Alittle R&R Can't Hurt (Open)

[sam]

The day was offly warm today. It wasn't hot, but it was warm. Far too warm for the horses. It made me feel bad for the people that still put their horses though strong workouts. The poor horses can't take their coats off.

I had decided to trailer the Nut down to the beach for a small gallop along the beach then a cool down with the sea water. It was a good plan to me. The filly was already clipped where her blanket would but, but the day was still too hot if I galloped and breezed her like normal. A small cool down with the waves, not going past her knees, would do good for her. I would have fun trying to get the dried salt off her legs, but it would be worth it.

[Snowflake]

Dusk Runner && Vicky Wilson

A Little R&R Can't Hurt

ooc|: you are aware that it is winter, aren't you?

Dusk navigated the steep trail like an expert trail horse, sliding the final metre down to the sand. The trail had eroded away since I had last ridden on it, probably in the recent week of downpours we had. Now all it was was a steep dirt trail leading to a sandy hill down to the water.

She snorted and leaped forward onto the sand, which sank underneath her anyway. Easy, baby. I soothed, sitting easily to her jagged movement as she jogged unevenly, sinking in the sand, toward the firmer footing. It was a bit of a scary experience, I supposed. I never liked walking in sand that sunk like this did. It was exhausting - and when you tried to run, even more exhausting.

I glanced up the beach both ways, searching for other riders when Dusk splashed into a small wave playfully. So sand scares you, but crashing waves don't? I asked her with a grin. We headed up the beach, and around the corner where we came across another horse and rider, knee deep in the ocean.

I waved to the rider, careful to keep it slow and 'un-spooky', a friendly smiled plastered to my face. I instantly recognised the horse as The True Nut, a rare dun filly who had very nearly beaten Gorgeous George - a stunning turfie colt at GHS - in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf a few days ago.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

The chestnut two year old skittered uneasily along the trail, toe dancing wildly every few strides. I sat to his motion as best as I could, and eventually the colt settled down. His stride lengthened, though, as we were met by the sand surface. Instantly he examined the unfamiliar surroundings. I sighed deep within my head. Poor colt. He seriously needed to get out more before.

Positively Precious suddenly stopped. His ears were pricked, his stride hesitant. I shaded my eyes from the sun and looked ahead. There was a rare colored thoroughbred filly whom I recognized as The True Nut ahead of us, and a dark bay filly whom I recognized as Dusk Runner. A small grin broke out on my features, and then it disappeared. Cobalt definitely didn't want to go over and say hello. My leg coaxed him forward, and he took a hesitant step, then stopped again. My leg coaxed him on once more, only this time I never took it off. We slowly walked to the two fillies.

Cobalt's reaction was immediate. He got a close look at the fillies, and then tensed up. It was like he was waiting for a challenge from them. Eventually he calmed down, but he stopped his walk five feet away from the two fillies. My hand rubbed his neck reassuringly, and then I smiled at the two women riding the fillies. Hi Vicky, heya Sam.

[sam]

((XD I look at the seasonal info "Season: Winter
Breeding: No
Foaling: No"

XP Let's just pretend it is cause I can never RP summer when it's cold XD
Oh and Nut wasn't in the water yet XD Sam's being her must-be-organized-to-an-extent self and was planning on what she was going to do lol))

The waves lapped gently at her forelocks. She danced, uncomfortable with the feeling. I know girly, I said, my voice soothing. She snorted, trying to dip her head to the splashing water. You don't wanna drink it girl, I told her, but she insisted with another pull. I let the reins slip with a sigh. Her nostrils flared slightly as she sniffed, at least she was smart enough to smell the salt in the water before drinking it. Must be bad to be thirsty and the water around you is undrinkable. I felt somewhat bad for the filly, but shrugged it off. She had plenty to drink back at the trailer.

At the corner of my eye, I caught sight of two other equines and riders. At the same moment, Nut must have noticed them too. She spun on her hind, her legs stiff suddenly. My hand grabbed the reins with a firm grip. One of her front hooves splashed in the water, pawing wildly. After a few swipes, she must have decided she didn't like the water splashing onto her pelt. Her hoof now pawed higher in the air, not touching the lapping water as she continued.

Hi! I called back, with a small smile, though both hands stayed on the reins. I didn't want to chance the Nut trying to play tag with the two horses. I didn't recognize either equine, as I am usually fussing with my horses too much to notice others. Kind of a bad habit, I suppose. I did, however, know horse's names and how well they did. Just not what they look like.

With a gentle nudge from my legs, I pushed the buckskin closer, though with every step she tried to paw out, making it look like a clumsy Spanish walk.

[sam]

((...?

I saw you post on other threads so I'm assumin' you just forgot?))

[Snowflake]

ooc|: Sorry. I knew I had forgotten a thread..

Hey Amber. I said smiling when Amber greeted me. I didn't know the older woman well, but I knew her well enough to be on first name terms. We had met at a few racemeets in thre jockey room, and sometimes watched replays together while waiting for our next race.

I didn't know the other rider though. Her dun mare stood out next to Dusk and Amber's chestnut colt who I didn't remember the name of. I looked the filly over admiringly. A filly who could beat a colt, or even come close to it was rare. The True Nut looked well rested and ready to run again already.

Hi, I'm Vicky Wilson, and this is Dusk Runner. I introduced myself
and Dusk with a friendly smile as we drew to a half next to the other two horses and riders.

[sam]

((XDD Amber just had a memory blip! She knew who Nut was the first time you posted and now she's like "WHO THE HECK IS SHE?!" XDDD *Does that a lot*))

[Snowflake]

Oops lol. It's Vicky btw. I'll fix it. =D

[sam]

((Whoops! lol I saw Amber and automatically put Amber instead of Vicky XD))

[S u N f r O s t ~]

I laughed very quietly at Nutty's strange Spanish walk in the water. That filly was hilarious, right down to her coat coloring, but I knew she harbored immense speed that had nearly given her the Juvenile Turf. My gaze also shifted to Dusk Runner. The dark bay was coming along nicely and was a sure contender for future races. I wasn't so sure of the colt I rode, though. Cobalt's training had been neglected this season, and I was furiously training him in preparation of his three year old season, when he would emerge on the racing scene once more.

Currently, Cobalt was nervously champing on the bit, a sheen of sweat appearing on his smooth neck. He was very nervous around the other horses, but at least he listened to my commands now. As time went by he seemed to be relaxing, but I wanted to run him so that this steam got let out.

I threw a glance at Sam and Nutty and Vicky and Dusk. The two fillies could beat us, conditioned as they were throughout the year, but it would do Cobalt good to learn competitiveness. Would you two like a race? Cobalt needs to let out some steam.

[sam]

I pulled Nut up to a halt, a small distance away, though her pawing continued, though her hoof never touched the ground. Every now and then her leg would tire and she would switch legs. Depends, I said with a shrug. Today's too hot for the horses to do much runnin', I said. Poor fellas can't take off their coats.. I paused, musing over how to go over it. Just a short race would be fine with me and Nut, I said with a small nod.

One hand reached down and stroked the filly's golden neck. She completely ignored the praise and just switched her pawing leg again. I nearly laughed, this would certainly help her build some more muscle! If only I could teach her to do that on command. Heck! If only I could keep her attention long enough to even attempt to teach it!