The Take Down

Horse The Wanderer
Rider Emily

Written by Emily
^{Posted here for safety}

I arrived at the track in the middle of the day with my two year old, The Wanderer. There were already several trailers parked outside the barn area and I could see horses of various ages and experience levels out on both tracks. I could feel my trailer sway as I parked and when I opened the door, I was faced by a thrashing hoof, eager to get out of this tiny space and get moving. I shook my head and rubbed Wonder's neck as I tried to get the tie undone before she pushed me over. The young filly had raced here several times as a prospect and was excitedly assumed that she was here to chase down her competition once again.

Once off the trailer, I tied Wonder up where she could watch horses breeze as I ran a brush over her copper coat and tacked her up. She gave me a dirty look as I wasted precious moments making sure my helmet and gloves were on tight. Sorry girly, but some of us want to go home in one piece today I said as I grabbed her bridle and started to walk toward the track.

I mounted just before we reached the gate and as soon as her foot touched the soft, manicured grass, she jumped in the air, trying to get away from the hold I had on her head. As she seemed to settle a little I let her trot off. Wonder took off in a running trot and I gently reminded her that she was not actually a cart racer and a normal pace would do just fine for a warm-up. At this she abruptly came down to a walk. Wonder, you have to work with me here ok? I said, I know you know what I mean, and there is no way I'm letting you run if you can't handle this Her ears flicked in my direction and she seemed to realize what was at stake as she took off in a nice, controlled trot. That's more like it I said and when she felt loose, I let her canter a little.

Up ahead was a dark colt just beginning to breeze. Wonder decided that this was a challenge and stuck her nose down and took off, determined to beat him. I sat back and turned her toward the inside, forcing her to stop. I sighed and made her trot a few circles before cantering off again. This, however, was not nearly as amusing as the other horses beginning to arrive and Wonder looked interested at them then nickered to each one that came within 100 ft of her. I just shook my head and made her keep working.

When Wonder seemed to be warmed up enough I took her back to the start and lined her up. She knew what was coming and pranced rhythmically in place until I got into position and squeezed my calves against her ribs. Wonder leaped into the air and took off up the track. Now there was nothing else in the world but the fresh track in front of her, it didn't matter that a yearling was whinnying anxiously or that a colt had thrown his rider on the dirt track next to us, it was just me and her. She loved to run the longer distances, so early on she knew that she could just settle into a nice rhythmic pace and have plenty of time to get 'em in the end. The first few poles passed as we worked like this. Then at the 6th pole, I asked her to open up just a little and she decided this meant to go full out. I gave a slight tug on the reigns to let her know that wasn't until later and she could still coast for awhile. Then the 8th pole passed and I asked her again to open up, this time all the way. Wonder stuck her nose out and stretched her legs, surpassing all of the imaginary competitors. I kept asking for as much as she would give until the tenth pole passed.

I then asked her to slow until we got down to a nice trot to cool off. Wonder obeyed nicely and worked in an easy trot before I let her walk and completely cool off. She lowered her head and contentedly did as I asked, she had gotten exactly what she had been wanting. When I felt like her breathing was back to normal I walked her back to the trailer area and sprayed her off. You really are a good girl, Wonderkins I said as I led her into the trailer to go back home.

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