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Post by Melissa on Jul 8, 2009 19:14:58 GMT -5
"Song, what are you doing?" I asked indignantly, mocking a scowl at the bay filly as she danced around a mud puddle in the yard. I gave a light tug on the Thoroughbred's lead rope and she pranced back to my side. "You're silly, but I love you." I murmured scratching under Song's mane affectionally. Shaking out her mane Folksong looked around idly, forelock covering one warm brown eye and half of her thin blaze. The filly's kind demeanor and coolness even in the worst of conditions, made her one of the horses who had the biggest fans. Even her timidness around strangers and slightly un-nerved ways around the track did nothing to waver their adoration for the GS Gallant Prince full sister.
After her debut start last fall at the Breeders' Cup, loosing only to Sayonara the exceedingly swift Seabiscuit daughter owned by Rockstar, Folksong had come back strongly, only placing off the board once in the seven starts since then. Her next race, the Sweet Kiss Cup, would bring her up against Sayonara, and the whole barn was looking forward to it. Never had we had such a dynamic trio of fillies racing this year. For years we'd raced the best colts, and prided ourselves on doing that but with Folksong, Santana, and Faith In Shadows we were equally proud of the band of fillies we had.
Today was just a calm day around, of course Rhosebud was giving someone a headache over in the broodmares paddock and there was the usual bustle of activity coming and going from the track but that seemed irrevalent compared to the gleaming bay filly who barely batted a eyelash when War Chant pinned back her ears at Song. We went about our way, while War Chant gave her rider a bit of trouble in our wake. "Whatcha say to a nice, warm bath Songs?" I asked the bay once we had entered the barn and were on the way to the wash stalls at the end of the barn. Of everyone of the horses Folksong had to be the one who loved her bathtime the most, she would stand and let the water wash over her for a hour or more, it was unbelievable. Making sure she was tied up good in the wash stall's crosstie I turned the water on, making sure it was just at pre-wash.
Once Song was thoroughly soaked I lathered her bay coat up with shampoo and conditioner, but I might have as well just taken a shower myself for all the soap that had splattered onto my shirt and jeans, not to mention my hair hasn't escaped suds-free either. Song however was looking a bit better despite still being covered by soap. Song turned her head a bit to the side and gave a snort, ears firmly pinned against her skull to keep out the soap. Picking up the water hose I turned the water on again and pressed it to Song's chest, sliding it over her coat and watch as the grimy looking suds went down the drain. After I had covered every inch of the filly's coat I stepped back, turning off the water before gazing at the now clean Folksong. Grabbing a fluffy towel off the partition I vigorously scrubbed at Song's coat, getting it good and dry before unclipping her and leading her back to her freshly made stall. |
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