Riding Cpatian *mustang*

[Giraffie ღ]

In the outdoor arena, Miranda rode her horse, Captian, around the edge of the ring. On his broad back was a regular western saddle, not his normal tiny dressage pad. Today was a day for fun and relaxation. The Vanner's mane fluttered as he moved, his muscles rippling under a piebald coat. Miranda talked to him softly, her hands loose on his reins. She nudged him into a canter and he did so in one fluid movement, bobbing his head slightly. They slowed to a walk and began to go over beginner dressage moves, doing fly changes, going over patterns, and the like. Miranda smiled softly and had Captian trot around the ring, giving him a breather and allowing her to look around.

[mustang5jk2]

Jen Cagle trotted her gelding down the road, enjoying the peace and quiet of getting away from the busy stables. The Appaloosa seemed to be in a good mood as well, for he pulled at the reins, begging for a good gallop. Jen patted his neck, saying,Maybe in a little while, boy. Grand Theft blew through his lips and sped up the pace a bit.
Jen posted to the two-beat gait in her english saddle, looking around. Flawless Stables was just ahead, and, by the sounds of it, someone was out riding. She turned Theft into the driveway and slowed him to a walk, trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. Finally, they made their way to the ring and halted.Hey, Miranda, she called from the saddle.

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Miranda spotted Jen and waved, smiling softly. There was always a smile on her face. With a click of her tongue, she reined Captian to where Jen was sitting on her horse.Hi Jen. Long time no see, she said, smiling softly. Captian tossed his head and pranced slightly, lowering his head.Easy hon,[/b\] she murmered softly to the stallion, calming him down by stroking his next.

Across the dirt road from the ring was a psture, a few horses in there. A homely looking pale horse watched them as did a glimmering white one, as pretty as the other was homely. A few other horses looked up and greeted the other horse and rider before dropping thier heads to graze.

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Jen nodded with a laugh.Tell me abou it, she said with a grin.Seems like we haven't seen each other in forever. Probably since the party. The gelding tossed his head and snorted, eyeing the stallion. The wind brought him the scent of other horses and he looked about, finding them in a pasture. Theft whickered a greeting before turning back to the stallion and his rider. A moment of silence passed before Jen said,Hey, you up for a ride?

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Miranda smiled softly.Sure. I have been actually thinking about going on a ride but I don't want to go alone, she said.Let mem just move Misty and Flower to the other pasture. Patting Captian's neck gently, Miranda hopped off and went over to the pasture, calling the foster horses' names. They trotted up and both nickered to Theft, knowing him from the rescue. Miranda scratched thier cheeks and opened the gate, letting them file out. There was no need for a lead becuase they followed her willingly to the empty pasture to graze. Coming back over, Miranda got Captian out and mounted up.

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Right, then. Jen replied, watching Miranda dismount and let the horses into the pasture. The Appaloosa stepped forward and whinnied to the horses, recognizing them from the Rescue. Jen kept Theft where he was, waiting for Miranda. The gelding pawed at the ground, wanting to go say hello, but a moment later they were in the pasture. He sighed and watched Miranda come back over and mount piebald.So, where to? She asked, patting Theft's neck.

[Giraffie ღ]

Miranda lookrf around, frowning slightly, then smiled.How about we go in the trails around here? Most of our's connect to Green Creek's and their's go all the way to the public trails, she said, turning Captian towards the start of the web of trails. Some of the stable horses were grazing in the lrage pasture near the woods, flicking their tails at flies.

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Jen listened and smiled. She hadn't really gone trail riding around here much and it would be fun to explore.Sounds great. Jen turned the gelding to follow Captain and nudged him into a trot, sitting this time instead of posting.How far do these trails go?

[Giraffie ღ]

Miranda trotted Captian past the stable's show horses, some lifting their heads to watch htem pass, their coats protect from bleaching by blankets.They go for miles. We own about 500 acres here and Green Creek owns about another 500 acres but that mostly pasture or woods. The owner, you should know Sam, has some parts of our land fenced in for her cattle also. The next time she calls Alyssa to help her with a drive, you and Sasha and some of your workers should come with, Miranda said, sighing softly as they entered the shadowed trees where it was much cooler.But you have to have a good horse that will go forever because she chooses the hottest days to do the drive. They were in the woods for only a few minutes when a herd of deer bounded past and after they left, a mother fox sat by the edge of the trail with her pups to watch them go by.

[mustang5jk2]

As they entered the woods, both horse and rider looked about at the different plants and animals that resided there. Theft's ears ed up at the sound of birds flying overhead, singing back and forth to each other. Jen made sure she was listening to Miranda, who was telling her about Green Creek and the cattle drives. They didn't have cattle over at Crystal, or where she'd come from, but she'd read about them and it'd be interesting.Well, I've never been on one, but it could be fun. She said with a smile.

[Giraffie ღ]

Miranda smiled softly.Its a blast. We take the cattle from our farthest pasture over here and drive them all the way to Sam's birthing pastures on the other side of HER land. It takes about a week because most are pregant, she said. Captian snorted softly and tossed his head, biting at his bit. He eyed the flat trail ahead, wanting to take off, but Miranda kept him in check and behaving.We camp out, have campfires, listen to old Indian and cowboy tales from Sam and her cousin Josh, and get to brand the cattle that were born then grew up in the other pasture.

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((sry it took me so long-been extremely busy))

Definitley sounds like something that would be a lot of fun. I'll tell Sasha later, when I get back. I don't know much about branding, though, so I probably wouldn't be of much use there. Theft saw Captian getting ready to run, and did the same, snorting in slight anger when Jen held him back.What time of year do you usually do it?

[Giraffie ღ]

Miranda thought for a few seconds, frowning.About May, late April or early June. But most of the time its in May, she said, trying to remeber the past cattle drives. With a slight smile, Miranda shrugged.I don't have the best memory when it comes to cattle. Sam usually times it about amonth before the cows give birth then she and the whole family stick around about that time of month to help out with the prime stock. It gets too confusing sometimes. Captian snorted and tossed his head, biting hard on his bit a few more times. Miranda tapped her heel behind his shoulder, a silent reminder to behave himself.

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Jen went back to the mental calender in her head.Yeah, I don't think we have anything important during any of those times. I'll be sure to tell everybody back at Crystal. They'll probably be excited as I am! She said, eyes alight. Since arriving, she hadn't really done much with the joint stable, or anybody else for that matter. There was always a horse that needed to be trained or rehabilitated. Although the drive would still be work, it'd be fun.

[Giraffie ღ]

Miranda smiled softly and looked around them.I love this place. Can you belive I almost never came here? she asked, sighing softly. It was quiet out for now but once in awhile, there was the yip of a fox or the cry of a hawk overhead. After the hawk cry, the sound of a screaming rabbit came to their ears, making Miranda wince slightly. Captian flicked his ears and looked to the left, towards the field, and snorted.