Dead Letter

[+ Spiritedbrumby +]

Dead Letters training and exercise posts can be found here.

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Evaluation:

Caitlyn walked in to the barn where her second job was located. She saw many excelent horses, from Funny Cide to Regency. All showed great potentail or have proven themselves, as far as she could she. Slowly she made her way to the stall of the foal she was evaluating today, Dead Letter. Finding his stall, she undid the lock and went in. Attaching a lead rope to the halter he was already wearing, she lead him outside and hooked him up to the wall hooks.

Caitlyn took the chart and read over his stats. His sire is Arthurs Excaliber, so hopefully he will inherhit some of his sires greatness. His dam is also very nice. Looking up from the papers, she examined the colt with only her eyes. He has a really nice body form, and his muscles are already filling in nicely for his age. The color is also very catchy. Caitlyn went over and felt his body. His eyes are wide and bright and his ears are alert. He is very intelligent, you can already see that. As she examined the colt, she made other small comments and remarks.Nice neck. Somewhat short but sturdy and strong...Breathing good...His hooves are kind of frail but some polish with calcium with fix that easily....Strong hindquarters....muscular legs... When she was done, Caitlyn put the colt away and rewarded him the a chunck of apple for being good. Then she sat down on a tack box nearby and wrote out her report.

When she was done, she placed it on his clipboard and then left the stable, satisfied for now...

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Day 1

Caitlyn had finished the evaluation of the horse she was to train. He had turned out quite nice, with a good heritage and nice form to work with. She had left, gone for some lunch, and now returne to start the training.

Lead rope and halter in hand, she approached the bay colt. He allowed her to slip the halter on, but not without a chase first. Calmly, Caitlyn allowed the horse to play his antics first, but slowly she cornered his head in one place, and quietly slipped the halter on. Then, she snapped the lead rope and let him understand that he had lost their little game. But, to reward him, she gave him a carrot. She didn't want to spoil the horse, but having a horse not like you is even worse.

Once Caitlyn lead the colt out of his stall, she clipped him to the side hooks and removed the lead line. She quickly went over his bay frame with a damp rag to remove any stray hairs, and then got the saddle pad. She flopped it lightly on his back, but the colt paid no attention. Next, Caitlyn placed the saddle on his back. For this, the colts ears flicked back to listen to Caitlyn, and to ensure his own safety.

Switching the halter for a racing bridle, Caitlyn lead the ansty colt out to the track. Mounting him swiftly, she took a firm grip on his reins and sat tightly in the saddle. Turning him to the left, the opposite of the track, Caitlyn just let the colt walk. The track was going to be a second hime for this colt, soon enough, and she wanted him to be familiar with it, and not in the slightest afraid. Today they would just walk and jog, and get him used to going around the track.

Letter was paying attention to his surrondings as his rider asked him to jog. His did so, but his ears flicked back and forth and to the sides, examining the other horses going much faster and the opposite way. He missteped and hopped a few times, trying to tell his rider that he wanted to run with the other horses, but he was always answered with a firmer grip on his reins and a gentle tap with the whip. So, instead of wasting energy on fighting his rider, he calmly followed her instructions.

Caitlyn pat the horses neck alot as the finished. For the first lesson he passed with flying colors. He had shown eargerness to run with the other horses, but had listened to his rider in the end. Caitlyn quickly dismounted and lead the horse back to his stall. Since they had only walked and trot, he didn't need to be cooled off. She quickly handed his tack to a groom and changed his bridle for a halter. Then, she placed him in his stall, gave him a quick kiss for being so good, and left for the day. She would be back tomarrow to work with her new star, her new to-be champion.

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Day 2

Caitlyn pulled the key out from her car and locked it. Striding towards the barn with purpose, the wind blew her hair all around. Once inside the calm peace of the barn, she took a scrunchie from her pocket and tied her hair in a bun. Feeling around in the other pocket, she found a sugar cube, and then went over to Letter's stall.

Holding her palm flat out, she allowed the colt to lick the sugar cube out of her hand. Then, she stepped inside and and clipped a lead line on to his halter.

Closing the door behind the due, a groom handed her a damp cloth and she worked quickly, removing the night's build up of dust. She wanted to get out to the track extra early. Today would be the first day she let him run around the track the right direction, and she didn't want to do anything except let him gallop once around, and then cool him down. Caitlyn also didn't want many other horses on the track, for she didn't want to have Letter attempt to race.

While Caitlyn was thinking of her plan for the day, a groom had come in and tacked up Letter for her. Thanking the groom, she lead Letter outside and quickly mounted him. Sitting high in the saddle, Caitlyn turned the colt around to the right, instead of the left. They passed by a shoot for loading horses, but did not enter it. This was also a goal for today. She was going to teach him to load into a gate soon, and she wanted him for today to just get used to the metal contraption.

