Reins.
A/N: this is the first story I'm actually excited for. It's been a while since I said that.
Yes laddies, I've been uninspired for a while, so this really helped me out. And for those who are already known with my writing: I'm working on a FT one shot and a Kagerou project One shot. So yaay.
Also, I love being an equestrian, I really do, but unlike most equestrians at my stables, I prefer liberty/groundwork/natural horsemanship over dressage. While the stables are focused on dressage. And whenever I have fun on and with my horse, everybody looks angry at me, besides my riding instructor and a few of my friends. (and my best friend is always singing while trotting, it's hilarious) so there's that.
Enjoy.
-X-
"Henry! Wake up, it's eight o'clock!"
Henry Horrendous Haddock slowly opened his eyes, and glanced over to the clock. Noticing that his dad was right, he hurried out if his bed. He rushed to get dressed, and almost tripped in the proces.
He ran downstairs and took an apple. "Is the school bus here yet?" He questioned his father.
Stoick just laughed. "Henry, it's Saturday, your art class starts in an hour."
'Yeah, art class.' Henry thought. In reality, he wasn't going to art class. Henry was going to do what he loves most, which is also what his father despises the most: Horseback riding.
Henry knows that his father hates it, because his wife, Henry's mother, died in an accident. She was breaking* a gelding, but the gelding smashed her into the wall and fell on her. The gelding was injured and Henry's mom died. But, Henry knew that she loved the sport with her life. And, he loved it just as much.
"Oh, yeah, art class." He said, accepting the bowl of cereal while sitting down next to his father. The two ate in silence, and an half hour later, they were both cleaning after themselves.
Henry ran upstairs to change to his riding attire. He wore a green hoodie, with his horse riding pants underneath it. He decided to put on a jogging pants over his riding pants, just to be sure his dad wouldn't see it. He took his backpack with his helmet and brushes and left, without saying goodbye.
Henry walked to the ranch, with mixed feelings. He felt slightly guilty towards his father for lying, but he felt happy because he could do what he and his mother loved.
When Henry reached the ranch, he noticed a trailer. Next to the trailer was Gobber, his teacher and best friend of Stoick. He's like an uncle for Henry. "Hey Gobber, what's with the trailer?"
"You don't know? Well, lad, in this trailer is one of my newest projects! Well, not mine, but I couldn't let this beauty be killed. Maybe I'll assign him to someone here who wants to put their time into this."
"If nobody wants, I'll volunteer, Gobber." Henry said, smiling widely. Henry always helped Gobber with his so called projects. Gobber buys traumatized horses, or horses with behavior issues, and he trains them. It's very strange, especially since this stable focusses on Dressage and jumping, not liberty or breaking horses, but nobody argued with Gobber. He bought the horses after all with his own money.
"Sure, lad, why not? You've been helping me great with Windshear. You also gave 'im the perfect owner."
Ah, Windshear. Windshear was a very aggressive stallion that was 8 years old. Henry spend a full year trying to teach him that he should respect him and accept him as the leader, not the other way around. Henry has been bitten a lot by the large stallion, but he doesn't blame him. It's typical behavior for a stallion of that age to get agressive. Henry and Gobber later decided to sell the horse again, to a lovely young woman of Henry's age, named Heather. She's a good friend of Henry, and a great equestrian.
"So, lad, what're you planning to do today? Yer gonna ride Cloudjumper, or are you gonna continue yer liberty work with Hookfang?"
"It's Friday. Scott comes riding on Friday. So I think I'm going to ride Cloudjumper, maybe jump a little bit with him. It's been a while, anyway."
Gobber nodded. "Well, go tack him up, and I'll see you in the arena. I'm gonna let this wild horse roam in the meadow." Gobber climbed into the trailer. "Ey, Henry, open the fence please. I don't think this beast here is gonna walk on the lead rope with me."
Henry obeyed his instructor and opened the fence. Gobber maneuvered the trailer so that he only needed to open the trailer and let the black horse free.
Gobber opened the trailer, and the black horse ran out of it, almost knocking Gobber over. The broad blonde man closed the trailer and drove it back onto the parking, while Henry closed the fence of the meadow.
"What a beautiful horse." Henry whispered.
"Aye. I believe he's a mixture between an Arabian and a Friesian." Gobber said, who apparently parked the trailer away and walked over to Henry in the time he was gazing at the black horse.
"Go to Cloudjumper, Henry. You're wasting time."
Henry saluted Gobber. "Sir, yes sir!" He grinned and walked away.
-X-
Henry walked to the private stables, where Cloudjumper, a large brown roan, was standing. In one stable block could fit 20 horses. Henry passed by some of the horses he frequently trained with.
In the first stable on the right side was Barf, and in the stable on the other side was Belch. Barf and Belch are owned by the twins, Ruff and Tuff. Barf and Belch both have behavior issues, and Henry trains them once every two weeks. The pair respects Henry quite a bit, but they still have a lot of issues. The twins themselves are hating the fact that Henry is training the pair, but they can't say anything, because it's on Ruff and Tuff's parents demands.
