Blue Ridge is a fictional town located deep in the heart of Kentucky. It is home to one of the most well known equestrian academies in the United States. Students and staff from all over the world join the academy for what it has to offer. Do you have what it takes to join us and learn from the Academy?
Smilys were made by Sapphire Heaven of LiveJournal.
The mini-profile hover follows a tutorial by Kagney of Adoxography.
Photos in the skin used under CC from Flickr.
Post by Tobias Xayarath on Feb 15, 2017 21:27:13 GMT -8
The day was clear, if a bit chilly, so Tux didn't feel bad about having his class meet out in the alley between the pastures. That was where the foals were, anyway! He'd brought out enough chairs for all of the students and one for himself, and he'd set it up so nobody had the sun in their eyes.
While he waited for the students to arrive, he played with the food bins that he'd brought out. They contained the foals' evening ration of grain, but he was hoping that having it early would tempt them closer, for when the students were assigned to meet with their assigned foal. At least, in most cases - He knew already there was one where it probably wouldn't work.
Post by Cara-Jean Kitchi on Feb 15, 2017 21:38:38 GMT -8
Cara pulled her jacket tighter, wishing she'd though to bring a tracksuit down to wear over her jodhpurs, but she didn't have time to think about this as she made her was to the Evening Primrose barn and down to the spot that Mr Xayarath had asked them to meet. Part of her wondered if she should leave her bag in the classroom, but then she might need her notebook, so that remained over her shoulder as she walked to where their teacher was waiting for them.
She bowed her head toward the man, but offered no words in greeting as she waited for things to kick off.
Post by Chase Valentine on Feb 16, 2017 21:14:26 GMT -8
Chase huffed and pulled his scarf tighter. At least it wasn't hot and humid outside. In truth, he preferred cold weather, but autumn was his favorite season. This winter thing was getting old. Still, it looked like the foals had finally arrived. It would be inhuman of him not to be excited about it. He walked faster than usual, and a keep observer would notice that he even had a little bounce in his step.
He smiled at the teacher and noticed that Cara had already shown up. So he smiled at her, too. Part of him hoped that the foal handling class would be an opportunity to get to know her a little better. She'd made a good first impression with him.
But now was a time to make a good first impression with a foal.
Post by Tinsley Elena Rutherford on Mar 6, 2017 14:57:42 GMT -8
The weather made Tinsley pine for Sagaponack, and as classes were beginning to pick up again, all she wanted was to pack her things and fly home- but today was the beginning of foal handling. She nestled her chin under the neck of her long parka, and she was thankful she had thought to wear it. The coat was a thick, puffer type, and the length of it covered her knees. Her Dubarry boots were snug around her calves-she made sure to wear thick wool socks for the day. Nothing made her want to scurry back inside more than cold or wet feet. She crossed her arms as she stepped around to the paddocks and saw a small group beginning to gather, complete with some chairs.
She greeted Mr. Xayarath, and found a seat. She hadn't wanted to sit at all, for she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and merriment at foal handling. She sat anyway, hands clasped around her notebook, and awaited the class eagerly.
Post by Kipling Nevarra on Mar 20, 2017 14:55:21 GMT -8
Kip attempted to get his bearings as he, once again, lost track of where he was on campus. This way? No.. I just came from there.
As the pastures came into view, Kip checked his watch to ensure he wouldn't be late. He was eager to begin foal-handling, his grandfather had allowed him to take part in a bit of it through the weaning period last year. He was sure to step lively as students appeared one by one to join the class. He kept a small Moleskin in his breeches pocket out of habit, and tucked a pen behind his ear. He took a seat and raised a hand in greeting to Mr. Xayarath.
Post by Tobias Xayarath on Mar 24, 2017 19:31:43 GMT -8
Tux smiled at the students as they arrived, inclining his head and returning greetings as they were offered. After it seemed he had everyone who would be coming, Tux stood, smiling, "Alright. Well, welcome to foal handling, again, and this time, we actually have foals." He gestured out at the five weanlings who stood in a bunch in the field.
"I brought the chairs out here thinking we would talk about basic rules and such, but I know what you're all really waiting for, so I'll just be quick. Rules - If you don't know, ask. If you're worried about something or feel uncomfortable, let me know and I'll help or be on hand to observe. You are not to work with these foals outside of my supervision until I give you permission to do so, probably within a week or two of working with them. I don't want any accidents and I'd rather make sure you were all okay with what needs practicing before I set you loose to do it alone. To that end, there won't be any 'homework' for the first few weeks, but after that, I expect you out here at least twice a week outside of class time to work with your assigned foals on whatever I set you for that week." He looked around at the students, "Any questions?"
