I'd just like to say a special thank you to Sora Yagami, your review was the nicest one I've ever had – it made me smile so much, thank you. I dedicate this next chapter to you.
Black Stone Cherry – Like I Roll
I roll through the hills of my own Kentucky home
Back to the place where my heart belongs
I'll be flying high till the day that I die
No matter what they say
I begin another day
I did it my way.
Half an hour later the girls had stepped out the house and headed towards the barn. Lilly hummed to herself as she walked along the dusty track, Miley watched Lilly out the corner of her eye, walking slightly closer she grasped Lilly's hand and pulled her girlfriend next to her. Lilly broke her hum. "You alright Miles?"
"Yeah, I just can't believe you're really here with me. This summer is gonna be the best."
"At times you're so sweet."
"At times? What do you mean at times? I'm sweet all the time."
"You're defiantly not when you get horny."
"Shh." Miley went red. "C'mon, I wanna see the new boy."
"And there was me thinking you were gay."
Miley laughed. "My heart belongs to you, but occasionally I big beast with muscles catches my eye." She poked her tongue out at Lilly.
"Slut."
"Very funny." She said as they entered the barn. "Mamaw said he was at the end on the right." Miley strode to the end and peered in to the box. "Hey boy." She looked over the horse before holding a hand out over the door. The horse lifted his head and looked at the hand that was offered. He gave it a quick sniff before going back to his original position.
"I don't think he likes you." Lilly said standing next to Miley and observing the horse's behaviour.
"He's more likely thinking that I had food."
"I'd be interested in you if you were covered in chocolate."
"I could arrange that, hand me that halter." Miley said changing the subject abruptly. Lilly gave Miley a cheeky grin and did as she was told. "Hey boy." Miley opened the door and held out her hand once more. The horse still wasn't interested, but allowed Miley to slip the halter over him and lead him out of the box. "Here, hold him Lil; I wanna get a proper look." Lilly held on to the rope and looked at the horse with fear. "What do you think?" Miley said to her girlfriend as she wandered round the horse.
"Ginger? Big?" She said looking up at the horse.
"Ginger?" Miley questioned before laughing. "A ginger horse is called chestnut Lils. I s'pose he is big and will get bigger."
"Bigger?" Lilly looked as if this idea was absurd.
"I like him." Miley finally said. "Seems a nice sort, chilled too. Tie him up and I'll grab some brushes, we'll see how he goes from there." Miley came back with a bucket full of brushes. "Lil just remember he isn't one of our horses, we don't know what he is used to. Act around him how I taught you when you first started doing stuff with Blue Jeans. He might have ticklish spots or places he doesn't like us going near."
"I don't think I wanna go near him."
"Just do as I say and you'll be fine."
"Ok." Lilly said grabbing a dandy brush and working on the horse's neck.
"Relax. Horse's pick up on body language; you look like Uncle Earl when he decided to run after that ice cream truck."
Lilly watched Miley slide her hands down his legs and pick up each of his hooves in turn. "He doesn't seem too phased; he seems to be quite well handled. I'm just gonna grab some tack."
Lilly watched Miley before turning back to the horse. Copying Miley, Lilly held out her hand and allowed the horse to sniff it. He was far more interested this time, Lilly smiled as she felt a warm, wet, soft tongue lick the palm of her hand. "You like me?" She smiled and gently lifted up her other hand to rub the horse's forehead. She noticed how his ears flopped to the side and his eyelids began to close. Lilly hoped that this was good. "You are quite nice." She looked at the horse that was happily making his way up Lilly's arm.
Miley came back carrying tack and looked over at the horse who seemed engrossed in Lilly. "Seems like you've made a friend."
"He's cute. If his ears are floppy is that good?"
"Yeah, means they're relaxed." Miley watched the horse make his way up past Lilly's elbow. "Steady on bud, you're heading in to my territory." She laughed before dumping the saddle on the floor. "Lil, any chance I can get in there?"
"Sorry." Lilly stepped back and let Miley in.
"Hey." Miley said softly to the horse before presenting the bridle at him. "How's this?" Lilly noted how soft and low Miley's voice was she was so gentle when it came to animals. Miley pushed her thumb in the edge of the horse's mouth and slipped the bit in before pushing the rest of the bridle over his head. "See, that's ok. You know what this all about. Lil, could you grab the saddle for me?"
"Yeah, why aren't you putting it on?" She asked picking it up.
"Because I don't know what he has done, I don't want him to freak out. Just carry it out to the round pen and put it on the fence. When I lead him, stay on the left and walk next to me, if he doesn't anything drop the saddle and get yourself out of the way."
"What about you?" Lilly looked a little concerned.
"Don't worry about me. I shouldn't think he will do anything, just being precautious as I don't know him. Right, ready Lil?" She said grabbing the horse by the reins and leading him forward. "C'mon boy." Miley quietly walked out with Lilly and headed straight for the round pen. "Could you close the gate please?" Miley said as she stood the horse in the middle and faced him. Lilly took up her position on the fence to watch her girlfriend play with a horse.
