dust in your EYES

[/justie]

Seth's body gently rocked with the motion of the large palomino body beneath him. There was a slight breeze outside, but it wasn't helping the dust level. It hadn't rained for a few days, and the arena was completely dry, blowing dust around and getting into both Seth's and Strike's eyes. He knew he should've used the indoor arena, but he didn't want to pass up such a nice day like this. He pointed the thoroughbred cross to a two foot vertical and they popped over it easily. Seth smiled and ruffled Strike's mane before he turned him to the perimeter of the arena.

Sweat was beginning to show on Strike's neck, and Seth slowed him to a trot, then walk. They had already been out there for an hour, and Seth knew he needed to give Strike a bit of a break. Seth was smart to have brought out a bucket of water instead of untacking and taking Strike all the way back to the barn, where he might think he was done working for the day. He swiftly dismounted, black boots sinking in the arena sand as he led Strike out of the arena and around the gate to a bucket of water sitting in a little shade.

Seth knew better than to try and make Strike take a drink, so they meandered around the grassy spot near the arena and allowed him to do a little grazing here and there, but not much because they needed to get back to work. While Strike grazed, Seth loosened the girth a little and brought him to the bucket to offer him water. Surprisingly, Strike did take a drink. A long one at that. Seth looked around the grounds for a familiar face, but at this point, he'd failed at making friends so far. He'd noticed a lot of people and seen them around, but had never had a reason to introduce himself. He didn't save anyone from a tragic death, or help them with their homework. He kept to the library, barn, and small coffee shop.