Working the rest of Mal's horses! -- Fantail Creek

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Date Posted: 16:42:01 05/08/02 Wed
Author: Susan
Subject: Working the rest of Mal's horses!
In reply to: Susan 's message, "Working Mal's horses on the track!" on 04:24:19 05/06/02 Mon

Bay Watch pranced in the starting gate, waiting for the gates to fly open. Suddenly, BANG! The gates flew open and Bay Watch dashed foward, tackling the first furlong like it was nothing, his mane and tail whipping in the wind. We continued this pace for 2 more furlongs, before I pulled him into a slow gallop, that would condition and strengthen his muscles. We took 5 furlongs in this slow gallop, meaning hie had run, either slow or fast, a whole mile (8 furlongs = 1 mile). I dismounted Bay Watch and led him to the barn. Mike had just finished tacking up my next horse, Arrogance. I took this stallion's reins and Mike took Bay Watch's. I mounted Arrogance and took him to the track. The 3 year old bay stallion pranced about. His powerful muscles glistened and flexed. I started him around the track and had him canter 4 furlongs, his powerful strides covering the ground. I then breezed him two more furlongs, pushing him foward as his long legs flew over the ground. I pulled him back to a canter. We cantered 4 more furlongs and then breezed 2. This was the equivalent of cantering him a mile and galloping half a mile. His coat glistened with sweat and I knew that was enough for today. I brought him in and handed his reins to Mike, who gave me One in a Million's reins. Million was a dapple gray filly with an attitude. I led her towards the back of the barn and mounted. I was going to condition her heart and lungs by working her up and down hills, just as I had done with Wonder. I pushed the mare into a canter and she flew over the hills, having no trouble with endurance. I decided since she was so fit, that I could take her back at a trot. Up and down the hills all over again, she trotted them and was drenched with sweat by the time we got back to the barn. Mike took her and handed me the next filly, Star Performance. This chestnut 3 year old stood fairly calm as I mounted and then she exploded forward, cantering, bucking, using up too much energy. I pushed her onto the track and made her calm down. She was attentive and perky, one of my favorite styles of thoroughbred. Giving a quick kick, I got her to slow gallop 6 furlongs, preparing her muscles for long races. I breezed her 1 furlong and brought her back to a canter. I halted her and dismounted. Walking back to the barn, Mike met me halfway, dragging Makin� a Fortune. The stubborn liver chestnut stallion danced around. I took his reins and spoke softly to him. I kicked him into the starting gate and when they opened he stubbornly trotted out. I smacked him with the crop and he flew forward, now knowing that I meant business. I stood in my jockey�s crouch and pushed him forward and he exploded, his gallop strong and speedy. I pulled him up after 4 furlongs and was amazed by his time. He had done the best time of any of the horses I had ever ridden for 4 furlongs, including my own race horse, Chance. I smiled and dismounted the stubborn stallion. I could almost see the mischeivious glint in his eyes. He knew that he was good, he definitely knew it. I handed his reins to Mike and grasped the reins of Top Gun, the dark bay stallion that I was going to ride next. Topper started forward, his energy collected beneath him, waiting for my signal to let it loose. I moved him onto the track and squeezed gently. He flew forward, his long reachy stride eating up the track. 1 furlong, 2 furlongs, 3 furlongs, 4 furlongs, the distance seemed to fly past, and he wasn�t the least bit tired. I squeezed to let him know that we were going to go the whole mile. We breezed the last 4 furlongs and I pulled him up at the mile marker. I walked him over to the barn and dismounted, handing his reins to Mike. I took the reins of Jackpot. The chestnut colt had a competitive spirit that helped him on the track. I called out to Mike, an idea in my head. �Hey, Mike! Do you have Worthwhile tacked up yet?� He shook his head. �Almost.� I told him my idea and he quickly finished tacking up Worthy. Mike mounted on Worthy. We were going to race them. The two colts pranced as they were ridden side by side into the starting gates. Jack�s chestnut coat gleamed in the sunlight and Susan handled him well. Worthy snorted and pawed the ground. Suddenly, the gates flew open and the horses were gone, exploding down the track, for the 4 furlong race. At the 3 furlong marker, Jackpot was 4 lengths ahead. Worthy suddenly flew forward, at Mike�s urging and caught up to Jack, almost passing him. Then, right before the 4 furlong marker, Jack put in an extra stride and won! Susan pulled him up and grinned at Mike. They headed in and cooled their horses out. Susan smiled, and wiped the sweat off her forehead. Mal sure had a lot of horses!

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