Word Count → 372 :: Raze hasn't riden a horse since she was a wee child.
Those who knew the cowboy only in passing might have been surprised that he’d offered the free riding lesson to a stranger. He was an intimidating figure to those far from him, tough and grumpy and sparing with his words, but when it came down to true heart, Wayne was a generous soul. He was gentle with his horses and those who needed gentleness, and this timidly quiet girl was deserving of warmth. He grinned encouragingly as she approached the horse and watched carefully as she mounted Fern, who kept still and well-behaved.
“Looks like you have some experience,” the man remarked, noting that she hadn’t been clumsy in getting on the mare. He came to the horse’s side, reaching for the reins and offering them to the young woman, guiding them so they would rest properly in her hand. They were tied in the Western style, as he’d learned to ride, though he knew he might have to explain other techniques in case she hopped on a differently trained animal.
“Okay. Steerin’.” Wayne smiled at her again. “Fern is trained so when she feels the reins on the left side of her neck, she turns away from the pressure—right.” He demonstrated, pushing Bambi’s hand so that she was pulling the reins right, causing them to fall on the left side of her neck. “You could also tug the right side, so she feels it in her mouth; it’s easiest to do it two-handed that way.” He frowned then reached back to scratch his neck. “Sorry if this is all confusin’ to ya… Not used to havin’ students. But so long as the reins are goin’ in the direction you want to, Fern’ll figure it out.”
He took a breath. “When you want her to move, squeeze with your legs or give her a little kick in the flanks—light now, she don’t need much more ’n that. And pull back on the reins to stop, light again.” He knew that the large mare could handle some roughness and would be forgiving to a new rider, but others might be more affected by such accidental abuse.
“So… Whenever you’re ready,” Wayne finished awkwardly, hoping that he hadn’t left out anything important.
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