Next to Barf stood Hookfang, a proud and huge Belgian warmblood. Hookfang also has behavior issues, just like his owner. Henry is doing basic groundwork with the gelding once a week, on Gobbers demands. And when Gobber demands you to train a private horse, it means that the horse is constantly aggressive or a danger to others.
On the right side of the stable stood Merabel, but some nicknamed her Meatlug. She's a short, little overweight New forest. Henry trained her to lose weight. Felix, or Fishlegs, whatever you prefer, asked him to train his beloved mare. Henry personally loves training Merabel. She's a sweetheart, even if she's a little bit lazy sometimes. The new forest had lost a lot of weight already, so Henry doesn't train that often with her anymore.
Next to Merabel stood Stormfly. A beautiful dapple grey mare. This is probably a one of the few horses Henry had never even touched. Stormfly is an expensive three-course trained horse. Her value is extreme high, but her owner, Astrid wouldn't sell her for nothing.
On the left side stood Cloudjumper. Cloudjumper was his moms horse. A strong jumper, as his name suggests. Unfortunately, his mom died in an accident involving her breaking a horse.
"Hey, Cloud. How are you? Are you ready to jump? It's been a while, hasn't it."
The large roan gave the teen a soft nudge. He's happy to see him.
"Alright then, wanna go tackles?"
Cloud left a low sigh out. Tackles it is.
Henry groomed the horse, and his blabbering to the horse was interrupted by a group entering the stables.
Henry recognized the voices. "Oh it's just them." 'Them' being Astrid, Felix, Scott, Rachel and Thomas.
Henry just continued grooming the large roan. When he walked out of the stables, he was immediately verbally attacked by Scott.
"There he is! Hiccup, the horseman who barely rides." Scott yelled. Tuff chuckled at the joke, while Felix looking sad. Poor Felix. He doesn't want to participate in making fun of Henry.
"Actually, Snotlout, I'm about to ride Cloudjumper." Henry snorted, using his nickname. Scott frowned, not appreciating the sarcasm in Henry's voice.
"I'm gonna shove your face into horse poo, Haddock!" He yelled angrily. Henry rolled with his eyes.
"You're practically a Haddock too, Snotlout." Henry answered. It's true, in a way. His late mothers brother is Scott's father. So, indirectly he's a Haddock too.
"No I'm not!" He yelled, once again.
"Would you stop yelling?" Hissed Astrid. "You're upsetting Stormfly." Henry scoffed and murmured a faint 'and everyone else', but was ignored by both Astrid and Scott.
"Anything for you, Ass-trid." Scott said, winking at the tall blond. She scoffed and went to get Stormfly's tack.
Henry sighed and took his dandy brush and went back to grooming Cloudjumper.
After a while, Henry was done with grooming and went out of the stable to get Cloudjumpers saddle.
"Alright, Cloud, let's get you saddled up."
-X-
Astrid, Scott, Felix, Ruff and Tuff were all surprised to see Henry riding Cloudjumper with a saddle, but instead of wearing a traditional bridle, he only had a neckrope.
"What do you think you're doing?" Astrid hissed angrily at Henry. Henry rolled his eyes. "Riding Cloud. What does it seem like I'm doing."
Astrid growled inwardly. "No, I mean, why aren't you wearing a bridle? Or a helmet?"
Henry shrugged. "I don't like riding Cloud with a bridle and I prefer not to wear a helmet when I'm warming him up. It's my preference."
Astrid rolled her eyes. "I hope you fall off, you irresponsible prick."
Henry sighed and slightly nudged Cloudjumper to trot.
After half an hour of warming their horses up, Gobber came in, ready to 'teach' them how to jump.
"Alright lads, today we're gonna jump a course. Get yer asses to the outside arena, I've set up the course for ya' laddies. And Henry, catch!" Gobber threw the thin eighteen year old a helmet.
"Thanks." He murmured.
They all went out to the outer arena, where indeed a course was standing, ready to be ridden.
"Alright, I want you lads to threat this like a compitetion. Do her very bests and impress me! First off, Felix on Merabel!"
Felix steered his horse to Gobber, who explained the course to him. "You two can do this, Felix. It's only 53 cm to start of with. You can handle the first three rounds."
Felix nodded and nudged Merabel to canter. The horse obeyed and slowly started to canter. They headed to the first jump, and got over it with ease. They finished the course without any faults, but they did pretty long to finish it. Almost a minute and a half.
After Felix his round, they putted the bars higher. It's almost a meter now.
"Good job! Next are Ruff and Barf. Or is it Ruff and Belch? I don't care, Ruff, yer turn!"
Ruff, being the reckless rider she is, nudged her horse to a wild, uncontrolled canter. She jumped over the jumps like a madman, but surprisingly she only knocked of two bars.
After her was Tuff, and he did pretty much the same thing. Only he got of three bars.
Next up was Scott with Hookfang. The stubborn gelding was a strong jumper. Scott grinned, knowing he got this in the bag. The first few jumps were okay, until the fifth jump where Hookfang decided he had enough and stopped in the middle of his canter. Scott nearly fell off.
"C'mon Hook, we've gotta win!" Scott pinned his legs in the horse's stomach, but she most movement he got was a slow trot. Scott had enough, and wanted to punish his horse. Luckily, Gobber had enough too.
