Working Cloud

[BlueSails]

It's no good to put off working the others, you know, Isabel reminded herself as she led Cloud Nine out into the indoor arena. His coal-black coat was a little dirtier than usual, since the trailer hadn't been exactly spic and span, plus she hadn't been able to hose him down last night. There were some brownish stains that would take too long to clean without water, so she decided that riding him first would be all right since the dirt wasn't between the tack and his skin anyway. Cloud nudged her gently as she checked her girth, mounted up, and then tightened the girth. Her stirrups were still at the same perfect length.

Isa sighed. It was too quiet here, no one else was riding and she'd ever actually ridden Cloud all alone before. There'd always been someone watching or riding with her. "You wouldn't do anything anyway boy, would you?" she said aloud to break the silence, bending down to stroke his neck. Then she squeezed him into a walk and started around the ring.

[BlueSails]

After warming him up at a trot going both sides, with long reins, Isa asked for a canter. On the left rein Cloud immediately responded, moving smoothly into the faster, rocking gait, but on the right rein Isa's leg aids tended to be less precise. Cloud sped up at a trot instead of changing into a canter, and she calmed him first with her seat and voice before asking for the canter again.
I really have to work on this, I'm getting used to having people work him for me, she thought, finally getting the canter. By this time, trotting at top speed had made her horse a little worked up, and Cloud tossed his head as they cantered around the ring. When he'd cantered a few rounds both ways she slowed him to a walk for a break, and then worked on transitions.

She finished Cloud's workout in just 30 minutes, a little short because he hadn't been ridden for a few days. The black Thoroughbred had worked up a light sweat, and he was now perfectly content with transitions to canter on the right. Isa walked him back to his stall and gave him a rubdown before letting him in for the day. She'd turn him out for a few hours later.