People: Kirsten Jade, Emma Rose & Ben Mackenzie
Place: Akita Rose Stables
Date: December 10 2013 (January Week Two)
A Breakthrough
in the wall of My Man O War
Kirsten tapped her pen against her notebook with frustration. She was going over the racing card for this upcoming weekend. She was nervous. Five of her six juveniles will be running for their first time and like all juvenile races she had no clue what to expect from them. She just hoped they were all ready. Her gaze skipped over to the name she had circled a few times over - My Man O' War. She was going to have to scratch him from the race. He wasn't ready, physically and talent-wise he was definitely ready but the trust was just not there between them.
She sighed and looked at the clock. She had just enough time to call the track before Charlie and Aaron were due back with the trailer full of new horses. She smiled. She was so excited to get those horses settled in. Some were horses she had previously owned and sold while on her year absence and then re-bought. But some were brand new horses she had purchased and she was really looking forward to seeing them and running them.
A shrill child-like scream sounded from just outside the stable row. Kirsten jumped up and ran out the door, nearly running into her daughter. "Mom! Mano is loose and Ben is cornered!" Kirsten barely heard the last part of her sentence because she was out the door so fast. Sheer terror took control over her body.
Once outside she spied the black colt rearing up dangerously close to the side of the training barn. Six year old Ben was huddled against the barn curled up and crying. Kirsten approached at a fast walk. She didn't want to scare the juvenile further. She almost had a deja view dating back to the time she found his sire, Night Stalker. Please God, let this work. Help him see he can trust me.
She whistled softly to get the horse's attention. Mano whipped his head around and reared again. This time closer to Ben. She put her hand out and approached slowly. "Mano. It's me. I'm here." The black colt's eyes rolled towards the back of his head as he grunted and turned his body a bit. "That's it Mano. Listen to me. I'm not leaving you. I promise." Mano flicked his tail and turned completely towards Kirsten. Ben looked up with huge watery eyes and slowly started to crawl away.
"Good good. It's okay Mano. It's okay." Kirsten continued her sweet talk and slow movements. The black colt stayed where he was. His eyes still filled with rage but slowly softening. She was an arms length away now. She stopped. Would Mano trust her enough to let her grab him? Or would it ruin the trust they built? She stared into his eyes. What do you want from me?
Mano slowly lowered his head and took the first step towards her. Kirsten's heart nearly exploded with relief and gratitude. Was this the breakthrough they needed? She ran her hand up his muzzle and in between his eyes, onto his forehead. Suddenly his head snapped up and he took a step back. Kirsten turned to see Emma approaching carefully with a lead shank. Kirsten reached back and took it from her daughter and then shooed her off.
She faced Mano again with a new found confidence. Mano watched Emma leave. "It's okay Mano, it's just me and you." Mano regarded her for a few minutes before slowly stepped forward again. Was this a start on their path to forgiveness? Kirsten certainly hoped so. Guess she wouldn't be scratching the colt from his race after all.