"Scott, get out of my course. Astrids gotta jump too, ya know."
Scott groaned but obeyed and lead the horse to the side.
"Alright, Astrid, your up! Ye know the course, so show 'em how it's done!"
Astrid smiled. Only a meter high? Child's play. She nudged Stormfly to canter and steered her to the first jump. She jumped over it with ease, grinning. She loves jumping, almost as much as dressage.
Astrid finished the round without any faults, and an incredible timing. "Wow, a little over 40 seconds." Gobber said. "I'm impressed."
Astrid smiled and pulled the reins, signaling to stop. She smirked over at Hiccup, who didn't look impressed. He didn't even look at Astrid.
"Hiccup, yer last!" Gobber yelled. "Pff, he can't even steer that horse. He's not gonna jump!" Scott yelled. Everybody laughed. Even Astrid chuckled. Scott had a point. Without bridle, you aren't in control, right?
Henry grinned. "Alright Cloud, let's show 'em watcha' got." Henry let Cloudjumper canter, and pushed with his left inner leg to Cloudjumpers side, leading him to the first jump. Cloudjumper understood Henry's signals, and gladly took the jump. Henry softly pulled the neck rope to the right to bend Cloudjumper to the next jump.
Henry had a faultless round, and finished it with an incredible speed. "40 seconds exactly. Impressive, Henry." Gobber said, grinning at his apprentice. "Yer gonna stay for another round?"
Henry grinned back. "Nah, I'm good. Cloudjumper had his exercise, and he isn't the youngest anymore." Henry took of his helmet and tossed it at Gobber. "I'm gonna clean him up. See ya later Gobber."
Gobber smiled. "Take care lad." The others were staring at with open mouths at Henry's silhouette.
"It's probably because his mom trained his horse, anyway." Ruff said, scoffing.
"Yeah!" Scott and Tuff yelled.
Astrid growled inwardly. She wasn't that sure. But she was pissed off.
-X-
Henry lead the large roan to a small side ring. The ring was there for young horses to stretch their legs before riding, and wasn't used that often since a lot of the horses were older then eleven. Henry opened the fence to the ring, while still sitting on Cloud, and let him walk in.
Henry closed the fence behind him, and took off the saddle and neck rope, leaving Cloudjumper completely tackles.
"Alright Cloud, ready for a little groundwork before I'll let you get your well deserved rest?"
The horse let out a small neigh. Henry took that as a yes.
Henry took out a whip and walked over to Cloudjumper. He gave Cloud a light touch with the whip on his upper leg, signaling to lift it up. Cloud did what was asked, and Henry awarded the roan. "Good boy!" He smiled.
Henry did a few more liberty exercises, before doing his favorite one.
He called Cloudjumper, who came to him. Henry started to run and Cloudjumper followed with a relaxed trot. And when Henry suddenly stopped, so did Cloud.
"Good boy!" Henry said, while giving the roan a threat and a pat. "You've still got it. Let's get you some rest, okay?"
Henry took the neck rope that was grown aside before their exercises and put it on again, leading Cloud to the stables.
At the stables, Henry took out a large cooler* and put it on the horse. After he made sure that the cooler was on correctly he closed the stables, and went to out away the saddle and neck rope.
On his was to the saddle room, he bumped into Astrid. "Watch where you walk." She growled. Henry raised his eyebrows. "Sorry to walk in the way, milady."
Astrid glared at Henry. Why is he annoying her so much? She'll never know.
-X-
That day, Henry came home pretty late. It was dark outside and he was still wet from the shower he took at the sports centrum. (He just walked in there to shower, they were used to it.)
Henry hoped that his dad wouldn't be home, but fate had a different plan, because his father was sitting in the living room, not looking all to happy about Henry's late arrival at home.
"Where were you?" Stoick yelled at the sixteen year old. Henry smiled awkwardly. "I was at the gym?"
Stoick raised an eyebrow, not believing his son. Luckily, he let it slide. "I need to tell you something, Henry."
"What is it?"
Stoick sighed. "I'll be going on a business trip. It'll last a month or more this time. Im not sure when I'll be back, so you have to stay at my brothers house for the time being."
Henry tensed up. His uncle? No thank you. "Please dad, don't do that to me! Let me stay home alone! I can cook for myself, I won't throw any party's and if something happened you can always count on Gobber or Gothi to come and help me out!"
Stoick groaned. "Fine, you can stay home alone. But, I'll have Gothi come by and check on you a lot young man. No party's while I'm gone."
Henry smiled. "Thanks dad!" Stoick just nodded and they stood there awkwardly for a second.
"Well, uh, I'm going to bed now. See ya dad."
Henry ran upstairs, happy to be alone for a month after tomorrow.
A/N:
*Breaking a horse: Training a green horse (a horse that has never been ridden before) to be rideable under the saddle and to learn them to understand the signals an equestrian sends with their legs and seat.
*Cooler: A blanket that prevents the horse from drying to quick. If a horse sweats a lot during work (especially shaved horses), they can dry to quick and they can get sick.
Any other terms you don't understand? Ask me of google them.
