Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2012 12:43:41 GMT -5
TERROR SMILE
WITH HAILEY LEVINE
It had been just over 12 weeks since Smiles had suffered a hairline fracture in the Breeder's Cup. During that period the mare had seemingly became depressed. She had been on stall rest that whole time which was big move for her. She was used to being raced every other week and worked almost every day. It was obvious how much she missed the track. Hailey would feel horrible when she had to retire the mare to breeding shed, but it would come one day.
The vet had come and checked Smiles yesterday. She wasn't lame and her leg wasn't hot. He had also checked her recent x-ray over before giving her the okay to go ahead and start working towards racing. Hailey was ecstatic with the news, or at least she was the happiest she had been in the past months. Since the farm was having such a hard time money wise, Hailey had trouble being positive as of late.
Instead of keeping the mare at the stable, Hailey decided to trailer her down to the main track to get training. Here, she would be happier. Hailey was sure of it. Just the sight of the track would lift the mare's spirits. Cherokee, the stable's pony horse, was brought along with Smiles so that Hailey could jog her without much weight on her back. After over three months of stall rest, she needed to get back into the shape of a racehorse. She would shape up quick, like she used to be, though.
Hailey pulled Smiles out of her stall after saddling Cherokee. She decided to take it easy and saddle her slowly. Smiles who didn't realize what was happening at first watched her with curiosity. Was she really going to be ridden after all this time? After Hailey had gotten the girth tightened, Smiles began acting up like old times, dancing in the cross ties and becoming a royal pain to saddle. It was a good sign to have the mare begin her old ways. Hailey decided not to put her bridle on however, not wanting her to stress her leg by her attitude when it came to saddling. Hailey checked her leg before wrapping both forelegs; her leg was still cool. Hailey smiled and led her out to where she had tied Cherokee to wait.
Once Hailey had mounted Cherokee, they headed toward the main track, Smiles' lead shank in hand. The mare seemed almost dazed with shock of being at a track. Her eyes scanned the horses that flew past on the rail. Hailey could feel the tension at the end of of the lead shank as they walked down the backstretch; Smiles wanted to run, to race, to chase down any horse hat flew past her. At one time she even let out a piercing cry to a passing horse. No one noticed that it was Terror Smile walking alongside the chestnut gelding. Hailey liked it better that way.
They walked the perimeter of the main track before they entered the turf track. As soon as Smiles stepped on the grass, she tried to bolt away from Hailey's hold. When she found that she couldn't get more than six feet away from her trainer, she resigned to trotting at the gelding's side. Hailey stopped her on the turn to watch the passing horses. These were the horses who were going to be racing Smiles this year. The grey mare let out another loud nicker. Hailey smiled and reached over to scratch behind her ear. The mare tossed her head, but her eyes did not leave the rail where she wanted so badly to run.
If Smiles was still cool after today, Hailey decided that she would have Aiden trot her on the turf in a couple of days. Hailey's intentions were to keep it slow. Smiles had other ideas, wanting to go at her own, steaming pace. It was a good sign that she was ready to win again. Aiden would get an idea once they started breezes. He knew how she ran before and he would know how she would run after. Hailey was also planning to work her with Sillenia once they started to really get working. She hadn't mentioned it to Amber Black or any of the SOPS crew yet, but she was almost sure they wouldn't object. If they did, it meant they feared Smiles; something Hailey wouldn't mind.
After they stood there for a few minutes, watching the horses run past, Hailey lead them back off the track. Once they got to the opening in the turf track, Smiles stopped dead in her tracks though. Hailey kissed to her and tried to urge her forward but Smiles would not move. Someone who was on their pony helped Hailey by waving their rein at Smiles. The mare wasn't expecting this and stepped forward in surprise. Hailey took this opportunity, leading her forward and off the main track. Smiles seemed irritated that she had been taken off the track.
Once Hailey had dismounted and tied Cherokee back up, she stopped before leading Smiles off to be unsaddled. The tall grey mare was staring with large and intent eyes at the track. Her ears were perked forward and she wasn't paying attention to anything but they racetrack. Hailey admired her for a moment before reaching up and stroking her nose. "Don't worry... You'll be back out there tomorrow." She turned and waited for Smiles to turn and follow her back to her stall. Hailey understood her weariness to leave the track. It was her home, and the last time she was on it, she had broken down and hadn't seen it for months. Hailey wouldn't let than happen to her again.
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