After the questions, if any, were settled, he picked up the lead ropes, "To make this easier on you, there's grain buckets, and you get lead ropes. Try not to get into each other's way." He untangled the first lead, "Chase, you'll be working with O'Brian, the dark bay filly." At least the foals were all pretty distinct in color! "Tinsley, you will be working with Bates, the shorter bay tobiano with the bald face and blue eyes." Well, the other one was technically a tovero, but he'd rather be descriptive and make it just slightly easier on the students, "Kipling, you will be working with Cora, the taller bay tovero." He dropped one of the remaining leads onto his chair and held out the last one, "And Cara, you'll be working with Carson, the buckskin colt." He glanced to make sure the other students had dispersed at least a little before lowering his voice just a touch, "You did really well last year, and I think you can handle Carson, but if he ends up being too much, just let me know, okay?"
Tobias Ulric Xayarath | 'Tux' | EP Barn Hand + Foal Handling Instructor | 46
Post by Chase Valentine on Mar 24, 2017 20:59:02 GMT -8
Chase, for one, didn't have any questions. Not yet, anyway, and he planned on doing everything he could without asking for help. After all, he'd grown up with foals. Well, he'd had limited time handling them, though. He hoped that foal handling would provide the knowledge he needed to carry on his father's farm.
What was this strange feeling? Excitement? He reached out to gingerly accept the lead rope, bowing his head respectfully. His mismatched eyes scanned the group of foals for a dark bay. He said her name quietly to himself, just so he could remember it. He joined the foals in the field with a grain bucket and the lead rope over his shoulder. He figured the other students were just as eager as he was, and he was going to let them go after their own foals.
Post by Cara-Jean Kitchi on Mar 24, 2017 21:53:10 GMT -8
Cara remembered the rules from the year before, so there was nothing to write down here, and she nodded to the information that they couldn't work with their assigned foal without supervision to start off with, but she was sure that didn't mean she couldn't come and spend some time here just watching the foals when she had finished working with the mare she was working with for reproduction.
She looked over at the small herd as she was told the foal she would be working with, and she accepted the proffered lead. "Thank you." She said as she watched the other students make their way toward the foals. She nodded as Mr Xayarath spoke again. "Thank you, Sir." She said with another nod. "You will be the first to know if I am in need of assistance."
Stepping into the pasture and closed the gate. She closed her eyes and drew in a breath, exhaling through her mouth as the tension flowed out of her before she walked slowly, and calmly, toward the colt she would be working with. She took this time to really look at the weanling; he had an almost perfect star on his forehead, flat profile, small complex muzzle, wide space between his eyes, fluted ears... This was going to be one interesting horse to work with.
She stopped walking when Carson lifted his head to look at her, as it seemed the colt had worked out her intentions and was deciding his next move. She waited, and when the buckskin took a step toward her, she took a step back to reward him for making the first move. She gave the bucket a gentle shake before he could find something else to divert his attention and she smiled as his ears pricked forward and he stepped toward her again, though this time she remained where she was and allowed him to shove his nose into the bucket to make sure she wasn't pulling a nasty trick on him, and when he removed his head from the bucket to actually acknowledge her, and she gently lifted her other hand, the one with the lead rope, and offered it to the colt. When he remained where he was, she stepped to the colt's shoulder and threaded the rope through the ring. As they were all wearing halters, she could guess they were all halter trained, but she didn't want to clip the lead onto the halter in case Carson got a fright and took off, this way she could release one end of the rope and it would slip right through the halter so that he wouldn't have a rope chasing him.
Post by Chase Valentine on Apr 11, 2017 14:53:37 GMT -8
When Cara had her foal, Chase decided it would be alright to catch his. He expected the filly to give him a fair amount of trouble, but it wasn't the trouble he expected. O'Brian snorted, shook her head so her ears flopped around, and marched right up to him. Well, not him. The grain bucket. She shoved her nose in it with enough force to pull Chase's arm. He couldn't help but smile.
He clucked at her and she looked up just long enough for him to move the bucket away. It didn't seem to bother her. She sniffed his hand and he let her, scratching behind her ear with the other. When she lost interest in his scent, he clipped the lead rope on her halter. She lifted her velvety muzzle to sniff some more and he rubbed her shoulder with the lead rope.
She didn't have any markings to speak of - none on her face, none on her legs. She was pristine, he thought, or she would be once he got a chance to groom her.
Post by Tobias Xayarath on May 4, 2017 14:39:30 GMT -8
Tux watched the students as they went out to the field, observing the difference between the two students and their methods. Neither was wrong, and there were plenty of reasons for choosing either, so he wasn't inclined to worry just yet. As the students stood out in the field with their charges, he leaned against the fence, observing their interactions. After a few minutes, he spoke, his voice only loud enough to be heard across the pasture, "You're probably going to be spending plenty of time in the pasture for the first few sessions. While these guys are used to halters, they don't lead very well, so leading and standing while held are going to be your two big starting points." Once they could lead them, things would progress - Tying, grooming, and then on to the 'scary' stuff that went into making a dependable adult horse.
