Closed Saddles in Spring (Olaf)

[Letixia Raigner]

Leti found it interesting that the man sought out Dira when stressed. It wasn't the most unusual thing she'd ever heard, but it certainly wasn't common either. He was probably from a city that worshiped her more than most would. She was a bit embarrassed having scared him as such with a simple observation. The thought of having to put a horse down for having bad teeth seemed monstrous to her. She made a mental note to be extra careful when putting the bit in when she had to do it on her own. Then he told her that it was time to get on the horse. She gulped, and fought down the rising nervousness once more. She stepped up, sliding her left foot into the leather strap. She'd slipped her arm through the reins, knowing full well that if she had a grip on them, and did something wrong, instinct would be to tug at them. With her right hand she reached up to the nobbly horn on the saddle and gripped it tight. She bounced on the ball of her right foot a few times, then sprang upwards with both thighs. She felt her weight shift as she rose, and her foot slipped a bit in the stirrup. Panicking, her leg barely cleared the horse as it swung over, her grip on the horn so tight her hand was glowing white. But she'd managed to not yank on the reins. Now that she was up here, it didn't seem as bad. She had always been tall, but this certainly was a different feeling. She wondered if this was how some gods felt, always looking down on the people below. Tightening her stomach and back muscles, she straightened her posture. It was one aspect of this she could excel at, since proper posture was needed for nearly all aspects of her trainings. She slipped her right foot into the other stirrup and readjusted her left. Then she smiled, for now, she was on a horse.

[Olaf]

"Good you're on!" Olaf said with a smile. He walked around, giving a lookover at how she was sitting on the horse. "The stirrups are still a bit high, a moment." He loosened them slightly. "Should be a bit more comfortable for you. Don't worry about not getting that completely right from the first time though. Everybody has to readjust sometimes, unless they have their own saddle that they keep the same all the time." He reassured her, not sure if he could have offended her with that comment. Probably not, but you never knew. "You're on the horse now. Just take the reigns in your hand now. Keep a firm grip on them so you don't accedentally drop it. The commands are simple, pulling the reigns with your left or right hand steers it in that direction. Pulling them towards you makes it go slower and eventually stop and pushing your heels into it's flanks makes him go faster." He gave her a basic laydown. "Don't worry about running into things,igor is a smart and rather passive horse. He won't do anything that would drop the rider and doesn't like going fast when the rider is unsure. The stable master trained him that way I think. Or maybe it's just his personality, no clue." Olaf said with a giant grin on his face. "Why don't you try to ride slowly towards the fence and then take a turn to the left? walking along the fence for a while before stopping? Just lightly tap your heels against his flank, that''ll make him go forward. then pull your left reign towards you to make the turn." Olaf explained before taking a few steps backwards so she and Igor had space to work.

[Letixia Raigner]

She heard her instructor's praise and smiled just a bit wider. She watched as he adjusted her stirrups, noting that it would be a bit more of a bother to do from up in the saddle. Picking up the reins as instructed, she held them firmly in front of her, realizing that it was now time to steer this beast of burden. She tapped him extra lightly on the sides with her heels, to no avail. Perhaps she'd gone too lightly. So she tapped him a bit more firmly, doing her best to not hurt him. He started moving forward, much to her relief. She was enjoying her view of the world from atop her trusty steed. Nearly all of her nervousness was gone, him inching forward as she held his reins steady. The pair were on a direct course for the fence, and as they neared, Leti pulled the reins to the left. Apparently she'd pulled a bit too hard, for instead of walking parallel to the fence he'd meandered too far, and was now angling away. She pulled to the right, trying to straighten him out. After several attempts of tugging one way, then fighting the other, she got him to go straight. Plodding a long for a bit, she then pulled a hard left turn, getting him to about face, and made her way back to her instructor, her face sore from the giant grin it bore. It still took a few tries to get him to straighten up, but she was learning to use a softer hand rather than a firmer one. So caught up in her success though, she didn't remember to pull at the reins as the pair came closer and closer to Olaf.

[Olaf]

Olaf just watched as letixia steered the horse as good and well as he could a smile on his face as she actually didn't do too bad a job about it. She oversteered at parts and she was a bit overly carefull to not hurt the horse. But he couldn't really fault her that, let her discover how much force was enough on her own. She had to develop a feel for it anyway. When she turned around and steered igor back into his direction. A smile on her face as if she just managed to conquer the drykas horders all by herself he couldn't help it and let out a laugh. “Good job on that!” Unlike her though, who was so caught up with steering the horse that she didn't notice that she was getting closer and closer to olaf. Olaf was paying attention to her. Because, just as an old crotchety ghost told him when he was younger. 'Always keep an eye on the novices, because you never know what stupidity those idiots will do next, or even worse, won't do.' Olaf easily stepped out of her way. “I know you're enjoying it! But keep your eyes on where you're going. Not a big deal now, but when you're going faster you might run into something. You got better vision then the horse from up there, you're steering as well. So always keep your eyes open.” He gently criticized her. “Still you're doing great for a complete novice. Why don't you try a few more rounds and then I'll show you how to do the aftercare of a horse if you're still up for it.” Olaf offered.