Letter's ears flicked back and forth nervously as they passed the gate, but he paid attention to his rider. Caitlyn clucked to him lightly after 1/2 of a mile of walking. Urging him to jog, they finished the mile. AT the 1 mile pole, Caitlyn smacked him with a small amount of force on his rear, and kicked him lightly. Clucking to him, she leaned down and felt the colt reaspond immediatly to all of her commands. He took off, galloping way to fast. Caitlyn tugged on the reins, rating the colt. They were going to gallop a full mile, but the colt didn't have the endurance to run it all out yet. Infact, no colt she knew of at his age could. Only the really strong, well-built 4 and 5 year olds could do that, and that was with a lot of effort.

Caitlyn slowled the colt as they finished the mile of galloping. Sweat was starting to show on his neck, but that would go away with time as he built up endurance. Caitlyn cooled the colten down with a mile of walking, and then dismounted and lead him to the barn. Handing him to a groom, she sat down for a few minutes to consider their progress. Tomarrow we will take a nice, long time grooming and a trail ride. He would probably enjoy that... A groom whistled to Caitlyn, telling her the colt was down. She found letter in his stall, quietly munching on his hay flake.

Entering the stall, Caitlyn rubbed his back and massaged his spine a little. A nice massage was always appreciated. The colt grunted and leaned in to Caitlyns hands, in pure horse heaven. She finished and patted his back once, and left for the day, excited about their trail ride tomarrow.

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Day 3
Caitlyn was already in Letters stall. She had a curry comb on him, and dust and hair were flying everywhere. Pausing to sneeze, Caitlyn rubbed her eyes and continued currying. da.mn allergies She said to herself. Pushing the colt's hindquarters and clucking to him, she curried his other side. Next she used a hard brush to remove the dust on his bay pelt and a damp rag to make it shine. A soft brush was used on his face and legs, not that it was needed.

Next Caitlyn took a jar of hoof polish she had bought just for Letter. It was regular hoof polish, but was enhanced with Calcium and Vitemins B12 and D. These were going to help make his hooves stronger, since they for some reason were kind of light and flakey. Strong hooves was a must for racehorses. With over 1000 pounds of muscle crashing down on a hard track for over 1 and a 1/2 miles, it was no wonder that they cracked easily. Thats why Caitlyn thought this polish would help.

Caitlyn thru a saddle pad over the colts back and then put on a loose english bridle. They weren't going to race today. No, they were going on a trail ride.

********

Once outside, Caitlyn used a low tree branch to vault herself onto the saddle-less back of the colt. Getting comfy, she watched as the colt twicthed his muscles and flicked his ears back in interest. Apparently, nobody had every ridden him bareback, with just a pad. Caitlyn did't like using the pad, however when it came time to protect the horse, she wanted to make sure her weight didn't endanger the horses delicate spine. So she dealt, and then lead the colt onto the trail.

Letter seemed to really enjoy himself. Caitlyn was using a bitless bridle, and so occasionaly she let the colt stop to munch on some grass or steal an apple from a tree above.

**Sorry, I have to go...plus I think this meats the 25 limit for posts. Day 4 will be the other half of this**

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Day 4
A lake came into veiw as the duo went farther from the barn. This lake was clear, you could see right down to the bottom. Caitlyn decided that they could go for a swim, she knew horses loved getting wet. Using her knees to hold her body up, she slipped the saddle pad off and tossed it onto the ground. Getting a pad wet was not smart, as they took forever and a day to dry. CLucking to the colt, they approached the waters edge. Letter flicked his ears back nervously, but when urged on, he stepped into the water. Nickering, he continued in until the water grazed his underside. Letter snorted and took in air, and then ducked his nose in the water, blowing bubbles. Caitlyn laughed at the colts antics, and urged him in farther.

Letter obliged, loving the water. Caitlyn and he were soaked, but he swam around the water like a little puppy dog, and occasionally stopping for a breath. This was actually a part of his training, belive it or not. Swimming, for a horse, was a great way to learn endurance and balance.

When Caitlyn decided it was time to continue, she clucked to the colt and he went out of the water. Grabbing some mane just in time, the colt shook out his far, letting water droplets fly everywhere. Reaching down, Caitlyn retrieved the saddle pad and placed it on the colts hindquarters, like a pack animal. She clucked to Letter and they went home after a nice trail ride, soaking wet.

