Dashing Through The Snow

[Sam]

Horses: The True Nut and Touch of Amber
Handlers/Drivers: Sam and Toby
Purpose: Mostly fun but it helps build Nut's muscles and gives Amber a good work out.

Dashing through the snow! I sang out while laughing as I held tight to the red and white lead line that was attached to Nut's halter. My cousin who was sitting beside me, flinched the reins sending our black Irish Draft, Amber, into a faster trot. The buckskin Thoroughbred threw her head before throwing her legs together into a messy canter.

She was obviously having fun being able to run without a rider. I sat on the sleigh, keeping a way clear so that if anything happened I could hop off quickly and stop the Nut. She threw her head again and she charged faster, hoping to pass the black draft mare, who could care less about the Thoroughbred as she plowed though the snow.

With a one-horse open sleigh! Toby sang back as he let Amber move into a well formed canter. I held tight to Nut's lead line, glad I had attached a lead line to the sleigh and had put a stud chain on her.

Over the hills we go! I sang back while glancing back at him before my gaze turned sharply back to the buckskin filly. Laughing all the way! he sang back

HA HA HA! We said loudly and in unison. Both horse's strides faltered at the unexpected insane sounding. Nut's gaze flew to me, unsure of my sanity, it seemed. Not as insane as you! I teased her when I reached out to stroke her neck.

Toby, who was more then use to me having conversations with horses, cut into the conversation. Hey, hey! No fighting! You're both insane! He said with a nod, as if his word was law. I just replied with my tongue sticking out of my mouth, see how mature I was? I didn't even reply with some smart remark! Or even words!

My fingers gently brushed her pelt. She slowly let her strides bring her closer to the sleigh. She had be terrified of the sled at first, since she believed that the sled was chasing Amber. But you see, that was a while ago. When she was a yearling we moved her closer to a paddock where she could see the driving horses be worked. I had high hopes of turning her into a trusty driving horse when she retires. But then again, the chances are even high that she'll run off on me. Well, maybe she'll run of with me as I'm not likely to just jump off the cart and let her run off to hurt herself.

Any clue when the snow would melt? I asked my cousin, slightly impatient. For a small moment, I waited. When no response came I glanced towards him. He was typically very quiet so I was use to looking for a response rather then hearing it like a normal person. A shrug passed over his shoulders. I rolled my eyes. You know, I said, my voice rather calm, but my eye brows were arched slightly. I know you've been dying to ride Que as much as I've been dying to hope back on Nutters, I said with an all-knowing smirk.

His body slumped slightly. ... It'll be gone in a day or so and we'll be able to ride in about three or four days, he said, hating my smirk that was still plastered on my lips. I knew him far too well and he hated it. That's what he gets for letting me spend most of my life with him! His own fault he didn't push me away faster!

Good, I said with a small nod, gaze returning back to the buckskin who pulled against the lead. I'm putting Nuts on the treadmill in two days, want me to put Que in too? I offered turning to glance at him. His mouth opened to form words but my came out faster. I'll make sure he stays in his western gaits.

He studied ahead before he started a wide turn back to the stables. Sounds good, he said as he let the draft mare pick up some speed at her trot, though we both minded to keep our horses at a trot so they wouldn't hurt themselves at a canter if they happen to hit hard ice. Besides, trotting built more muscles mass then cantering did. The extra strain from the snow was probably doing great for my Nutty-Buddy.

With a small smile, I watched the filly as she continued her high-stepping trot, as if she was trying to keep her hooves clear of the snow but any one that had seen her before would know the nut was just a quirky filly.

Word Count: 877