Things had gone back to normal since breakfast and Sam was finally able to relax with Jake by midday. He had some work to do with her dad that morning, so Sam spent an extra long time grooming Tempest and cleaning her tack before taking her to the corral.
She wanted to get the filly's tack on before Jake arrived back from checking the herd. Although she would not admit it to him, she wanted Jake to be impressed by how far she had come as a trainer in his absence. His approval had always meant a lot to her, and it was not something easily won.
"Alright girl," Sam cooed, rubbing circles down her dark gray neck, "just like the other day, ok?"
Tempest stood calmly while she rubbed the saddle pad up and down her back; this was the easy part. She gently laid it on her back and moved to get the saddle. The filly eyed the heavy leather object but stood still while Sam showed it to her. In the past few weeks Tempest had easily accepted both the pad and the saddle, but Sam knew she should not count on a mustang's track record.
The saddle was on and Sam loosely cinched the girth. It was time for the hard part, the bridle. Tempest was still a little bit shy and did not like Sam holding onto her head to keep her still.
"We'll do this nice and slow, girl," she murmured as she picked up the bridle. Tempest's ears pricked and she shifted her weight. Sam began by moving the headstall all around the filly's face to familiarize her with it being close. Tempest raised her head a bit but stayed still.
"Ok girl, I'm going to put these on either side now," She told her horse as she moved the cheek straps into place with the bit dangling below her mouth. Tempest nodded her head a bit, moving Sam's hand and making the bit jingle.
"Its ok," she whispered, rubbing a hand on her muzzle first before bringing the bit close to it. She put a little pressure on the corners of the filly's mouth, but this only made Tempest shake her head and back up a step.
"Come on girl, it won't hurt," She said, trying to keep her voice steady and even. She held Tempest's head with her other hand and tried once more to open her mouth.
In an instant Tempest squealed and wheeled away, pulling Sam face first into the dirt before she galloped off to the other side of the corral. Sam groaned and slammed her fist into the dust.
"Sam! You okay?" The last voice she wanted to hear at that moment called, and she could hear his footsteps hurry over to her.
"Fine." She huffed as she picked herself up. Jake grabbed her elbow and his eyes appeared to glance over her quickly to see for himself.
"It's just a little dirt, cowboy." She drawled before shoving her hat back on her head and striding after Tempest. She had NOT wanted him to see that.
"She really hates the bit, huh?" Jake said. He had caught up to her and was walking with her towards Tempest.
"Yep." She said, annoyed, "She probably was startled by you coming up too."
Jake smirked and his mustang eyes shone, "Then she has a slow reaction time. I've been standing there half an hour."
Sam's stomach flipped, but she hid her expression as she turned toward her horse. How had she not realized he had been watching? Jake turned and walked back to pick up the bridle lying in the dirt as Sam returned her attention to the wayward filly.
Tempest had stopped running and stood watching Sam lazily as if nothing had happened. Sam rolled her eyes and clipped the lead to her halter, heading back to the other side of the arena. Jake stood there, appraising Tempest carefully.
"You are very focused with her, it shows," Jake said when she returned, "She's lucky you care so much."
Sam felt the heat rise in her cheeks and the frustration melted away. He approved, and Sam almost couldn't believe it.
"Of course I care," Sam said, rubbing Tempest's neck once more, "If we're going to work together than we have to start with a strong relationship. This cowboy taught me that once."
Jake flashed her a genuine smile that she felt all the way to her toes. Sam couldn't help but grin back like a fool. If things kept up the way they were going, she'd go crazy by summer's end.
"Now, I know an old native American trick to get this in her mouth," He said, taking a bottle out of his back pocket. Surprised, Sam realized it was the honey bottle. Jake put some on his fingers first and held them out to Tempest.
The filly's nostrils flared and she lipped the tip of Jake's fingers. When he withdrew them, she followed wanting more. Sam laughed as her friend tried to keep the eager horse at bay while he applied the honey to the bit.
"Native American trick you say?" Sam questioned as he pushed Tempest's nose away again, "I didn't think they even used bridles back then…"
"Okay, so it's a more recent trick. Here you go girl, you can have this," He said and held the bit out in front of Tempest. Forgetting her fear of the metal, Tempest reached out and put the bit completely in her mouth. Quickly, Jake secured the headstall and held out the reins to Sam.
"Ta da!" He smiled. Sam could have been frustrated that he had solved her problem so easily, but she was too busy laughing at Tempest nosing his hands for more honey.