[+ Spiritedbrumby +]

ooc: so far your doing an awesome job with him

[Caitlyn Morgan]

(ok...wow I am pissed ....I just typed a like 100 line post for you here, and it deleted it on the last sentence...could you forgive me if I just gave you a summary? he did really good, 3 miles of walk/trot for endurance, then 1/4 mile sprint...time was 16.23 seconds. if you cant forgive me, then I will re-write it, but....)
(also: I would love to be a show enterer for Letter. Price for me is 1/2 of whatever he wins. I pay show entry fee. I visit numerous sites so he will win many points with me, not just 50 here and 100 there. I showed my appy mare in so many shows on her first day, she started the day with 0 points, and ended with one champion title, 11 1st's, 4 2nds, 2 3rds, 1000+ pts and 5000+ $ in winnings. So....yeah...Also, after letter, I would love if you signed me on for another horse, same deal. Different training would be nice, but another racer would be ok. Thankies!)

[+ Spiritedbrumby +]

ooc: That's fine, Ive had huge posts deleted before. Why does it always happen on the long ones!! grr. I would love you to show Dead Letter! I was just getting tot hink how I am going to fit him in now that i've started school again. My only term there is that you put that he is owned by SB Also if you want to train another horse I would love you to! I have murder afire but he is racing, I have another eventer soon to be trained to so he might be more suited to you

[Caitlyn Morgan]

(cool....I will definitaly show him for you. The eventer would be nice, but w/e you have available. I just might not be able to get on everyday when school starts. I might just have to get one whenever I can.... is the price ok for you for me showing him? Also....if you could when training is finished, could you speed age him to 3 yrs old? he will qualify for many more races at age 3 than at age 2....)
Day 6
Caitlyn let herself into Letter's stall. For doing so good, she brought him a basket of treats. Today the colt had off, just for a nice grooming and a whole lot of healthy treats. Inside of the treats were actually a lot of vitemins and minerals, which would help him race better and become stronger. And some treats were just that, treats.

Caitlyn offered Letter the first of the healthy snacks, apple cookies. The colt sniffed them curiously, and then waggeled his upper lip and stole the cookies from her palm. Caitlyn giggled and then took a curry comb to his body. He had been groomed very good lately, so no hair came off, but lots of dirt and dust did.

Next, Caitlyn took a hard brush and smoothed out his shiney pelt, and the offered him a celery stalk. He examined this item curiously, and then backed away a step. Then, Caitlyn took a bite and held it in her mouth, and the next thing she knew the colt snatched it from her lips, chewing at the celery stalk furiously. Juice dripped down his muzzle, and Caitlyn grinned and wiped it off with a damp rag. Finishing the grooming, she gave the colt his last treat, a carrot, and left.


(gtg sorry)

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Day 7

Caitlyn entered the barn. Before finding Letter's stall, she grabbed his tack. Walking out, she called Letters name and saw him stick his crown over the edge of the stall. Hey boy! Caitlyn called. She clucked and whistled to him, and watched his ears perk up.

No sooner than Caitlyn had entered the stall than the colt had his nose in her pocket, sniffing out the carrot she had hidden. So much for waiting, boy!. Caitlyn thru on his saddle and saddle pad, then hooked his bridle on. Muttering to him as she lead him outside and mounted, she said, Oh, boy...I am so excited. 3 more days of speed work and endurance, and you will be ready to show! Caitlyn clucked the colt onto the track and turned him to the left. One mile of trotting was the warm up. Once that was done, Caitlyn turned the colt around and did one mile of racing. The first 3/4 of the mile, she kept the colt rated, but the last quarter she let him all out. He gave what she asked for, and more, completing that last 1/4 mile in 14.09 seconds.

Letter was breathing hard from his exertion and his coat was lined with sweat, but they werent done. Caitlyn wanted the colt to walk one more mile. The was the ultimate in endurance work, as far as racing went. It would teach the colt that no matter how tired he was, he had to keep giving until the rider told him he was good. Harsh, some people said, but this teqnique was used on some of the best race horses in the world, and they came out good. Beside, Caitlyn wasn't asking the colt for another 10 miles at a canter, just one mile at a walk.

When Caitlyn and Letter were done, she untacked him and gave the tack to a waiting groom. Leading the colt into the barn, she washed him off with icy cold water and removed the sweat markings, and then scrubbed his mane and tail with a vengance. Placing him in his stall for the night, she wrapped his legs in some light chilly ice packs and cloth, and rubbed linement underneath. It would help his muscles from swelling or becoming sore, plus, in this scorching heat, the ice packs would only help him stay cool.

Giving orders to a groom to remove the cloths and ice packs at 10 pm, 10 hours from now, she left the barn, happy with the days work.

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Caitlyn found Letter already tacked and ready to go. A groom was waiting, holding him impatently. Thanks! Caitlyn said to the groom, as he walked away. Picking up the lead lines, Caitlyn lead Letter to the track, his smooth bay coat glimmering in the sun and his large muscles already well developed beneath his pelt.

