Breaking Her In
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Hadley

Out of character text here.

Hadley headed out to the paddock, Blessing behind him. Today he’d arranged to meet up with Wayne, so he could make some progress in training her. It was more difficult than one might think, as Blessing was far more stubborn than one would think from her docile manner. Currently she was nuzzling against him as he walked through, tail swishing softly. Inside he slipped on the hackamore bridle, patting her on the nose softly. She didn’t have a saddle on, since she’d managed to nearly trample him the last time he’d put one on. Spotting the cowboy Hadley smiled. “Hey.” This couldn’t be too difficult. All they needed was to get her to accept him being on her back, and let him steer.


The weary-looking mongrel smiled back at the Tronco, walking over to the mare and inspecting her with a cowboy’s eye. “Pretty horse,” he grunted to Hadley, and offered a hand so that she could catch his scent. Once introductions were over, he glanced back at the other male. “So, what d’we have t’ work with? What’s she already know?


Blessing snorted, snuffling over the cowboy’s hand. Her tail was a short bob, but the bold brown pattern over her body was beautiful. Lifting his hand Hadley petted him softly, smiling at him. Once they were done getting acquainted Hadley thought over what to say with care. “She doesn’t like opening her mouth, so I just use the bridle without a bit in it. When I’m on the ground she does whatever I want her to do, and she’s always gentle. As soon as I try to get on her back though...” Hadley trailed off, resuming stroking the affectionate mare. She really was a dream to handle, even carrying things for him when he needed her to. “I would like to be able to ride her.” It was an odd feeling, thinking that so much of it laid in the simple fact that he knew only the basics of riding that Wayne himself had taught him. He could ride an obedient horse simply enough, but after that he didn’t have a clue what to do, or how to get one to listen.


Wayne nodded at the man’s explanation then inspected the hackamore critically. “Sometimes a trouble horse needs a bit,” he warned, “but we’ll see what we can do without one.” He gestured for Hadley to wait a moment then walked off to grab a simple blanket, one used to rest between the horse’s back and the saddle itself. “Maybe she don’t like pressure on her back?” he suggested, coming over and carefully draping the thing across Blessing. “What about directions? Does she go where ya want her to?


Hadley’s ears flattened slightly at his warning. Really it wasn’t Blessing’s fault. He just had no idea how to get the bit into her mouth. He’d tried shoving it in, but the more she fault the less he felt like actually going through with it, and backed off. “She carries things for me.” True to form the mare stood perfectly still with the blanket draped over her back, blowing softly in Wayne’s face. “She goes where I want her to when I’m standing at her side leading her.” It was only once he was on her back that the problems started, as if she had no idea what he was doing there, or how to accept it. A horse that was broke for carrying objects, but she wasn’t broke for being ridden.


The Labrador mix grunted again, heading off once more and returning with a saddle. “Is she fine with the saddle? It’s not until you get on?


She doesn’t like it when I tighten the girth around her belly. It seems to be uncomfortable for her. I’ve tried bareback though, and that’s when she really starts fighting. She doesn’t want me on her.” Shrugging helplessly he looked to his mare. She seemed perfectly content with them both talking around her, lowering her head occasionally to grab some grass while she waited to be asked to perform a task.


Wayne nodded. He moved carefully to her side and set the saddle on her back, letting it slide back from her withers into place. Muttering quiet nonsense to keep her calm, he cinched the saddle but kept it loose, waiting to see Blessing’s reaction; the girth wasn’t very tight against her belly, but it was in contact. Blessing snorted slightly in discomfort, but otherwise kept still, eyes widening slightly.


Good girl,” Wayne praised calmly, and gave Hadley a glance. “It’d prob’ly be best t’ lead her around with the girth loose,” he suggested, “till she gets used to it. Once she calms down, we can tighten it more, an’ then we’ll see.” He motioned for Hadley to go ahead and walk with her.


Hadley nodded his head, stroking Blessing’s mane. Grasping the lead he moved forwards, the large draft horse obediently following after him. She didn’t seem completely comfortable this time, her weight occasionally shifting uneasily with the saddle. It didn’t help that the saddle moved around with how loose it was. At least it wasn’t about to slide around and end up upside down on her belly. He tried talking to her, chatting away about how nice it was to be able to walk around with her and enjoying the time together. Every once in awhile she let out a snort, but he kept up his pace. Blessing settled down after about a half hour of this exercise, forgetting the movement of the saddle as she calmly plodded along. Nervously Hadley looked over to Wayne, wondering if it was time to move on.


The cowboy watched their progress, and returned the scarred canine’s glance with a rare smile. “C’mere, bud,” he said, and put a hand on his hip when they came closer. “Part o’ the problem is that your nerves are becomin’ her nerves,” he told him, gruff voice gentle. “She’ll sense that you ain’t totally comfortable with this, an’ she’ll pick up on it. Just take deep breaths, relax, talk to her if it helps ya.” He patted the man on the shoulder then approached Blessing, working to tighten it another hole and seeing how she responded before sending them off for another walk.


