosened the reins, letting her have her head to calm her down. Come on Temp. I cooed, gaining her attention for a moment and getting her the rest of the way to the track with her focus on me.

Tempest jigged excitedly through the track gap, stopping once she was completely on the dirt, and whinnied. No other horses, Tempest. I said, getting a good position in the saddle before I nudged her sides. She walked on, but I was ready if she bolted. I had her walk around the entire track, making her walk back and forth if she spooked at an object. When we reached the final stretch again, I urged her to trot. Just so you get used to speeding up right here. I explained, bouncing in the saddle as I tried posting. Tempest pulled at the bit, naturally wanting to go faster. All we had ever done was walk and trot. She wanted to GO. I gave in, sitting deep in the saddle, bumping her with my right leg, and smooching. Her head shot up, and she leaped into a ground-eating canter. She went along easily, more like a rocking horse than the bumpy, uneven stride I expected. I let her canter for two furlongs or so, then slowed her back to a trot after we passed the finished. Good girl. I praised, turning her to the left and walking her back to the gap.

I let Tempest cool off on the walk back to the stable. I slid off, slipped the reins through the D-ring and unfastened the girth. I took the saddle and pad off, and laid them to the side for now. I then unwrapped her legs and switched the bridle with her halter. I then hosed the dried sweat and dirt off her back, took off the excess water with a scraper, and put a light sheet on her back. I turned her out in a paddock, as she still had some energy to burn, and put the tack back in the tack room.

[ooc]I normally do my posts like this. Then that post will represent what I did with her for the whole week. So, they'll be long and coming every few days when I find some time.[/ooc]</sub>

[Caitlin]

<sub>I parked quickly by the main barn, glancing in the rear-view mirror anxiously. The trailer wobbled precariously, rattling menacingly before stilling quietly, as if to gather enough strength to shake again. I quickly slipped out of the door, two dogs jumping out of the bed of the truck at the sight of me. Both were black, one a large, wild looking male with light grey eyes. The other, a slimmer female with a golden left eye and a blue right eye. Imouto. Sourei. Be good. And don't do anything stupid. I commanded, smirking a bit as my own little fox Zzyzx snarled at the larger canines. The two dogs snapped back, hackles raised. With a disapproving glare from me, they calmed down and settled beside the truck, in the shade. I walked back to the trailer and opened the ramp. I let it down slowly, looking inside cautiously.

Two horses were in the three-horse goose neck slant. The center section separated them, and for good reason. The closest, a black colt lightly dusted with chestnut hairs was stamping impatiently, his eyes ringed white. He was drenched in sweat, and one fore hoof was raised in mid-air, about to strike the ground. A little weanling, he was extremely mature for his age, but this was his first time in a trailer. Hello baby. You'll be all right. I'm here. I said gently, unclasping him from the trailer lead and taking him out by his halter. Axel practically leapt down the ramp, and he pulled wildly once his hooves touched firm ground. I let him go, watching for a moment as he spun around and bolted down the stretch of road from the barn to the practice track. He wouldn't go very far, as his stamina wasn't that good yet, and he adopted me as his mommy. Sure enough, he banked to the right and turned around, cantering back to me. I patted his damp neck, and pushed his chest gently. He backed obediently, only taking a few steps before looking curiously into the dark depths of the trailer. The other horse, a wild-looking black mare, stood quite calmly. She tossed her head, eager to get out. I switched her to a normal lead and walked her out, tying her to the trailer hooks. Axel pranced energetically, bobbing his head in a sign of play.

Then his whole demeanor changed. Ears pinned, he bolted, coming next to the quarter horse. Like lightning, he reared and struck, slamming his fore hooves into her muscled haunches. She bucked, but the weanling was a second faster. He landed and twisted to the side, ramming his already prominent teeth into her coat. He bit and wrenched his head back, tearing at her sensitive flesh. She squealed loudly, semi rearing and striking the trailer tire. Axel swung around and bucked, catching her in the barrel. Momentarily out of breath, the black shuddered and coughed, trying to regain herself. I bit my lip and pressed against the mare's left haunch, swatting at Axel's head over her rump. No! Back off! I yelled, finally feeling my palm connect with his muzzle. The young colt did as asked, though he was still trying to get at the mare. I stepped between them and slapped his muzzle again. No. I repeated, grabbing hold of his halter and hooking him back in the trailer. He neighed shrilly, trying to get out of the confined space. Too late. A ten minute time out. I called, opening the tack room and pulling out the racing saddle.

