Post by Melissa on Oct 7, 2007 20:54:54 GMT -5
"Come on Poe mon, time to work it." I called out to the grey colt as I moved along the stalls to the tall Spotted By A Star son. Lifting his head from where he had been nosing around his feed bucket the young Thoroughbred released his everyday normal neigh dark eyes peering out from underneath his forelock. "You need a serious mane pulling babe." I teased lightly stopping in front of Poe's stall and gazing over his raggedy mane. Instantly the big sturdy grey pushed lightly at my hands searching for a treat before backing off when I smooched to him, gazing shyly back at me with head slightly lowered. Unlatching the stall door I stepped inside the stall the straw bedding soft under my boots. Poe twitched an ear and whickered gently. Stepping closer the majestic colt shook his head, part of his mane falling on the opposite side of his neck.
"My big sweetie." I crooned into his gray ear after I had moved to his shoulder. Clipping his lead onto his gleaming leather halter I led him out into the aisle. The barn lights reflected off his brilliant grey coat. Rubbing his nose lightly against the wall Poe snorted and lightly swished his tail against his flanks. Going quickly over Poe's sterling coat I then tacked him up making sure his saddle pad didn't bother him during the workout.
Double checking the girth and adjusting his leg wraps once his bridle was on I didn't bother grabbing my crop. Today wasn't the day for Poe to go all out, he was just getting back into working. Halting the Spotted By A Star son next to the mounting block I slipped one foot into the stirrup and swung my leg over easily getting my other foot into the stirrup. Poe pricked his ears forward at the appearence of Devious. The black Sweet Symphony yearling daughter pinned back her ears and swished her tail as she passed the grey colt led by Jewel en route to her paddock.
Gently pressing my heels against Poe's sides I asked for a slow trot and the grey colt stretched out his hands and cleared his airways as he trotted along happily. Legs snapping elegantly and ears pricked happily forward the slightly experienced racer's heels kicked up the loose gravel as he moved along in a relaxed trot toward the track. Chewing lightly on his soft snaffle bit Poe paused at the track, the colt's brown eyes following the galloping figures of IGS Intervention and War Chant. The bay War Admiral colt was pressing War Chant for everything he had and the fiery chestnut Man O' War daughter was fighting back. The two galloping horses swept by the turn and entered the stretch.
It was one of the routine scenes you'd see around WB this time of early morning. The big, burly bay War Admiral son and the fleet chestnut filly flashed past them and Poe snorted arching his neck. A livewire of energy surged through the reins to my hands and I knew Poe was ready to show his stuff at least a little bit of what he was capable of. Jewel was riding War Chant and Jade was astride IGS Intervention. Both two years of age and unraced Tizzie and Chant were preparing to kick-start their racing careers at the beginning of August, a month before Folksong's possible career.
Shaking my head clear of the bundle of nerves at Folksong's first start two months off I nudged Poe forward into a trot as both Tizzie and Chant were starting their cool down on the outside rail. With a quick nod and a wave I pushed Poe forward into a canter. Snapping his tail against his flanks and knees snapping up elegantly up to his chest the two and a half old colt's hooves drummed out rhytmically against the soft dirt track.
At the three quarters pole I leaned forward and clucked once. Poe's response came immediately. Ears back and tail flying out on the breeze behind him the grey colt stretched out, teeth working for the bit but I held it from him. "Easy, today isn't the day." I said softly to the slow galloping colt from where I stood slightly in the stirrups and hands having most of the reins. Poe didn't drift out on the turn and I felt a small surge of encouragement. Right when he'd come to me he still had had that habit but now there was no trace of it.
Flying across the track in his usual flashy fashion Poe's hindquarters worked vigorously carrying him fluidly toward the finish pole. Darting past the pole I steadily brought the big two year old gray Spotted By A Star son down to a jog and then a leisurely walk.
"My big sweetie." I crooned into his gray ear after I had moved to his shoulder. Clipping his lead onto his gleaming leather halter I led him out into the aisle. The barn lights reflected off his brilliant grey coat. Rubbing his nose lightly against the wall Poe snorted and lightly swished his tail against his flanks. Going quickly over Poe's sterling coat I then tacked him up making sure his saddle pad didn't bother him during the workout.
Double checking the girth and adjusting his leg wraps once his bridle was on I didn't bother grabbing my crop. Today wasn't the day for Poe to go all out, he was just getting back into working. Halting the Spotted By A Star son next to the mounting block I slipped one foot into the stirrup and swung my leg over easily getting my other foot into the stirrup. Poe pricked his ears forward at the appearence of Devious. The black Sweet Symphony yearling daughter pinned back her ears and swished her tail as she passed the grey colt led by Jewel en route to her paddock.
Gently pressing my heels against Poe's sides I asked for a slow trot and the grey colt stretched out his hands and cleared his airways as he trotted along happily. Legs snapping elegantly and ears pricked happily forward the slightly experienced racer's heels kicked up the loose gravel as he moved along in a relaxed trot toward the track. Chewing lightly on his soft snaffle bit Poe paused at the track, the colt's brown eyes following the galloping figures of IGS Intervention and War Chant. The bay War Admiral colt was pressing War Chant for everything he had and the fiery chestnut Man O' War daughter was fighting back. The two galloping horses swept by the turn and entered the stretch.
It was one of the routine scenes you'd see around WB this time of early morning. The big, burly bay War Admiral son and the fleet chestnut filly flashed past them and Poe snorted arching his neck. A livewire of energy surged through the reins to my hands and I knew Poe was ready to show his stuff at least a little bit of what he was capable of. Jewel was riding War Chant and Jade was astride IGS Intervention. Both two years of age and unraced Tizzie and Chant were preparing to kick-start their racing careers at the beginning of August, a month before Folksong's possible career.
Shaking my head clear of the bundle of nerves at Folksong's first start two months off I nudged Poe forward into a trot as both Tizzie and Chant were starting their cool down on the outside rail. With a quick nod and a wave I pushed Poe forward into a canter. Snapping his tail against his flanks and knees snapping up elegantly up to his chest the two and a half old colt's hooves drummed out rhytmically against the soft dirt track.
At the three quarters pole I leaned forward and clucked once. Poe's response came immediately. Ears back and tail flying out on the breeze behind him the grey colt stretched out, teeth working for the bit but I held it from him. "Easy, today isn't the day." I said softly to the slow galloping colt from where I stood slightly in the stirrups and hands having most of the reins. Poe didn't drift out on the turn and I felt a small surge of encouragement. Right when he'd come to me he still had had that habit but now there was no trace of it.
Flying across the track in his usual flashy fashion Poe's hindquarters worked vigorously carrying him fluidly toward the finish pole. Darting past the pole I steadily brought the big two year old gray Spotted By A Star son down to a jog and then a leisurely walk.
