Taming Pride [closed]

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The colt was a difficult one. Stubborn, highly strung and difficult to handle. To him, every human was an enemy and he made sure it was known to all around him. Every time someone approached him he made sure to leave them with something to remember them by. As such, a new rule had been passed in the stable. No one was allowed to handle the colt without expressed permission, and that permission was only going to be given to experienced handlers. But passing the rule had not been enough, newcomers had already pushed their luck with the colt only to quit within days and so they'd had to put a sign beside the colt's stable, warning of his bad habits.

They were habits which would need to be monitored. Certainly, some of the best race horses had a bad attitude like this but it was not a desirable thing for those who had to handle the creatures. After all, the colt was 16hh of muscle and power. He knew his size, he knew his strength, and he was constantly pushing because deep down he knew no one could stop him if he didn't want to stop. But as his bad behaviour seemed to be his main down side, those at Silver Stride Stables could not complain.

The two year old had not been raced yet this year. They had been giving him time, hoping he would mature a little, but it seemed the longer he was in the stable and not on the track the worse his temper had become and so a decision had been made. The colt would be entered in the next suitable race and, in order for him to be successful, they would begin working him as of now. The meeting had taken an hour or so as they discussed the colt and how they might decide who would ride him when Matthias Lanning, the trainer, came up with a plan.

Striding across the yard he walked to the colt's stable and stood back away from the door, so as not to be within range of the colt. He was fearless, his reserve calm as he watched the colt for several moments. There eyes locked, a war seemed to take place between there minds, and when Matthias stepped forwards to grab the head collar the colt went to bite him. Matt jerked the colt's head up and lead him out of the stall, though he had to struggle as the colt was reluctant to do as the human wished and he was still certain that he could win this, if only he bided his time.

The plan was simple enough, if it worked. They would see which of the two jockeys the colt reacted better to. Matthias already had his suspicions though. The colt being a colt would see Jacob as competition, for all males were competition and so they would have a great clash of wills. Alexia, on the other hand, was female and her gentle touch might be exactly what the colt needed. But, of course, Matthias did not like to make assumptions of the bay beast and so the plan would go ahead. Standing in the centre of the yard he pulled the reluctant colt to a halt, attached a lead rein to the halter and tied him to a wooden beam. He then proceeded to move away quickly, though the colt still managed to nip at his shoulder.

"Jacob, you go first. Be careful." the red-haired jockey's silver eyes lit up and he nodded to his friend as he stepped forwards. He approached the horse slowly, carefully. He watched the horses body for any sign of aggression and no sooner had he got within distance of the colt than he struck out. Jacob stepped back quickly and shook his head. The colt was not going to let him near willingly.

"Ok, Alexia. Your turn." The blonde-haired woman smiled at Matthias and pushed a strand of hair from her face. For a moment, she stood and watched the colt and then she took a single step toward him. "That's it, Perry, you're ok." she told the colt softly. The bay's ears folded back but he didn't move. Instead, he watched the human female closely, judging her. Encouraged, Alexia moved closer to the colt, again speaking in that soft voice. She did this several times and, though he shied away from her a little, she soon came close enough to the colt to run her fingers softly down his neck.

"The decision is made. Alexia, Perry is your ride." Matt said.

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For Alexia, the news could not have been better. To her, this fiery colt was a gem and she had a great deal of respect for him. OK, so he was temperamental but which male was not? She herself had seen stallions act much worse than this colt and she knew it was just the testosterone and adrenaline which ran through his system. He couldn't help that his biological make-up made him a stubborn creature, though they could probably work to make him a little easier to handle. It would take time, patience, but if he was at least tame enough to lead it would be improvement.

Casting a grin across as Jacob she stroked the dark bay's neck softly, watching as he flinched and fidgeted. Anyone would have thought he was abused with that nervous twitch but she knew that he had not. He was just unsure of people and it was something that they would have to work on slowly. Seaking softly, she untied the lead rope and began to lead him toward a small paddock where he would be able to let off some steam while she watched. After all, they couldn't let him out unless someone was watching. He just ran too much, too hard, and she feared that he would injure himself. Not to mention that if she was there, nearby, without posing any kind of threat he may come to welcome her company rather than hate her.

As soon as he was released the colt bolted, as predicted. His long, muscular legs moved beneath him as quick as they would carry him while he flew across the turf paddock. First one way, then the other and back again. A neverending circle for as long as he was running he was happy. Alexia smiled slightly as she watched him. It really was a joy to see the colt enjoy himself, he didn't seem to do it often. In the stable all he wanted was freedom. He kicked up a fuss and hated those who put him in for the night. He didn't understand it was for his own good.

For a while, Alexia sat on the fence watching him in silence until Jacob came to her side. "He's spirited." her red-haired friend commented and she nodded. "Yes, all he wants to do is run, and look at that speed. He's amazing" Admiration leaked into her voice and Jacob laughed. "Yes, as soon as he's tame enough to handle he'll be a charm." Alexia nodded and slipped off of the fence, walking across the field. Here came the hard part - catching a horse that didn't want to stop was not easy. Several times she tried to catch the headcollar of the horse only to miss before she managed to catch it, pulling the colt back. He pulled away from her, charged toward her and tried to make her let go but seeing there was no way he could win he eventually gave up and allowed the lead rein to be attached.

"That's a boy." she toldhim as she led him out of the paddock and back into his stable where he snorted, disgruntled. "I'll see you tomorrow, when we'll start training properly."