Miley began by walking towards the horse; he kept his eyes on her and stood quietly in the pen. Miley stepped closer and the horse still didn't move, she poked him with her index finger. The horse looked a bit perplexed at this and continued to stand still, she poked harder. He shifted one leg back as Miley poked again before he moved all four feet. "Good." She gave him a small stroke on the face before backing away a couple of steps, the horse tried to follow her. "No." She said firmly before putting him back where he was and staring again. He took another step. Miley did the same as before and successfully walked 3 steps backwards before returning to him. "Good boy." Lilly watched as Miley went back to poking the horse on the shoulder. She wondered what on earth Miley was doing to that poor horse; he looked utterly confused to Lilly. She really couldn't see the point in what her girlfriend was doing.
Lilly sat there for another fifteen minutes as Miley walked around the horse in all directions before getting him to move his body over from the side. "You're a good boy." Lilly heard once more as Miley got the horse to successfully follow her and halt as she turned.
"Hey Lilly." The southern drawl came from Mamaw as she approached the pen. "How's it going?"
"I have no idea."
"Miley!" Mamaw called over before waving a hand.
Miley came wandering over with the horse following. "Yeah?"
"How's it going?"
"Yeah, he seems to know what he is doing, someone has done this with him before."
"And Miley?"
"Yeah?"
"Explain to Lilly what you are doing, she doesn't know. Don't leave her on the fence; it must be boring for her."
"Sorry Lil didn't mean to."
"It's ok. I do want to know what you were doing with him though."
"You want a horse to respect you on the ground before you get on them."
"And that's what you're doing, all that poking and moving about? That will make him respect you?" This was about as confusing as algebra to Lilly.
"Miley! Explain!" Mamaw told her again.
"Sorry. What I was doing reflects what the leader would do in a herd. It's like showing dominance."
"So you're the leader?" Lilly said, the pieces finally clicking in to place. "Oh ok, I get it."
"Here, pass the saddle pad."
"Please." Lilly said as she held the pad just out of her girlfriend's reach.
"I'm glad someone's keeping Miss Montana in check." Mamaw laughed at Lilly.
"Please." Miley said giving Lilly a pout.
"Here." She said handing her the pad. "Why aren't you putting the saddle on him too?" Lilly was now far more curious and feeling much bolder to ask questions.
"If he hasn't been broken then I don't wanna freak him out by dumping a saddle before wrenching the cinch around him."
"Broken? He hasn't been hurt has he?" Lilly looked worried, she was rather fond of the horse in a strange way.
"Oh no darlin'." Mamaw laughed. "Broken means they can accept a saddle and bridle, most cases a rider too."
"Idiot." Lilly muttered to herself.
"Don't be. You weren't brought up with horses, you aren't to know." Mamaw turned back to her granddaughter who was happily humming to herself as she presented the pad to the horse before placing it on his back. "Well he don't seem fazed." Mamaw said watching him like a hawk.
"Na, he's been pretty good so far. Let's see what he thinks of the saddle." She said lifting it off the fence and walking back over to the horse. Miley moved it around on her arms so that it jingled, he still didn't batter an eyelid. "Alright boy. Let's see." She raised the saddle and gently placed it on him. The horse raised his head before letting it drop back to its previous position. "Now the cinch." Miley said as she bent underneath him and pulled it round just enough to rub him across the belly. "Well you're the most chilled four year old I've ever come across." Miley said as she slowly began to tighten the cinch. "There." The horse shifted a foot as Miley went to stroke his neck. "He's so good Mamaw; I think you've got a good'un here."
"I know, he was so relaxed at the sales, he's rather eye catching too. Have you thought of a name for him yet?"
"No. Though Lilly did say something that made me think earlier. Walk on." Miley said as she led him around the pen.
"What? Me?" Lilly said as if she had been accused of something horrific.
"What was the first thing you said about him?"
"Ginger?" Lilly said with a questioning tone. "You want to call the horse ginger?"
"Yeah." Miley nodded as she continued walking him around the pen.
"Poor thing." Mamaw said. "Not very original."
"But it is the first thing you notice about him, he is bright ginger, you can't miss him!" Miley pointed out as she came to a halt by Lilly and Mamaw.
"Alright, Ginger it is. If anybody asks I'm telling them that you named him."
"That's alright. Now Ginger, let's see what you think of having me on your back." Miley said gathering the reins and looping them round the horn. She placed her foot in the stirrup and bounced. "Up we go." She said pulling herself up and sitting in one smooth motion. "There, that's alright isn't it?" She said stroking the horse's neck. "Walk on." She said giving him a squeeze, the horse happily obliged and walked around the pen quietly as lamb, albeit slowly. Miley let him make his own way around for the first couple of times before gently guiding him with the reins. "Somebody has defiantly taught him well. Right, c'mon bud, pick up a bit." Miley said giving him another nudge. The horse picked up a good walking pace and strode round the pen confidently. "What do you think Mamaw?"