[Will continue in another post]</sub>

[Caitlin]

<sub>[ooc]I honestly won't have time to train her after this post, so I'm combining the last two legs of her training. I don't mind if I don't get paid, for doing this.[/ooc]

Axel snorted triumphantly as I let him out of the trailer. Imp pinned her ears, but stayed obediently where I had her ground tied. I led Axel to the empty paddock inside the practice track and turned him out. Kicking up his heels, he squealed playfully, inviting me to join. I made sure the gate was secured and none of the fences looked weak before returning to the trailer. I opened the small tack compartment and took out all the racing gear I had brought. Blinkers, a hood, lead pad, sponge roller, bib, martingale, lightweight crop, flash bridle, Australian cheeker, polo wraps, and an actual racing saddle. I slung the tack over a nearby fence and ran into the barn to fetch Tempest.

The filly nickered expectantly when she spotted my shadow on the floor. She stood quietly as I clasped the lead to her halter and took her out. I was feeling a bit rushed, so I held her lead loosely and swept all of the dust and bedding that gathered on her chestnut coat. The filly knew something was up, and jostled anxiously at my side as I led her to the trailer. Imp was where I left her, a bit of tall grass dangling from her lower lip. She chewed on the reins contently, not even stepping back when I tugged them out of her mouth and flicked her muzzle. Tempest was intrigued by the smaller mare, and bowed her head to investigate. While Imp and Tempest shared breaths and made friends, I tossed the sponge roller on Tempest's withers, then placed a cloth divider over it, then the lead pad [Handicap was 120lb], another divider, then the normal pad with the number '4' on it. I then dropped the saddle on her back to get her used to the rough handling found on the track. She craned her neck to the left when I tightened the girth, threatening to nip. I pushed her away, but found that she had puffed out her stomach while I was distracted. So, you do know some tricks? I mused, poking her in the ribs and waiting a minute before cinching it up tight. I buckled the over girth firmly, then connected the bib and running martingale. I would have preferred a German martingale, but my supplies were limited. I slipped Tempest's halter off and replaced it with the hood and flash bridle. She didn't really care for the hood, stamping her hooves when she felt the cloth touch her face. Easy does it. I murmured, working feverishly to make up for lost time.

The reins were put through the bib and martingale, then buckled to a somewhat tight length. Tempest chomped airily on the bit, occasionally nudging Imp good naturedly. Would this stocky thing be racing her? As if she could even come close. I took out my secret weapon from the tack compartment; a few ropes and three sacks of flour. It would simulate a rider when tied symmetrically, and I needed Tempest to be used to a rider and a pony horse. Once the three sacks were in place, I attached a ponying lead to Tempest's bridle and swung onto Imp's back. Guided by my leg cues, the little mare set off to the track while I held on to an excited Tempest. She seemed eager to finally be on the track, but this weight was new to her. And all of this gear felt heavy. But once she was exercised regularly, she'd hone muscle, and fly. She placed each hoof down carefully, and left it there a second too long, as if she wouldn't be able to take another step. Tempest eventually had to trot to keep up, and she looked almost like a gaited horse.

Finally we reached the dirt, and Tempest seemed to move better. Leather squeaked with each movement as we made our way around the track at a trot. Both girls needed to be warmed up for the lesson, and Tempest would get used to running with the weight before I got on her. Axel watched quietly from the paddock, curious enough about what was going on because he didn't charge the fence trying to get at me. Once we were back at the gap, I turned Imp to the right, and took her to the short stretch that housed the ready to use gates. Tempest snorted, looking cautiously at the contraption. Imp wasn't a racing mare, but she didn't seemed to be bothered by the gates. She'd be in the gates for the first time too. First, I dismounted and untacked Imp. She would run alongside us for the first two furlongs, giving Tempest a realistic experience. Imp was smart, but she'd think they were playing and would finish the "race". I then slung the three sacks off of Tempest and placed them by the inner paddock, out of the way.