Tobias Ulric Xayarath | 'Tux' | EP Barn Hand + Foal Handling Instructor | 46
Post by Cara-Jean Kitchi on May 4, 2017 18:10:49 GMT -8
Cara bowed her head to show that she had heard their instructor, though she didn't call back an answer; mostly because she didn't want to spook the colt when he was already tolerating so much, and because she didn't have any doubt in the fact that she wouldn't be able to raise her voice to be heard.
Her complete, and undivided, attention returned to the buckskin. "I need to convince you that leading is fun, huh?" She asked the horse, a smile tugging at her lips as he turned an ear toward her, while still searching the bucket for any hiding treasures. "I think we can do that. Just not today." She ran her hand over his shoulder, shaking her head in amusement as his skin rippled as though trying to dislodge a pesky fly. "Today you have done enough by allowing me to approach and hold you. We shall just get to know each other today." Yes, she knew that her words meant nothing to the weanling, but her calm tone and soothing pitch would mean everything to him, and it allowed him to get to know what she sounded like. She didn't want to push him today, as she wanted Carson to look forward to them spending time together.
Post by Chase Valentine on May 7, 2017 12:58:05 GMT -8
Chase turned his head just a bit to catch the teacher's words, much like a dog turning his ear toward a sound. His eyes were still fixed on the foal who was now sniffing his shoes. He nodded to indicate he had heard and understood. It wouldn't be too much trouble to teach the foal to walk. Getting her to stand still was going to be another story entirely.
For now, he continued to scratch her until he found that favored spot. Every horse had one. She stretched her neck out and flexed her upper lip - as one does. "There's a good girl." he said quietly, grinning.
Post by Tinsley Elena Rutherford on May 13, 2017 21:32:26 GMT -8
Tinsley blew out a breath as she picked her foal out of the gathered bunch. Other students were beginning to attract the attention of their designated foals, so she hoped that Bates would be interested enough in a bucket of grain of his very own.
Tinsley picked up a lead and a bucket from where Mr. Xayarath and offered him a smile, though in truth, it was a wince (out of nervousness, perhaps?) Tinsley's facial expressions often betrayed her- she wore her feelings. She steeled her nerves, and went into the pasture with the others. The foals were greedily seeking grain, and she was able to pick Bates out.
"Hi, fella." Bates looked interested enough in Tinsley, and this gave her a boost of confidence. She shook the bucket, and was able to entice him to come over and investigate. Bates shoved his nose into the bucket, and Tinsley allowed him to snuffle and munch on the grain briefly. She kept the lead rope in hand- she was afraid of messing up, and felt that it was too early to complicate matters more with leading.
Bates allowed her to scratch his bald face, and he didn't pull away when she swept her hand over his poll and off of one ear. She gave him another pat on his shoulder and pulled the bucket away from his face. He crowded her, eagar to continue eating, and proceeded to step on her boot in the process.
"Oh! Ow, off." She pushed back at him, and he stepped off of her foot, considering the bucket for another moment. She kept him at arms' length as she lifted her foot to inspect the damage. No major harm was done, but she felt uncomfortable nonetheless. The pair regarded each other for another moment, but Bates took the first step back toward her. Tinsley scooped grain into her hand and placed the bucket behind her. He attempted to suckle/eat at her hand, but nibbled up the grain instead, proceeding to lick her fingers and search her pockets. He whuffed at her chin for a moment, and Tinsley giggled- forgiving Bates for getting into her space. Her heart melted when it came to young horses, she knew it would be trouble if he continued to invade her space, but she knew Bates needed a friend and an individual of support at the moment.
Post by Tobias Xayarath on May 26, 2017 9:54:46 GMT -8
Tux smiled slightly at Tinsley's introduction to Bates - It was something he definitely wasn't a stranger too! The girl seemed to take it in stride, however, so he didn't step in, instead turning his attention to the other students, who were doing just fine. With a nod, Tux checked his watch, then called out again, "You guys have five minutes left of class, but you can stay after, as long as you don't get run over. You're free to go if you feel like you want to give your foal a break, though."
Tobias Ulric Xayarath | 'Tux' | EP Barn Hand + Foal Handling Instructor | 46
Post by Cara-Jean Kitchi on May 26, 2017 16:02:15 GMT -8
Cara shut out the rest of the class, her complete attention on the colt beside her, while she made sure to keep her body language relaxed and calm - which wasn't that hard as submission was the one posture she had perfected over her sixteen years.
Her eyebrows rose when she heard that they were approaching the end of the class time, and she nodded. "Très bien mon ami" She said softly, with a smile, as she gently slide the rope from the halter ring, releasing Carson. She shook her head as the buckskin instantly stepped away and turned his back on her. She could see that he kept one ear trained on her, as though challenging her to either tell him off or to take back the release, so she took a step backwards before bending to pick up the bucket she had discarded when it was empty and the colt had lost interest in it.
Rather than just leaving though, she remained where she was as she watched the colt for a bit. Yes, she knew she need to go to gymnastics, but Mr Xayrath had said they still had five minutes, so she would make the most of them before she did leave."