angel from the devil ;; [ali!]

[poppies]

It had been about a week and a half since Juniper had a knot in her back. Also three days ago her strained tendon had worked out nicely. The vet had said she could be ridden on some flat work but no jumping over anything higher than a caveletti or galloping. So far Shawna had been taking Rocky our for his morning gallops through the woods and for a few barrel practices.

Holding the mare she took off the bright pink cast, for precaution it had to go on while she was in her stall so she didn't hurt herself. Grabbing a set of chilled splint boots she stroked the mare's neck. The set of dark and pale pink splint boots were pretty stupid and had no real reason but the judges loved them when she went into her jumping classes. In her hunter classes she looked better with navy blue instead and in her jumpers it was pinkapalooza!

Settling the neon pink saddle pad on the mare's back she fitted her with an extra pad she stroked the mare's neck and then put on the chestnut saddle. Buckling the girth she fit it through the girth holder and also the small strap. Walking to the other side she finished quickly. She had scheduled a short flat work lesson and possibly over small jumps with the mare. Maybe she could get her to slow her pace all though it was fun to ride her.

Slidding the martingale through the girth she buckled the rest of the girth and scratched her nose. Taking off her halter Juniper yawned. Slipping the bit into her mouth, Shawna stroked her neck. Untrapping the reins she slipped both reins through the rings of the running martingale. Buckling the figure eight noseband she remembered just how much Morgan was in the mare. That was probably why she had a short pace.

Pulling the stirrups down she put on a set of ears that were a faded pink just like her polo boots and led her into the ring. "Good girl. We're gonna take it easy today." Several cavalettis were leaning on the side of the arena. Stepping onto the mounting block she stuck her foot into the stirrup and sat deeply into the saddle. "At a girl. Don't move."

At that the mare tossed her head and took a step forward. Sitting more deeper into the saddle she fixed the mare's girth and felt a whisker on her leg. Juniper squealed as Shawna tightened each side by one. "There we go." Holding the reins loosely and a bit high with one hand the two set off at a steady walk. Her short pony stride kicked in and she nickered a few times before looking at the arena entrance.

Tapping her with her heels the mare burst into a walking paced canter, in place. Pulling her back a little bit the mare settled back into a walk and then Shawna reined her into a ten meter circle in both directions. Holding the reins with one rein like a western person does in reining she looked funny.

Dressed in her black helmet, a pair of black riding gloves, a nice blue tee-shirt and a pair of tan riding pants. Her tall boots in place and she looked perfect. So did Juniper, her nose almost touching her chest and Shawna had her on a loose rein. Chewing at the bit the mare looked insane.

[spiritlover]

With the windows rolled down, and the music turned up, Abbie rounded the corner onto the gravel drive that led to Pinewood Stables. This was her first time back here as an instructor since she found out about the cancer. For the last few months, she had been traveling around the country, visiting all the top cancer treatment centers hoping to find that it was not going to be fatal. But, in the end, when she was told it would eventually be terminal, she had given up and come back home. And, she was determined to make the last few years of her life the best she had ever had.

So, as the gravel crunched under her white, Ford F-250's wheels, she looked towards the barn where her new horse would soon be, and where she was planning to spend the majority of her time left. Now, she pulled into a parking spot, and put on the parking brakes. Then, after turning off the radio and rolling the windows back up, she turned the ignition off and opened the door.

As she stepped into the sun, many familiar and comforting scents hit her nose all at once. The smell of hay and leather. Of grain and horses. Of everything her life consisted of. Pausing for a moment, Abbie allowed herself to be absorbed in the comfort and familiarness. And, for that sweet minute, she forgot everything but horses. There was no cancer, no pain, no suffering. And, only for that moment, did she not see the end. She only saw a long and prosperous life unfolding in front of her. But, as soon as she let her eyes open, and her brain come back to reality, it all came back in a wave of hurt.

Shaking her head as though it would get rid of all the facts, she turned on her heel, and almost jogged into the barn. As she walked though, she could see the stall where her old horse had once been. Thinking of him, a lup formed in her throat, and she turned and walked out to the practice rings, where the first of her new students would be already waiting. And, when she got to the ring, and let herself in, she could see that she was right, for there, on the other end was a girl, her horse, and lots of pink.

Walking through the arena to the center was almost fun considering she had not done this for almost a year now. As she got there she smiled, and called out to her student. "Hello. Im guessing you're here for the lesson then?" She paused and made sure she had the attention of the girl before continuing. "Im Abbie Houghton, and you must be Shawna, right?" Abbie had seen the name when the lesson was scheduled. "So, are you all warmed up?"

[poppies]

Looking in the direction of the woman who walked into the arena she smiled. Walking Juniper towards her she smiled. Almost about to lean down to offer her hand but she was gonna change her mind. All the pink sort of scared Shawna but her first lesson with a new trainer she made a statement that she made fashion statements. Her first lesson with Juniper at her old barn she wore orange and black since it was almost Halloween. It was pretty funny and Shawna wore a witch costume. It was really hilarious about that.

"Yes ma'am. This is Juniper. She can go over small jumps but nothing to big. Just so you'll know." Smiling the mare looked at the woman and pinned her ears back and pawed the ground. Continuing her movements she looked at the woman and then spoke once more. "Yes'm. I've let her stretch her legs out at a walk but no faster. A couple circles and such." She was beginning to sound stupid and then she quieted down, all that was heard in Shawna's mind was Juniper's breathing.

Chewing at the bit the mare tossed her head and Shawna collected the reins a bit more and moved into a proper position. Shoving her feet into the stirrups she put her heels down to the ground and her toes in the air. Pointing her toes foward she felt Juniper tense up a little and moved at a short strided walking stride.

Abbie Houghton, it was a really cool name. The last name was original and Redwood really wasn't at all. Suddenly Shawna was snapped up from the sound of a dog barking outside the arena. Moving into an extended walk the mare reached the arena entrance. There stood Delilah begging to be let in. "Do you mind if my dog comes in? She'll lay right down in teh center or she'll lay down by the mounting block." She sounded like she was begging but really she sort of was.

Looking at the dog the mare squealed and tossed her head and kicked the door. "Stop that you brat." Looking at Shawna the mare nipped her leg playfully and then pranced a second. Juniper was like and imature child and so was Shawna, in a funny way. All though the color the mare wore was hilarious!