taste>the.dust

[Morgan]

HS INCRIMINATE

"cuz that's all your gonna get when you race me"[/center]

It was pretty much a normal day at Riverwood Acres. The sun was shining, the pastures dotted with grazing horses. A few grooms began to take horses out for rides and keep them happy and healthy, while others kept their stalls clean. A lot of the stalls at Riverwood Acres were empty, most of the horses had been sold, or gone to another barn where they were offered for sale. With the new economy and the pressure of more horses building on, Morgan was forced to sell more than half of her horses, while retiring nearly the rest. Only four racehorses remained, while about six yearlings and weanlings awaited their time to race. Morgan worked with her best effort to keep her small amount of horses in top condition and would need every helping hand she got.

Bella leaned against the fence across the small grass aisle as she watched Criminal try and bite the fly nagging his ear. He finally gave up and flicked his ear, losing the fly in a second. Bella laughed as Criminal showed his teeth in a horsey smile. Bella walked over to the gate, grabbing his halter. She was glad he was one of the few horses that didn't need a chain over his nose. He nickered, suddenly snapped out of his little dreams and trotted over to her, pushing his boxy like head against her, shoving her back. "Knock it off!" Bella laughed, quickly looping his halter over his ears and opening the gate. "C'mon dude, you need to focus," she said scratching his bronze neck, but he only tossed his head in disagreement, having fun was the only thing he knew.

Morgan leaned against the white rail as she watched Bella interact with Criminal. The two were best buds and surprisingly the match had gone well. Morgan wasn't expecting much from Bella, because of Raven being sold. Raven and Bella were probably the most closely bonded horse and human she'd ever seen, but Morgan had to think businesslike. Raven did well in his first race, winning as a maiden, but his second race didn't end as well. Morgan knew selling him would break Bella's heart, so she kept him longer. But when preparing him for a race, Raven had injured his leg just enough to be shut out from racing. Morgan was forced to sell him along with the other racehorses. Bella was incredibly sad and didn't show up for a while. Morgan worked hard to find a good horse that would match with her, and decided her new colt, Criminal would be an ok match. She hadn't expected them to have as great as a bond as Bella had with Raven, but it definitely going better than she originally thought.

Bella hoisted herself up onto Criminal's back, settling into the small saddle. Today wasn't going to be a race-like workout out, more of an endurance day, to keep him good a longer races. They were probably just going to trot a lot of laps and then canter a few more. Bella could feel Criminal's mind clearing as he began to toss his head against the reins. His "dozey out of it" phase was completely gone as he set a steely look on the track ahead of him. Bella patted his already glossy neck and grabbed onto some mane, knowing he would probably explode the second she touched her heels to his sides. Morgan gave a thumbs up from the railing as Bella leaned forward, nudging him gently in the sides. Of course he jumped, lunging forwards pulling furiously at the reins and gnawing at the bit, but Bella held him back, keeping his head under control and calming him down. "Chill bub, we're just trotting and cantering today," she said softly, trying to soothe him. Eventually he calmed down, settling into a nice trot. Bella sat back in the saddle, glad to have long stirrups as she posted.

After about two laps, Bella could feel the soreness already in her legs. Criminal may have a nice trot in half seat, but when it comes to sitting trot or posting for nearly a mile, his trot begins to feel like you're bouncing on a rock. Bella pulled him back to a walk as they reached Morgan. "Mind if I take a break? I can't feel my butt," she says while laughing. Morgan laughed with her, "Absolutely," she answered. Criminal walked up to her sniffing her pockets for treats, but Morgan didn't give him one. "Not yet boy," she said rubbing the star on his forehead. Bella fell on his neck, staring out as Xal and Taylor cantered lightly next to the rail. Bella always marveled at the way Xal moved. She was like a feather, light and would go with the wind anytime. When Xal would become retired, Bella decided she'd recommend Xal to become a dressage horse, she looked perfect for it.

Waking up from looking at the dark bay filly, she sat up and stretched. "Okay, let's go out again," she said while yawning. Morgan nodded in agreement. Bella turned Criminal around and brought him to the inside rail. Criminal began to get a little tense under her, so she reached down and scratched his neck. Then she asked for a light canter. He didn't bolt as much as before, but still held a lot of power as he galloped straight ahead. Bella was able to get him under control a lot faster and kept him at a nice canter, glad to be in a half seat. For a while she just listened to his hooves hitting the earth, listening as the dirt hit the ground, as his nostrils brought in more air. She let his mane tickle her nose as she began to drift into lala land, just happy to be with a horse she loved.

They went for another three laps around the track. By now Criminal's coat was glowing as white streaks crossed his sharp features. His nostrils were flared pink and he was already drooling as he chewed on his bit with boredom. Bella reached down to pat his damp neck as they headed over to Morgan. Morgan helped get all of his tack off except for his bridle as a groom came over to help hose him down. He happily accepted all the attention, and kept nudging at Morgan for a few treats. Morgan finally gave him some and he happily chewed it, not giving a care in the world that he was drooling treats out of his mouth, with more on the ground than in his mouth. They all laughed and Bella led the young colt back inside for a long and restful day.

words;; 1157

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