Trickster

Chapter Five

Dr. Mac and Mr. Quinn are standing watching Trickster munch on hay. David approaches and asks how Trickster’s leg is. He lifts his head, nickers, and shakes his head. Dr. Mac turns, surprised, and says his leg should heal without any problems. David eagerly asks how soon until he can ride him. Or… how soon until he can be ridden. Dr. Mac says she isn’t sure yet. If he’s let loose in a pasture, he may reinjure himself. If he’s kept in a stall, that’s a risk, too.

Mr. Quinn says he doesn’t have the staff to walk him. David says he’ll walk Trickster. The words popped out before he even knew what he was saying. David volunteers to come as soon as school gets out, staying until dark, and coming in the morning. Dr. Mac raises her eyebrows. Mr. Quinn crosses his arms. He asks what David gets out of it.

David bluntly states that he’ll get to ride him. David will do whatever Trickster needs, and when he’s better, Mr. Quinn will let David ride him. There’s a moment of silence, and then Dr. Mac says that David has been very helpful at the clinic lately.

Mr. Quinn sternly explains that he’ll need to be walked forty-five minutes each morning and night, and he shouldn’t get too warm. David would be responsible for reporting back if his leg swells or he limps or trips. David nods and says he’ll do whatever Mr. Quinn needs. And he won’t wander off again.

Mr. Quinn relaxes and chuckles. David reminds him of his father. David doesn’t know how to respond. He doesn’t like to talk about his dad with anyone. Finally, Mr. Quinn says they have a deal. If David proves himself with Tricker, he’ll ride him later. But no fooling around, and no shenanigans.

Dr. Mac says the first thing is that he needs a walk. No trotting or no kicking up his heels. Mr. Quinn says they can do it now. David should follow the girls with their horses and observe how he reacts to other horses.

By the time David gets to the exercise ring, the girls are standing next to their horses, all of whom David recognizes. Maggie with Gus, Zoe with Claiborne, Sunita with Gertie, and Brenna with Blitzen. Farrah is standing next to them, saddled and ready to go. David is sad for a second that he won’t get to ride, but that’s okay. Trickster will leave Farrah in the dust when he’s better. Wait ‘til the others hear the news.

David climbs on the gate and hollers out that he’s going to ride Trickster! Blitzen snorts and skitters sideways. Brenna clutches his reins, but Blitzen bumps into Gertie’s rear end. Linda demands everyone stay calm. She tells David not to pull any more stunts. David apologizes, saying he was just excited. He’s not riding today because Mr. Quinn is going to let him work with Trickster.

Linda, unphased, simply responds he looks like a fun horse. She tells them all to mount up. Zoe mounts perfectly. She places her left boot carefully in the left stirrup so she doesn’t poke the horses’ side, hops straight up, freezes for an instant to let Claiborne get used to her weight, and swings her right leg over the side. After both feet are in the stirrups, she sits lightly int he saddle. She wasn’t kidding. She has ridden before.

Maggie struggles a bit more, but pulls herself into Gus’ saddle. Linda helps Sunita and Brenna up and shows them how to put their feet in the stirrups and lean forward.

Linda stands in the middle of the ring and guides them all in squeezing their heels to get their horses to walk. Nice and slow, to allow them all time to get to know the horse, and to give the horse a chance to get to know them. Horses are sensitive creatures. They can tell when their rider is nervous, happy, or sick. They should relax.

Under her breath, Brenna whispers it’s easy for the horse—the horse is standing on the ground. If David didn’t know better, he’d guess Brenna is nervous. But Brenna’s not afraid of anything, not even snakes, which David hates.

Maggie says it’s not so bad. When can they gallop? Maggie can do anything athletic.

Linda has the riders practice starting and stopping and lets them circle the ring. Then, she opens the gate that leads outside and swings herself onto her own horse. He’s a heavy build, maybe with some Clydesdale blood in him. He certainly wasn’t built for speed. It’s time to head onto the trail. Linda will go first, followed by Sunita, Maggie, Zoe, Brenna, and David last with Trickster.

Brenna hangs back a second. David asks if she’s okay. Brenna mutters that of course she’s okay. She’s not afraid of anything. She urges Blitzen forward, and David follows her out.

Trickster is waiting at the gate with Mr. Quinn. Mr. Quinn hands the lead rope to David, and tells him to take it slowly. Follow directions, and be careful.

They all begin walking, and Trickster picks up his feet quickly, as if he wants to trot. David puts his hand on Trickster’s shoulder and tells him they’re not running today. Trickster snorts. David can’t blame him. After being cooped up in the trailer and the stall. And it’s a perfect day…

But nope. No running today.