"Seems to have a good walk on him. Push him up a notch Miley, I wanna see him move."
"Alright Mamaw! I've only just got on him, let him settle and me have a feel."
"Sounds like sex." Lilly muttered to herself.
"What's that Lilly?" Mamaw asked with a slight frown, she wasn't sure exactly what she heard.
"Don't worry." Lilly said going crimson. "What's Miley trying to do?" Lilly asked, attempting to change the subject, she knew full well but she was sure that Mamaw had heard her ramblings.
"She just wants t be sure him before asking anymore."
Lilly gave a nod as she watched Miley happily pushed the horse around the pen, Lilly wondered how on earth Miley was so easy and relaxed with Ginger, she would be so nervous sitting on a horse she didn't know. "How does he feel Miles?"
"Fine, his back was up a little to begin with, he feels quite calm now."
Lilly lent over to Mamaw. "What does that mean?"
"It means he's fine."
"Oh."
"I'm gonna try trotting." Miley called over to her girlfriend and Mamaw, they both remained silent as Miley gave Ginger a tight squeeze and a click of the tongue. "C'mon boy." The horse refused to trot and continued to walk faster, Miley asked once more. "Oh get on!" She raised her voice and dug her heels in to the horses' side, much to his annoyance.
"He looks pleased." Mamaw commented idly.
Lilly watched as Miley sat to the trot, her body absorbing the motion of Ginger. Lilly hadn't quite mastered the art of sitting to the trot, she still had to hold on to the horn for support, she hoped someday she would look like Miley on a horse. "Mamaw, how long has Miley been riding?"
"Oh, well, she was plonked on as a baby, but she actually learnt to ride about three. Susan used to put her on Shadow and lead off her own horse, I'm sure we've got a photo of it somewhere if you'd like to see."
Lilly smiled at the thought of a young Miley on a horse. "Yeah, that would be nice to see." She looked back over to her girlfriend, she looked so magnificent.
"Doesn't respond that well to the leg." Miley called over as she reined the horse across the pen.
"He's moving fine Miley." Mamaw called back.
"I know that, it's just a job to keep him going."
"Well give him a boot."
Miley did as she was asked and the horse gave a grunt and pulled the reins almost of Miley's hands. "You little fff..."
"Language!" Mamaw yelled at her granddaughter.
"Fluffy thing!" Miley said with a smile as Mamaw looked at Lilly who was rolling her eyes.
After five or so minutes of trotting Miley pulled up next to her girlfriend and Mamaw. "I don't think he's worked like this in a while, not to mention me." Miley blew out. "This is hard comparison to our horses."
"That's because your Mum and Dad put the hard work in, now it's your turn."
"Yeah yeah, I get the point. You think I should try a lope?" She stroked the horse's damp neck.
"Don't see why not, he seems to know what he's doing, even if he's a little idle. Knock yourself out kiddo."
"I hope you don't mean that literally Mamaw." Miley said with a smile as she rode off.
Lilly looked at Miley and back to Mamaw with a worried face. "Don't panic darlin'." Mamaw rubbed Lilly's shoulder. "Miley's ridden a fair few horses in her time, she'll be fine. That girl has a bum made of glue."
Miley trotted Ginger around the pen trying to gather as much energy underneath her as she could to ask for a lope. The horse was still reluctant. "Come on boy." She said softly before a couple of clicks of her tongue. She did one more circuit around the pen before pushing for a lope, when the horse refuse to go up the next gear Miley got cross. "Get on!" Lilly heard a low growl emit from her girlfriend's throat; Ginger still refused to do anything. Miley gave the horse a hefty boot and raised her voice. "Move you little shit!" This time the horse responded, just not in the way that Miley wanted it. He plunged his head between his front legs and let off an enormous buck; much to Lilly's horror. "On!" Miley's voice was loud and clear as she clamped her legs around the horse. He continued to pull Miley forward in the saddle, all the while she attempted to get his head from the floor. With a large boot Ginger's head shot up and Miley quickly pulled the reins back as she urged the horse on. "Good boy." She said with a soft but yet confident voice. "Good lad. Keep going." She gave another couple of clicks.
After a good couple of minutes of Ginger refusing to do a circuit without a buck here and there he began settle underneath Miley. "Good boy." She said quietly. She did one more circuit before asking the horse to come down to a trot. "What do ya think Mamaw?" Miley asked.
"I like him; he'll make a nice horse. You can look after him and ride him while you're here." With that Mamaw hopped off the fence and headed back towards the house.
"What do you think Lil?" Miley asked, dropping her rein contact and allowing the horse to have his head a she walked him around.
"Can I rename him Psycho?"