Post by Snowflake on Feb 18, 2012 22:47:11 GMT -5
NATURALLY CHARISMATIC AND SILVERIANNA
The beach. What a perfect place to work with racehorses with minimal distractions and maximum impact. The horses moved at a leisurely trot, for now, but when we got to the beach, it was going to be boot camp. Silverianna's silver tail swished in front of us; I could hear the sounds of the ocean. Charis' ears perked in interest, as did Ianna's. Then the trail turned into a steep sandy hill, and Stella cued Ianna to canter, then the pair plunged down the dune down to the water.
I nudged Charis to do the same, taking my weight off her back and leaning back slightly so she could navigate the steep dune properly. A short bumpy canter/slide later, we broke into gallop and raced along the firm sand near the water to catch Stella and Silverianna. Charis did her best work when her competitor was ahead of her by several lengths. Her stride lengthened, her body stretched out, and she threw all her bodyweight each time she lunged forward.
Once we caught up, we continued to race to the end of the beach. Then, as we'd previously discussed, proceeded to work the pair up the dunes. Ultimate muscle and stamina building, was the reason for this workout. Charis was reluctant to race up the steep dune; it took a lot of urging and a little bit of Silverianna to get to the top. We sent the pair back into gallop on the soft sand, which quickly tired them. After a few minutes, when both fillies were breathing like they'd just finished a marathon, we slowed them up and headed for the sea.
Ianna crashed through the waves joyfully, and Charis followed her, but slightly hesitantly. The water was still cold, even though summer was just around the corner. We went deeper until the water touched their stomachs, then turned back and crashed out through the waves again. Ready to go, Stella urged Silverianna back up the dune to the trail. The grey filly, forever game, did as asked and galloped up the sand hill back to the trail. Charis followed, keeping up with Ianna easily, and we headed home.