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The following morning, bright and early, Alexia walked out of the house and into the yard, stretching. Her blue eyes gleamed brightly as she walked slowly, obviously having not been up long. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy pony-tail and she wore jodphurs, a top, body armous and riding boots. A helmet was nestled beneath her arm, the hand clutched around the riding crop that she did not expect to have to use. A yawn escaped her as she walked into the tack room, placing her kit down on a table as she gazed around slowly. It was going to be a long, hard day and she knew she had to stay on her toes. Especially right now, when she would be dealing with Perry.

Perry certainly needed taming. He was too difficult for his own good and she just did not see how he could continue behaving the way he was. So there might have been reasons, if they could at least tame him slightly she would be happy. The previous day hadbeen progress. She'd been able to stand, stroking him without being attacked. So he might have been nervous, and he might still have gone for the boys, but it was improvement. Improvement upon which she intened to build.

First, however, she had a perilous job - putting tack on the unruly colt. She collected his bride, saddle and saddle pad and walked out of the tack room and back into the yard. The early morning sun shone into her eyes, forcing her to squint, and she was sure she could hear one of the horses kicking up a fuss somewhere. Probably Aztec, knowing him. He was always impatient, always thought he should be first. But not oday, today Alexia would be working Perry first.

Placing the saddle onto the wooden beam that erry had been secured to the other day she walked to Perry's door, looking him square in the eye before opening the door. The colt lunged in a bid to escape but the managed to wrestle the troublesome youngster back into his stall, shaking her head. "You'll have tolearn one day, Perry." she told him. "You cannot always get your own way." She was sure that if looks could kill the look that the clt was giving her at that moment would have caused her to drop dead, but he would learn. Eventually, he would learn. She grabbed his head collar and pulled his head down in order to place the bit in his reluctant mouth and fasten the bridle in place before removing the head collar. She took the reins and tied them so that he could not cause trouble and then walked back across the yard.

OK, so she had got through the first stage unscathed, but could she manage it again? After all, saddling him was likely to be even more difficult. She looked around and sighed, the others still hadn't arrived so she really would have to tackle this alone. Cracking her fingers, therefore, she picked up the saddle and walked across to the stable where she placed the saddle on the door. The colt stood there, staring at her. There was a malicious look in his eyes that didn't really sit well and yet at the same time she knew she had to do this. Perry would learn, even if she got injured in the process.

As she opened the stable door the colt backed away, half-rearing as he tried to get away from her. He knew what was coming and he didn't like it and so he tried every trick in the book. Alexia struggled with the colt for a while and then stood back, breathing heavily. She hadn't managed to saddle him yet, and he was looking somewhat pleased with himself. But she could not give up, she hasd to show him who was boss and how things worked around here and so she tried again.

Saddling him was difficult. She managed it eventually, however not without attaining a few bites from the vicious colt. It hurt like hell, but she didn't let on she was bothered. Instead, she had just continued and eventually she had come out on top. The colt relaxed and Alexia shook her head. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" she asked the colt who, obviously, gave no reply. Still, at least he was ready now and she was sure he would like what was coming shortly.

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To start with the colt was as difficult as ever to lead. He really was doing his best to knock her flying, but it wasn't working. It nearly worked, several times, but Alexia was determined not to show weakness to the stubborn colt. Oh yes, she could be stubborn to and if ittook showing him that his games would get him nowhere to treat his bad behaviour then that was exactly what she would do. After all, if she let him win even once then she would lose time and time again. He would learn tricks, he would find ways to completely humiliate her, and she was not going to allow it. This colt would learn to handle well, no matter what it took.

However, his behaviour soon changed. Upon seeing the track his head raised, his ears perked, and he became focsed. Instead of trying to drag Alexia around he fell to her side, almost placid, and walked beside her as she would like. To reward him, she took a sugar cube from her pocket and fed it to the colt. Rewading good behaviour, after all, would encourage those behaviours. In fact, the rest of the walk down to the track was actually pleasant. The colt behaved, he did not fight her. Instead his eyes remained fixed on his destination with determination. This was more like it, and she knew the colt could run. Oh yes, he could run, and this was likely to be an amazing moment.

Reaching the track she ran her hand down the colt's sleek neck and mounted him, urging him forward. Thecolt gated without an issue and stood, waiting patiently for the gates to open. This was where he shone, this was where he felt he belonged, and he was determined to show his worth. Certainly, Alexia could feel the excitement of the colt. It radiated from him, through the saddle and into her. Running was what this colt was born to do and run he would. Soon they would be flying, she stroked his neck again as she shortened the reins, getting ready to ride. "Here goes nothing." she told the colt.

The gates opened and the colt flew from them, his break amazing. He pulled into the rail and found his gait quickly and they were off. It was obvious this colt was built for speed. The scenery flew past them, his long stride created a fast beat as they moved down the straight. Alexia didn't encourage him, did not hold him back. Instead, she allowed the clt to run and run he certainly did. A sweat began to form on the colt's neck and only when they reached the final two furlongs did she push him. He responded well. There was no need for the crop in her hand, no need for any sort of aggression. One move and the colt put the last of his effort into it. Flying past the post she allowed the colt to slow down in his own time and then warmed him down. He was breathing heavily, sweat plastered his colt. It was time to get him back to the yard and cleaned down before she moved onto her other responsibilities, knowing that training with Perry would resume the next day.