Horsemanship - Lowrey Manor

Two teenage boys came up, with full tacks in their arms. They seemed to be used to this.

"Bill and Fred will help you, if you are out of practice."

A laugh.

"Out of practice yes," Jim said. "Haven't forgotten everything though."

When the boys came up, the Tremere took some of the grooming gear and set it aside. Turning to Peachblossom, he made sure teh halter was in place before attaching a lead to the horse. "First things first... a quick brush down."

Leading the horse from the stall, Jim led the beast to a point where he could tie up and work on brushing the mare down.

Shauna smiled and nickered at her horse. ~"Will you just stay?~ The Animalism in use as she asked Buttercup while she grabbed the brushes that Jim used. ~"I'm gonna follow his lead so tell me if you like it harder or softer.~

Buttercup whinnied her affirmative response. She would teach the young one.

Christine was leaving them in the hands of the teenagers while she brushed down Demon and saddled him up.

USieng a little from column A and a bit from Column B and listening to her partner in murmurings Shauna got Buttercup ready. She eyed the saddle dubiously. "Is that comfy?" She asked the horse as if expecting an answer.

The nose was already questing for treats again.

Yes, if done right.

Carefully Shauna gave her the cookie around the bit. She was laughing at the antics and the questing nose.

Jim looked over at Shauna as he gave Peach Blossom a good pre-ride brush down. "Didn't know you had the ability to speak to the animals," He said. "Granted, I never asked..."

"Lady Grace taught me when I took in the threesome." Shauna said with a smile. "She found out my tender heart wasn't just for Errant Tremere knights in shining armor."

Peachblossom seemed slightly miffed that Jim didn't have treats. Or at least, that he wasn't handing them over. She hadn't checked all his pockets, yet.

Demon was watching both of them closely. The ladies were his herd, after all.

Jim laughed heartily, whether at the comment or the horse's antics one could not be sure.

Reaching into a pocket, Jim pulled another carrot out. "There's more.... Gimme a few minutes and I'll have some licorice for you too..." He said. "I spoil horses after I get to know them...

Shauna laughed. "But not your women hmm?"

Christine chuckled.

"Jim, would you like to learn?"

Shauna was lead and was leading Her sweet horse out she treated her a bit like a dog minus the sit part but it seemed to be working for her. "You are sooo cute." She said gushing over the big animal walking quietly beside her head down.

"No.... I have a bad habit of spoiling my ladies first..." Jim said to Shauna then looked to Christine. "And yes, Christine, I would love to learn..."

She nodded.

"I will think of price, later. For now, these two will teach you."

She hadn't put a saddle on Demon. Just a halter.

Shauna got bumped looking for cookies twice before she gave one up. "OK OK...how do I get on you here." She messing with the stirrup trying to figure out how best to put a foot into it and climb the horse.

Jim looked over and after quietly telling Peach Blossom to relax a moment, walked over to Shauna. "Here.... Place you foot in the stirrup and your hands here and here on the saddle..." He said, explaining and showing what to do. "Once in place, both pull up with hands and push off with the down foot- bringing it up and over to the other side. If you want to watch me do it, gimme a few minutes to saddle up...."

A smile. "I wouldn't mount up in here though- hitting head is a bad idea."

Shauna nodded. "Yeah not as tall but really."

Jim walked back over to Peach blossom and finished his brushing quickly then tacked up the horse. After ensuring the saddle was firmly buckled and set, he disconnected the ties and led the Mare to the indoor arena after making sure Shauna was doing the same.


Once they were in the indoor, the Tremere looked to Shauna. "Ok... one of two ways to do this. Use the mounting block in the corner over there.... or I can show you how I do it from the ground and you can try it. The key is be as smooth as possible in mounting. A slight hesitation is expected as you are shifting balance.... think of it as transitioning from a dock to a boat."

"The Mounting block looks easier on them as well as us." She said and lead her horse over. "OK Buttercup stay." Hey at least she had the the left side to mount part right.

She chuckled as she followed. Demon was watching carefully. Then he nudged at Christine's shoulder, clearly demanding. So she laughed, then grabbed his mane and vaulted onto his back.

"I will never expect bareback from either of you. But I think you're doing fine."

Shauna laughed. "I wouldn't expect to see you humping a 3.5 inch hose and nozzle either."

Jim laughed at Shauna's retort then turned to Peach Blossom. "Ok, Peach.... you and me kid."

He said quietly and then with a move that was slightly rusty but very practiced, Jim placed his foot into the western Saddle stirrup and mounted the horse. No hesitation or error other than missing the opposite stirrup with a foot. A miss easily corrected. "Hot damn..." He said. Eight years.... Far too long."


Peach Blossom shifted her feet some at the mounting.... but most horses did a little. Some twitching of ears but otherwise, all things were normal for the mare. Other than who was riding her. He was new.

She smiled. Both horses were used to new riders, so this wasn't unusual. Peachblossom waited until she felt that Jim had his seat, then she started forward.