"See, Star? This is a stirrup," Raven held up the metal thing that was attached to the english-style saddle.
"Oh! I see"
"Hey guys? We need to think about how we are going to feed her." Robin said.
"Yeah. Does anyone know of a place we can buy oats and hay and sweet feed?" Beast Boy agreed.
"It doesn't matter," Raven replied, "We can't feed her until we have a vet look her over. We don't know if something is wrong her stomach. Feeding her something may make the matter worse"
"Since when do you know so much about horses? And why do you have a saddle and horse blanket in your room?" Beast boy asked suspiciously.
"None of your business," She snapped. Losing Tai, although it had been four years ago, still hurt tremendously.
"Okay, okay"
"Why don't I go call the vet and you guys put that blanket on her and put her in the stall," Cyborg suggested.
Raven grabbed the faded halter, not bothering to fetch a lead rope, because while the building, combing and brushing had been going on, Aine stood still without being tied, and led Aine to the stall. There, she undid the halter and hung it on the stall door. She patted the animal and left. "The vet says she'll come in an hour. Meanwhile, don't give her anything to eat or to drink, but stay with her. Raven, obviously, for some reason, you have tack. Why don't you take it out and we can put it in the tack room?" Cyborg said.
Raven nodded and went to her room, reappearing with two saddle pads, a girth, a grooming kit, a lead rope and bridle.
"Why you have these thing I'm sure I don't want to know."
"You don't."
After everything had been hung and put away, the vet arrived. She had straight red hair that was pulled back into a bun. "Who's the patient? You're dog looks sickeningly green," She chuckled.
"No, it's a neglected horse. We just wanted to make sure she aws alright"
"Well! Let's see her"
The vet (who's name was Cheryl) looked the horse over, felt her legs, and listened to her heartbeat. Then she have the all-clear.
"The horse is fine, just get her some food."
Robin came home soon after, carrying a bag of feed and a bale of hay. They measured out the amount and left.
Two weeks passed, filled with fighting crime and spending time with Aine. The mud had been washed out of her coat and it was a shining, light-colored gray with white spots. Her mane and tail were no longer yellow-white, but plain white. You could no longer see her ribs, thanks to Beast Boy's peppermint treats. She was healthy. And now it was time to see if they could ride her.
Raven heaved the saddle pads and the saddle over Aine's back. She didn't move. She buckled the girth. Still, the horse didn't move. Raven tightened the girth. Aine looked at her, but didn't try to bite or anything. Next was the bridle. Nothing happened. She led Aine out into the paddock where Starfire stood, eagerly waiting.
"Okay. First, grab the reins." Starfire did as she was told. The other titans looked on.
"Second, put your left foot in the stirrup and swing your right leg over." "Give her a little kick; no, harder than that, and walk around the ring."
After they had walked two laps, Raven started to instruct again. "Give her another kick. She will go a little faster. Since this is english riding, sit and stand in rythem with her movements. Up, down. Up, down. Good." After an hour, Starfire got off and helped Raven untack her. They both grabbed brushes and then they picked out her hooves. They gave her a couple of carrots and led her to her stall.
Boring, short chapter. I know. Bear with me here. If I get reveiws, I can update in a couple of hours. Oh! and I accept flames.