Marianne approached the white horse with a sense of newfound confidence. Before mounting, she gently touched the horse's nose, placing her forehead against it in a silent gesture of trust and understanding. It was her way of communicating to the horse that it could trust her, that she meant no harm. The horse seemed to understand, settling down and remaining still. With the horse now calm, Marianne slowly climbed onto its back. This time, the horse didn't bolt or run. It remained still, responding to Marianne's calm and gentle demeanor. It was a small victory, but a significant one for Marianne, marking an important step in her journey to master horse riding. Once comfortably seated in the saddle, Marianne took hold of the reins, guiding the horse to walk slowly. To her delight, the horse obeyed, moving at the gentle pace she had commanded. Marianne looked over at Ace, her face beaming with pride. Ace simply nodded in acknowledgement, maintaining his stoic demeanor and not returning her smile. Despite his cold exterior, his nod was enough validation for Marianne. She had taken her first successful steps in mastering horse riding, and she had done it with Ace's guidance. "Don't look at me, look at the horse's ears, or else you'll bump into something," Ace advised her, following closely behind on his own horse. Marianne nodded in understanding, responding with a simple, "Oh, alright." She then redirected her gaze to the horse's ears, taking Ace's advice to heart. It was clear that Ace was not just teaching her to ride a horse, but also guiding her on how to be aware of her surroundings, an essential skill for any rider. "If a horse's ears are pinned back against its head, it typically indicates that the horse is mad or agitated," Ace explained to Marianne. As Marianne observed the horse, she noticed that its ears were indeed in that position. Concerned, she turned to Ace and asked, "How do I calm this horse down, Ace?" Her gaze remained focused on the horse's ears, seeking guidance from Ace on how to handle the situation."Take a moment to evaluate the environment and the horse's behavior as a whole. Look for other signs of distress or aggression, such as a raised tail, bared teeth, or tense body posture. This will help you determine if the horse is simply irritated or if there is a more serious issue," Ace advised Marianne. "It's important to avoid actions that may further aggravate the horse. This includes loud noises, sudden movements, or touching sensitive areas without the horse's trust and consent."
Marianne followed Ace's guidance and allowed the horse to stop for a while, hoping to calm it down. However, the horse seemed unresponsive and continued walking on its own, disregarding Marianne's attempts to control it. This behavior indicated that there might be a deeper issue at hand, and Marianne needed to approach the situation with caution and seek further guidance from Ace. Upon witnessing the horse's continued disobedience, Ace quickly took action. He halted his own horse and swiftly dismounted. Grabbing hold of the horse's reins, he exerted control over the situation. However, the horse unexpectedly reared up without warning, causing Marianne to lose her balance. Fortunately, Marshall, managed to catch her before she fell. Meanwhile, Ace focused on calming the agitated horse, softly uttering, "Shush, shush," in an attempt to soothe it. After some time, the horse gradually calmed down, responding more to Ace's commands than to Marianne's. Ace took the opportunity to inspect the horse, checking for any signs of discomfort or issues with its body or saddle. To his surprise, everything appeared to be in order. "The horse might be acting this way because you're having difficulty maintaining your balance," Ace suggested to Marianne, trying to offer a possible explanation. However, Marianne responded with frustration, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "Tch! The horse just hates me, that's it!" she exclaimed, feeling disheartened by the situation.
Ace understood Marianne's frustration but remained determined to help her overcome the challenges she was facing with the horse. He knew that building trust and improving her riding skills would be crucial in establishing a better connection with the horse. "Let's give it another try," Ace suggested calmly. Marianne hesitated initially, but after a few minutes, she mustered the courage to mount the horse once more. Ace attentively observed her as she rode, noting her posture and movements. Approaching Marianne, Ace gently tapped her back as a way of providing guidance. "I see. You have a poor posture when riding a horse. Keep your back straight," Ace advised Marianne. Taking his advice to heart, Marianne straightened her back, adopting a more confident and balanced position. As Marianne adjusted her posture, the horse turned its attention towards her. It seemed to sense the change in her demeanor and posture, possibly indicating that the horse was more receptive to her now. This was an encouraging sign, suggesting that Marianne's efforts to improve her riding skills were paying off.
With a gentle smile, Marianne expressed her newfound confidence to the horse. In response, the horse emitted a soft neigh, indicating its comfort and acceptance of her. This positive interaction further solidified the bond between Marianne and the horse. Feeling more at ease, Marianne gave the command for the horse to walk forward, and the horse obediently complied, taking confident steps. Ace, recognizing the progress Marianne had made, mounted his own horse and joined her, riding alongside to provide support and guidance. As they continued their ride together, Marianne and Ace formed a harmonious duo, their connection with the horses growing stronger with each passing moment. It was a testament to the power of patience, perseverance, and understanding in building a successful partnership between a rider and their horse.
Ace offered Marianne some valuable advice on how to communicate effectively with the horse. "Use short and consistent words like 'trot' or 'gallop' as verbal cues," he advised. He emphasized the importance of combining these verbal cues with other aids or signals to ensure clear communication. "Move your hands forward along with leg pressure to signal the horse to lengthen its stride. Keep your hands level and raised," Ace continued, explaining the proper hand position and movement to convey the desired action to the horse. He also mentioned that applying gentle inward pressure with the leg or foot can cue the horse to go forward and increase speed. By following these instructions, Marianne would be able to establish a clear line of communication with the horse, using both verbal and physical cues to guide its movements. This would enhance their coordination and enable them to work together more effectively during their ride.