Tempest stood barely contained, quivering as I led her to a mounting block and hopped on. She didn't buck or try to rear, even when I pressed her against the gates. Imp. In you go. I called, leaning down and tapping the mare's rump with my crop. She squealed, but walked grudgingly into the middle slot, tossing her head when the barrier behind her clanged shut. I maneuvered Tempest to the slot on Imp's right and urged her forward. She moved hesitantly, but seeing that nothing bad was happening to the Quarter Horse, she wasn't terribly spooky. Finally, she was in, and I pressed the latch on the dividers. The barrier behind her shut, and the filly panicked. She kicked first, trying to get some invisible track hand. She then tried bucking, but the walls pressed in on her, and she couldn't duck her head. She tried backing, but only bumped against the butt-bar. I let her front barrier spring only. She tried bolting out, but I held the reins so short that she could only throw up her head and jig nervously. I took her around again, this time leaving her slot completely opened. She balked, rearing powerfully. I leaned over her withers, clinging to the saddle until she landed. I made her go forward again, and again she reared, though balancing for a shorter time. Sweat lathered her whole body, and mine as well. She was making this too big a deal, causing a lot of stress. But I made her walk into the slot, but didn't trap her in. I halted her for a moment before walking her out again. I repeated this for a good twenty minutes, until Tempest got so bored with it that she walked in like a pro. I slowly closed the back and front barriers, and beamed proudly when she didn't freak out. I could see she was a bit tired, but still full of energy.

I crouched now in the jockey position, tapping the left partition to rile Imp up. She probably fell asleep from just standing in the gate. She snorted, alarmed, then kicked responsively. I nodded, satisfied, then pressed the latch down. A bell rang somewhere, and all five slots opened up. I kicked Tempest, causing her to spook and bolt out of there. Imp followed closely, bucking playfully before taking off on the inside. Axel followed on the inner paddock, in his own imaginings entered in our mock race. Tempest's legs seemed tangled, and she slowed momentarily. I flicked the crop, and she got her bearings, settling down into a speedy gallop. Just like I had planned, Imp showed us her tail for the first few furlongs. Then Tempest slowly crept up on her, staying neck and neck until the first turn came up, then passing easily. She pressed against the bit, wanting to go faster. I kept her in though, standing slightly so I had a bit more control. She went fine along the back stretch, lengthening the space between her and Imp to eight horse lengths before we reached the final turn. I had her take it a little faster, and she jumped at the chance to speed up. A bit of foam from her mouth flecked my boot, and her mouth was agape to get in more oxygen. But she was running, actually racing, and she loved it! 300 yards from our invisible finish, I let her out completely. Tempest rocketed forward, flattened and completely focused on her goal. She passed thirteen lengths in front of a tired Imp. I trotted Tempest for a furlong, then slowed her to a walk and slid from her back. I placed a comforting hand on each of the mares' necks and led them to the stable.

I washed both of them and placed coolers on their backs. I hooked them up to the hot-walker and set it for ten minutes, enough time for Tempest and Imp to cool off. While waiting, I cleaned up the tack and chased Axel around the paddock a little. He followed me eagerly when I went back to the stable, standing almost calmly as I rinsed him off. The timer chimed, and I unclasped the two mares. I switched out the coolers for stable blankets, and put Tempest in her stall with fresh feed and bedding. She sank appreciatively into the soft mix, dozing peacefully. I loaded Imp in the trailer before she collapsed and gave her some fresh water. I put Axel in the last slot, shut the trailer, and took off.</sub>

[Caitlin]

<sub>Of course.

Evaluation: Post-trained

Tempest has progressed greatly. Her original saddle breaking has been completed, along with the simulation of a day at the tracks. She should be used to distractions by now, and the rough handling they use when getting the horses into the gates, and just being at a strange place in general. She's fine with loading now, and seems to try and prove herself as better than the others, and behave most of the time. She still acts like she wants control over the way she runs, but she has a strong head and needs to learn to yield to what her rider wants. It may be best if she wants to win. She's fine with a pack, as well as energetic and ill-tempered horses that may break early, or flip out before loading. Overall, what she needs is experience. So go ahead and enter her in races when you feel she's ready.</sub>

[+ Spiritedbrumby +]

Thanks Caitlin. [pays]