[Letixia Raigner]

She blushed profusely, realizing that she could've run Olaf over because she wasn't paying attention. Ser Ranqor would scold her soundly for not minding the entire situation. Listening to his advice, and suggestion, she nodded, then turned back to the fence, albeit with a distinct amount of effort. Reining in Igor until they were parallel to the fence, she decided to try something. Since he was already on a forward course, she set the reins around the horn of the saddle. Then, mimicking what she'd seen from some of the more accomplished squires and knights, she held her arms up. Her left was stiff and held in front of her, as if holding her shield. Her right held a bit in front of her mimicking the grip and position of a sword. Immediately she felt her balance shifting to the left and she had to force herself to lean to the right to keep herself in place. Thinking to herself, 'How do they stay atop here in full armor, charge, and fight? How do they not get knocked off at the first attack?' She tried a swing of her 'sword' and nearly fell off the right side of the horse, forcing herself to grab onto the horn to not end up eating grass. She pulled herself back up, only to see Igor looking back at her, while he maintained his forward walk. "Everything's fine back here, thanks." She looped him, in an excessively wide circle, around the end of the fence and straightened him out. Once more she tried to swing her sword of air, and found her balance faltering. How does one hold onto the horse, without hands? She then had an idea. Gripping with her knees and thighs, she tried the sword swing once more. She felt her balance shift some, but her grip held her roughly in place. But she also realized the strain this must cause on the legs if done for a long time. Happy with her little self discovery, she slowly made her way back to Olaf, remembering to stop in time. She figured getting off the horse was easier than getting on. She unhooked her right foot from the stirrup, and tried to swing it over the back of the horse. This ended with her falling out of the other stirrup and landing on her back, staring up at the sky. Igor bent down, rubbing his nose against her forehead. She patted him on the jaw, "Thanks for checking on me buddy." Pulling herself up slowly, she didn't feel anything injured, save her pride. Pretending nothing happened, "So, aftercare?"

[Olaf]

Olaf just watched with a slight frown on his face as she tried to do some wierd things while on the back of the horse. "I don't know what you're trying to do while sitting like that, but I really would advice against it. You're just starting out with riding a horse." He warned her, trying to make his voice sound stern. Though the meek tone did ruin that. He just watched her as she went through the motions and eventually stopped close to him and tried to get of the horse. Before he could even give her any tips or tricks on it she was already trying her own thing and quite predictably fell out of the saddle and onto the ground. Thank dira the ground was soft or she might have had another customer. Or he might have had another job to deal with. He walked closer, quite relieved to see letixia already scrambling to her feet, olaf just as concerned about her as he was. "You sure you're fine? If you're hurt somewhere I can help you towards the doctor." He offered. he frowned a bit as she just brushed of the fact she fell of a horse. it hurt quite a bit, he knew that from experience. Still, she had proven to be quite pigheaded, he would just keep an eye on her and see if she didn't limp around or something. "Ah, yes. The aftercare. As soon as you're done loosen the belt of the saddle a bit. It's more comfortable for the horse that way." Then we walk him back to the stables for the rest of it. "Also next time you dismount, keep a firmer hold on the saddle as you swing your leg over the horse and don't let go of it till you have one foot on the ground. Otherwise you might get a mouthful of it. And horses shyke where they stand, so I would advice you wash up." He pointed towards her hair. "There is quite a bit hanging on the back of your head." He informed her. He grasped Igor's reigns "I would change your clothes as well while you're on it." He led Igor towards the stales. Hoping that lexi would follow.

[Letixia Raigner]

Leti groaned, and shook what she could of her hair with her hand. Disgusting yes, but she could deal with it, she was nearly done with her training it seemed. "Understood, thank you." Leti followed Olaf and Igor back into the stables somewhat more eager to learn how to finish a horse, then get out of here. They made their way to Igor's stall, Leti watching as he was led in. She waited, watching, then stepped forward and patting Igor on the jaw. "You're a good boy, we make a pretty good team." The squire would watch carefully everything that Olaf needed to show her about taking care of a horse after riding. She figured this might just include removing the saddle and stuff, brushing the fur, and perhaps feeding the horse or something. The moment he was done with his lesson, "Thank you! I really do appreciate all the help you've given me. But I must run and clean up. I hope we meet again!" She shook his hand, and left, beelining for her dorm. She may have shyke in her hair, but at least she was one step closer to Knighthood. OOCOne more reply from you should finish this up. Would you mind turning it in for grading? Then we can begin plotting our next thread

[Olaf]

Olaf let out a meek chuckle at her irritated sigh. Not sure how else to try and placate her. When they made it to igor's stall he quickly began to remove the saddle and the blanket. Throwing the blanket in the washing pile for later. He brushed igor and gave her a few points on what to pay attention too. He also cleaned the hooves. After he had done the aftercare she quickly excused herself. Saying she needed to go and clean herself off. “Sure, I know hors shyke isn't really that nice to have on yourself.” He just replied with a small smile. “Just come back if you need something.” He replied as he shook her hand. She sped off immediately afterwards. Igor gave him a small nudge and looked at him with pleading eyes. Olaf just chuckled. “Sure sure old fella. I'll get you some carrots right after I'm done with my chores.” He patted him on the neck. “Just be patient for a bit more okay?” he said with a smile on his face as he walked out of the stable and went back to work.

[Estrellir Konrath]

Letixia Raigner

Skills
Withheld due to retirement

Lores
Withheld due to retirement

Other
Withheld due to retirement

Olaf

Skills
Horsemanship +2
Observation +2
Teaching +5

Lores
Letixia: active squire
How to saddle & unsaddle a horse
Horse riding equipment
How to mount & dismount a horse

Other
Shield Points +2

Comments

Good training thread! I liked watching you interact with each other and Igor at the same time. Also, I awarded horsemanship instead of animal husbandry because the actions you performed were specific to horses. If you’ve any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me!

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