Blind Healing and New Sight

[Sam]

Ipo was many things, I learned over the past few years. A sinner, a gambler, a saint, a rebel, a girl (that one was a little bit of shock to me!), and, even though she would never admit it, a child.

One thing Ipo wasn't, was scared.

Ipo just didn't do scared. (Unless there was a thunderstorm, but that's understandable. (Long story)) You'd think a blind little girl would easily get scared at loud noises or sudden commotion or even roller coasters (she actually loved them).

Right now, Ipo looked a tad bit nervous. She rarely looked nervous, but I ignored it, believing it was just Ipo not liking it.

I really don't think this is a good idea, Ipo said as I gave her a leg up onto the golden colt.

And I really think you're gonna be fine, I replied as I Sam held onto Zaz while I got onto Keegan- who was extremely confuzzled as to why Ipo was riding (or perhaps why Ipo was riding Zazzy and not him).

Sam handed me the short lead rope attached to Zaz's bridle. Just a little galloping, she reminded me. And warm up out here. What was she? My mother?

I know, I replied. I nudged Keegan to a walk. And don't worry, we'll be careful.

Sam had let me borrow Zaz to let Ipo ride on several conditions. The first being we both had to have long stirrups, second was to warm up off the track and only canter or gallop once on the track, and third being, I would be leading Zazzy.

The colt didn't looked thrilled with this idea. He knew me, not that he trusted me, but he knew I wasn't going to hurt him. For some reason, he liked Ipo. (God knows why.) So Zaz didn't mind much when Ipo climbed onto his back.

You ready? I asked, as Zaz walked beside Keegan. Luckily, both colts were turned out together so they knew each other and got along rather well.

I'm not so sure about this, Ipo mumbled. I had barely heard her.

You know I'm not going to let you fall, I replied.

Ipo blew at her overgrown bangs. Yea, then when you try and grab me, you'll hold me up for about a second, then I fall off the other side then get trampled to death.

Ok, that hurt a bit.

Oh, you'll be fine, I replied. You know I won't let anything hurt you. I continued to have Zaz and Keegan walk. I'm going to go ahead and trot. Alright? I glanced back to catch her nod.

I nudged Keegan's side. He threw his head but went into a bouncy trot. Zazzy's followed suit, his stride choppy and he looked a little nervous. The golden colt's head was held high and his nostrils were wide, showing the pink fleshy insides.

Ipo stood in the stirrups, couched and nervous. Her head was bent and her bottom lip drooped slightly, like it always did when she was concentrating on something. For a moment she stayed like that, then her mouth drew a straight line. She wasn't too happy with this.

I couldn't blame her much. She looked more awkward then a cat on a water bed. She held none of the natural carefree grace that girls normally had in the saddle.

This wasn't Ipo's first time riding. It was never really her favorite thing, but she tolerated it with little complaint. But this time it was different. She wasn't riding a trusty little pony you could plop a three year old on with no worry. She was riding a hot and nervous colt. I personally wasn't too worried. I was right beside her and could easily pull her out of the saddle and onto Keegan if anything happened. Course, she didn't trust me on that. (Which I find weird since she trusts me on pretty much everything.)

I shrugged the thought off and trotted around lazily for a good ten minutes. Whoa, I said, mostly for Ipo's sake, and pulled both of the colts up. I glanced back at my blind friend who sat in the saddle, her fingers in the colt's creamy white mane. Feeling any better about this ride? But before I even finished my sentence, she was shaking her head. I sighed and offered a reassuring smile- though I knew she couldn't see it. You'll be fine, I promised. Zazzy won't go no where. He's a good boy, I said as we walked onto the track. Aren't cha boy? I reached over to scratch his neck.

You know when people say "then it happened"? You never really get a true feel of "it happening" until it shows it's ugly head.

This was one of those moments.

The colt bolted to the side, shielding from my hand. The rope blazed through my fingers, causing horrid rope burn. But I had little time to worry about that. In an instant, Zazzy was galloping down the track with Ipo still in the saddle.

I cursed and didn't stop Keegan as he sped after the colt and girl. I clucked and gave him his head. He took it in an instance and quickly caught up to the bolting Zaz.

As we drew closer I noticed two things: Zazzy wasn't in a panic, but just galloping along and Ipo had the biggest grin on her face.

Ipo! I called, not daring to try and grab the short rope under Zaz's head in case he bolted again. My blind friend wasn't the least bit surprised by my presents. She probably heard Keegan's pursuing hooves, I realized. Hand me the reins, I called over the pounding hooves.

Ipo seemed utterly disappointed, but lifted the reins high so I could easily grab them. I pulled the left rein, so Zaz would have to stay close as I pulled Keegan up to an easy canter.

You ok? I asked as I grabbed the swinging rope, though my hands ached from the burns.

That was fun! Ipo decided, a wicked grin on her face. Can we do one last gallop before we go in?

I paused, thinking. The small gallop we already had was barely a breeze's length. For a moment, I was deciding against it but when I saw the hopeful look Ipo gave me, I said, Oh, why not?

I steered Keegan closer to the rail and Zaz followed without argument. Just hold on tight, I called over my shoulder as fixed my reins and the short lead rope in the other so Zaz and Keegan could gallop freely without running the risk of clipping heels.

Keegan sped quickly up. And Zaz, who couldn't resist the competition, sped up as well. He drew closer to me and eyed the colt before bursting forwards, though he looked rather puzzled as to why Ipo just sat there, enjoying the ride.

Keegan snorted and quickened his pace, meeting Zaz's challenge. I couldn't have this though. I gave a steady pull on the reins. Easy, Kee, I said softly. Not today.

Soon a few furlongs passed and I pulled both the colts up and quickly left the track before Zaz could get too antsy about the track.

That was awesome, Ipo said. I see why you all like it so much!

I could hear the envy in her voice. I felt bad for her. (Though if I ever tell her that, I'd just feel bad. Particularly in a fist sized bruise in my arm.) She loved horses but simply couldn't ride safely.

I laughed in response. Just let me know when you ever want to ride, and I'll try to arrange it for you.

Ipo responded with a grin, a nod, and a scratch on Zaz's shoulder.

Oh and let's not tell Sam about the whole spooking thing