Hadley took a deep breath, tensing as soon as he was told that he was part of the problem. It was the complete opposite of what he needed to do, and had to force himself to relax. Breathing deeply he pushed the nervousness away, wanting Blessing to succeed. Hopefully he’d be able to train Belle for when Amatha was ready to ride. The first step would be getting his own horse to accept him. Time rolled by, slowly tightening up the girth. It fell into a rhythm as time rolled past, both Hadley and Blessing relaxed as it slowly tightened to the point where it could be used to ride. Proud of the success he smiled widely over at Wayne. “She’s accepted it.


Wayne grinned back, reaching up to tip his hat. “Good job, both of ya.” He approached the horse then loosened the stirrups, which had been drawn up and out of the way while they were just testing Blessing with the saddle. “All right,” the wolfdog said, and hesitated. “D’you want me to try ridin’ her first? I’ve been thrown off plenty o’ horses, so it ain’t a big deal.” His joke fell flat, but he wasn’t sure if Hadley would want to try this next step himself or let the cowboy handle it.


Hadley tilted his head, looking at Blessing. The mare looked perfectly content with how she was. The scarred male knew it would change the instant he tried to get aboard however. Shaking his head he stepped back. “You’d probably be better at calming her down.


The cowboy nodded. “Here goes nothin’,” he grumbled, and adjusted his hat before coming over. He placed his hands in the stirrups first, pushing down so that Blessing could get used to the weight; an ear tilted back uncertainly, but she didn’t respond. Finally Wayne stuck a foot into the stirrup, swinging his other leg over and making a grab for the reins.


The mare moved underneath him, and Wayne held on tightly as she started to step to the side, snorting with faint distress, but she stopped her anxious prancing after a while. “No buckin’, at least,” the cowboy called to Hadley, but the moment he set his heels into her flanks she started to step backwards, turning in a quick circle against his wishes. The dog growled under his breath, pulling tighter on the reins to get her to turn back, and the battle of wills began.


Hadley backed up, the large hybrid watching as Blessing began to fuss. She was not enjoying the cowboy attempting to ride her. She only tolerated Hadley as much as she did because he couldn’t figure out how to try to force her to listen. The large mare pranced back and forth, doing all she could to stop Wayne from settling in. The yellow male knew what he was doing though, and settled right down on her back. With that past Blessing appeared to give up, but there was more to come. Hadley closed his eyes, unable to watch as Blessing did everything from circling to backing up to breaking into a gallop and pausing to eat. Sometimes she refused to respond at all, only reacting when Wayne really kicked her.


Blessing was snorting, a sheen of sweat covering her body when she finally began to listen, nudging forwards at Wayne’s directions. Even then she still tossed her head, choosing to move at her own pace. Hadley hadn’t been able to bear watching, feeling terrible at asking Wayne to help tame his dominant mare and watching her suffer through the act. At least, it sure looked like she was suffering. Her large frame was twitching all over, listening to Wayne with great reluctance. At least it was better than her not listening at all. “Wayne? Is she good?


She ain’t happy,” Wayne called back, “but she ain’t hurtin’. She’ll just need t’ learn who the boss is. Horses are herd animals, too; like in a pack, they learn who the leader is.” He reached down to pat the mare’s neck, talking gently to her and praising her as she walked forward at his bidding. “Once she learns we won’t take disobedience from her, and once she learns she’ll get praise when she listens, it shouldn’t be hard.” He turned her gently, and she obeyed though she refused to go faster than a walk.


Hadley nodded his head, relief on his face. “Good to hear.” Becoming Blessing’s leader would be difficult, since he wasn’t one to give orders to anyone, but if it meant that he’d be able to ride her he would do it. Smiling he watched Wayne ride Blessing around a bit more before the cowboy decided they were through. Walking up he took his mare back, holding onto the tired horse as Wayne slipped down. Murmuring softly he patted her tired body, grinning over at Wayne. “Thanks.” He moved over, slipping the saddle off. Pausing he glanced over at Wayne. “Will we do this again tomorrow?


Wayne grinned, stretching sore muscles and cracking his back. “Sure thing,” he replied, handing the reins to the Tronco. “Maybe in a few days you’ll be the one ridin’ her.” He gave the man a quick pat on the back then adjusted his hat, walking back off to the Courthouse to rest.


That would be a pretty nice feeling, being able to mount his own horse and ride her. A wide grin covered his face as he lead her off to the stables. He took his time washing her down, gently rubbing at her body. She’d earned the break. Grabbing an apple he held it out for her to eat, Blessing accepting it as her due as she turned back into the stall and settled in. “See you tomorrow Blessing.

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