Arepas Racing Stables | Literate | Thread | OPEN

     Snow threw her head to the side. "Lot's of people, are there? And many flashes, too. Really gave me a spook" She neighed angrily. "Honestly, I wish I could go over there and bite all of them in the rear. Then we would all have a good laugh, and they'll know not to mess with us again. Was I exaggerating that?"

     Diva had to at least try to stand. She'd rather try, and know she couldn't then not try at all. To her amazement she could stand. The mare didn't know how, but she could. "They probably heard about what happened last night. I probably would still be out there if it wasn't for Snow going after me. She's the hero," Diva said. The mare's gaze went to the track watching a horse train on the track through the window, and sighed. 

     If horses could blush, Snow was definitely doing it (but they can't, so she wasn't). She looked out her stall window and became even more restless. She was absolutely exhausted from last night, but at the same time, she wanted to get out there and gallop. Maybe that's a little selfish of me. I'd rather stay here and make sure Diva is alright, She convinced herself. "Don't fret about it, Diva. You're here now, safe and sound, and that's what matters."

     Diva didn't say anything as she carefully turned around in her stall. The only thing she could think about was her dream. Would she ever step hoof on a track again? The thought made her feel angry. If she didn't grow up the way she did she would of never spooked, jumped the fence, and be in the situation she is in now. Even if she would race again, it could be weeks or even months. Diva sighed and looked at her bandaged leg. She could not put any pressure on it. There's hundreds, thousands of racehorses who never raced again after a leg injury she thought. 

     Snow stayed quiet, deciding it would be better to leave Diva to her own thoughts. If I say anything offensive, it'll just get worse. She hoofed the ground a couple more times before she moved to eat from the haynet. Her injury can't render her useless for very long, right? She wondered in her head. No, she's going to be fine. In just a few months she'll be up and galloping about like the prideful filly she was before the incident, She shook the thought off. 

     Diva eventually ate a little awhile after. At least I won a race she thought. Later that day, Charlotte carefully led Diva out of her stall to get cleaned up. Her coat was thick with dried mud and dirt. Charlotte carefully washed the mare. Diva was still weak, but she could stand on her three legs on her own. It felt good to be rid with all the dirt and mud, as Diva felt a bit better once Charlotte was finished.

     Snow watched as Diva was led out by Charlotte. She followed them with her eyes until she couldn't see them from the small window anymore, and then she went back to eating. I wonder when my first race will be. Or, perhaps, I wasn't meant to race at all. I'm quite slow and I can't speed up as quickly as Diva and Vinn can, so am I good for anything other than endurance, really? 

     Vinn could feel the mood drop after the short responses and turned her attention to a rotten apple that sat wasting away in the corner. When Diva was led away, Vinn tried again to initiate a conversation. "If it is just her leg, and the exhaustion from losing all that blood- I think she'll race again." Vinn excited at that because she remembered today was the day she could finally start training again. "It just might be a slow recovery, that's all..." Vinn quickly changed the subject after that, focusing on Snow's faraway look. Vinn had noticed Snow's stellar stamina when they were training, and paired with her sullen look, realized what Snow was probably thinking about. "You know- every horse runs a different race. No one has the same take-off speed, or acceleration rates, or even endurance. You are really good at holding your own out on the track. Once you're in a race, I'll bet not a single horse will pass you after the first stretch. You'll just climb up the ranks from there..." Vinn stole a look at the track and continued. "Maybe we could train together, a little competition might help you out- speed you up in the first bits."

     Once Charlotte was finished washing and grooming Diva carefully she walked the mare around slowly. Diva limped a lot because she couldn't put any weight on her injured leg. Charlotte was careful though, not going too fast and let Diva go at her own pace. Once the two were done, Charlotte put Diva back into her stall. Diva didn't realize it, but she was healing quicker than expected.

     Snow looked at Vinn appreciatively. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks. I needed that. And I'm sure Diva will be fine. I know that, of course, the issue is with her believing it" Snow focused on Vinn. "I would love to train with you. I'm fired up and ready to go!" She walked toward the stall door and looked at the stable entrance, wondering if someone would come in soon to take them outside. 

     Vinn nodded, agreeing to Snow's statements. She followed Snow's glance to the doors, and right on cue Nia and another exercise rider appeared, as well as a trainer. "Right on time... and a trainer too, interesting..." Vinn snorted, greeting Nia, and a few grooms followed, retrieving Snow and Vinn to be brushed. Once finally out on the track. Vinn and Nia took a minute to warm up and let Snow and her rider go do their own warmup. Vinn, being the social butterfly she was, was too interested in the new trainer to focus and inched her way closer to him. Shy slyly stole his hat, and after a stern pat from Nia continued with the warmup. Nia and the man chatted for a moment, and Nia revealed the man wanted to see how Snow and Vinn would do in a run to the 5/8 pole. 

     Diva stood in her stall not paying attention to the other two. It did feel good to be outside, but it wasn't enough. The mare was depressed. She was always racing with the wind whenever she could. Now, it'd probably be months before she can. She was angry at herself. It was her fault all of this happened.

     Snow didn't know who her exercise rider was, and she was being stubborn with him. She would pull on the reins, chew at the bit, and she would refuse to move everytime she stopped, which was a lot of times. But after a while, she got accustomed to her rider, and she became more willing to do what he asked. He had urged her trot and cut through the arena every so often, which she would do with slight hesitance, and he focused mainly on her gaites, trying to get her to switch between walking, trotting, and cantering as much as possible. 
     When a few minutes had passed, Snow trotted over to Vinn and Nia. She nickereed at the trainer, whom she had never seen before, and neighed in a friendly manner at Vinn. 

     Vinn answered the greeting, and Nia ushered Vinn over to the starting gate. Vinn waited until Snow was beside her, and asked, "Do you know who that trainer was? He feels familiar, but I can't quite put my hoof on it." Vinn focused on matching her breath to her steps, something she tended to do before she was put in the gates. She hated the starting gate, so matching her breath helped distract herself. "Hey Snow, watch your hooves on the way out. Push yourself forward, and try to speed up as much as you can without tiring. It's only to the 5/8th's, so it's the perfect time to work on acceleration. If you had any tips on footwork, I'd love to hear them." Vinn readied herself to launch out of the gate and listened for Snow's answer. 

     Snow looked around the gates nervously. She didn't like feeling cramped. Her stall was bad enough but this was even worse. She focused on the ground beneath her feet instead and worked on her reply for Vinn. "I don't think I'm the right filly for this. Maybe you should ask Diva. She taught me a bit about accelerating but not footwork. Just... go with the flow. Feel the wind on your mane and let that guide you to the finish. Perhaps that's a bit too cliche, huh?" She snorted and hoofed the ground in anticipation. I got this. Try to focus on acceleration and speed, not endurance. I can do that, She tried mentally. Somehow, she guessed that wouldn't happen. Her past owner had trained her for endurance, telling her it would be very useful. That had stuck to her, obviously, so she found it hard to think that her morale might change in just a few short minutes.