Sliding into the saddle, Caitlyn thought about what to do today. She decided to do the same thing as yesterday, which turned out wonderful. Asking for 3 miles of a walk/trot, the exercise had begun.

During the three miles, Caitlyn noticed that Letter was stumbling alot and tripping. She dismounted and went to the foot he kept missteping with. Listing up his hoove, she instantly removed a huge rock that was dug into his hoof. Muttering under her breath about the stupid groom, she mounted and they finished with no problems.

As a last portion, she had Letter gallop at a rated pace until the end, when she asked for all he had left. When they were done, he walked out a mile to cool off. Caitlyn noted that although he was sweaty, it wasn't nearly as bad as before. Dismounting, Caitlyn handed the colt to a different groom, and made sure he was ok before she left.

[Caitlyn Morgan]

Day Nine

Today, Caitlyn was going to work Letter hard. He needed one day of hard, honest to goodness work. Caitlyn walked into the barn, carrying his tack. She threw his saddle on and hooked up his bridle. Checking his hooves for stones, Caitlyn quickly mounted into his saddle.

Entering the race track, Caitlyn warmed the colt up for a one mile jog. Then, she asked him for an all out gallop. And not for a quarter mile, but for a whole mile. The colt reasponded eagerly, taking off. He loved to be run all out, but never had he been worked this long, and he didn't know what was coming.

Slowing down at the quarter mile post, he was answered with a smack on his rump. This was a hotspot for him, a place where he learned he would always slow down. But not today. Caitlyn urged him on.

By the half mile post, he was starting to show signs of tiredness, and a bit of sweat was on his neck. But Caitlyn told him to keep up this pace. Tomarrow, their last day together as trainer and horse, they would take it easy, but today he was going to work. And work he was. But the three quarter mile post, his coat was soaked and he was breathing hard. But his bay pistons kept pumping, keeping up the grueling pace.

Each time his hooves landed on the turf, his body heaved up again with a thud. Finally reaching the mile post, Caitlyn allowed the colt to slow. Willingly, he started to calm down. Foam was flaking his mouth and his chest, and his light bay coat was a smelly dark brown. Caitlyn walked him for two miles, making sure he was cooled down sufficiently before dismounting.

Washing him and puting him up personally, Caitlyn gave the colt a cup of treats in his food dish as a reward for the day. The dish contained carrots, celery, apple chunks, and some oats. He dove into the food now, enjoying every last bite. His chin was soaked with juices from the celery and apple, but he didn't care. He was recovering from his brutal ride, but it was what he needed. Rubbing some linement on his legs, Caitlyn left for the day....

[Caitrlyn Morgan]

(AARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!! I did a huge post for you yesterday and it deleted it!!!! AAAAHHHHHH!!! *hits computer*....*sigh*....ok...lets try this again.... Also, couple of things: I will be moving soon, so I will show Letter whenever I can when I am on, please dont assign me another horse until I ask, because I dont want to end up not doing it for a long time, and only 1 post per week cause of the moving and all. second, do you need ALL of his show records, like even after 3rd place and the show names and all? or just his placings? third....Eval is just going to be percentages...see below)

Day 10

Caitlyn put the colt on the hot walker first today for a warm up. 1 mile, and then she tacked him up. Deftly mounting the colt, She lead him to the track. They galloped for 2 miles at a rated gallop and then 1 more mile of an all out flat run. The colt was sweaty and foaming at the mouth when she slowed him, but he cooled quickly and was soon eager to go again...

Letting him out once more, Caitlyn recorded his speed for 1/2 of a mile at an all out gallop. 32 seconds even!, the starter called out to Caitlyn. She smiled happily and pat the colts neck fiercly. He was so good, and he really, truly loved what he did. Caitlyn couldnt ask for more...

Dismounting, Caitlyn handed the colt off to a waiting groom and sat at an empty desk in the office, going over the race scheduals...


(also...hehe, sorry....I am going to start him in some green races, and if it is ok, some halter classes. This way when his racing career is over, he will fall right into halter while you train him for something else, if you choose to)

Evaluation

Name: 8/10
Conformation/Looks: 9/10
Heritage: 9/10
Chances of Sucsess: 9/10
Training: 10/10

Total: 45/50 = A-, 90%

Comments: Great horse overall. Good heritage to work with and very flashy, loves his work so he will do good under pressure. Good Luck!

[+ Spiritedbrumby +]

Thank you so much for training him Couldn't have asked for a better job. You may enter him in halter and some endurance if you like though I ask you to really keep him on the racing side of things.