Noury
09-13-2006, 10:07 AM
"Now, approach the horse from the left side. Take the reins in your left hand and when your comfortable place your left foot in the stirrup."
Nouri did exactly as Randall directed. The mare, sensing his unease shifted slightly as Nouri's foot came to rest in the stirrup. It was a precarious position and Nouri looked anxiously over at his trainer Randall.
"Good, now simultaneously pull yourself up and swing your right leg over to the other side of the horse. Make sure you settle yourself in the saddle and distribute your weight. Be sure to get your right foot well into the right stirrup swiftly or you will be off balance."
Nouri nodded and attempted the manoever, hoping that this time he would actually make it without sliding off the other side. To his satisfaction he easily settled himself into the saddle and set his foot into the stirrups. The mare grunted under his weight but otherwise remained still.
The decision to take riding lessons came logically enough. Nouri was often far afield these days and travel between the lands he visited was becoming more and more time consuming and difficult. After a few inquiries he learned of Randall Hunter and his riding academy in the Eastvale Logging Camp.
This was an introductory lesson and was free. The real instruction would follow shortly, after Nouri became a little more proficient and supplied the proper fees of course. On successful completion he would be accepted by the various horse breeders in the realm as a potential customer. Horse breeders were notoriously prideful of their stock and didn't sell them to just anyone. They needed assurance the customer knew what they were doing with a mount.
For Nouri, this was a strange sensation. Although apprehensive at first, the process of getting aquainted with the horses and the riding gear came as second nature. Vague memories of his childhood came in flashes to him as he worked through the various lessons. That he had previous experience with horses as a farm boy was obvious. If only he could remember more.
To teach beginners Randall used an old grey mare. She was a former cavalry horse, long since retired from service and known for being a docile creature, perfect for beginner riders to practice on.
Randall was oftern heard saying " Yup, that old grey mare, she ain't what she used to be.."
Nouri took up the reins in both hands and tentatively flicked them while simultaneously nudging the horse's ribs with the heels of his boots. In response the mare lurched forward in a quick cantor.
"Woah! Careful there lad! Don't get cocky now.. Pull back on them reins a bit and slow her to a walk. Lets do this by the book.."
Nouri sighed and did as he was told. No sense in angering the man. He needed his approval if he wanted to buy a horse of his own after all.
The rest of the afternoon was spent riding around the logging camp, changing speeds, direction and learning about grooming, care of the gear and proper feeding.
Later that night Nouri retreated to the room in Stormwind he borrowed sometimes from Lovely, the Paladin when she was not in residence. He then proceeded to fill the large brass tub with hot water and soaked his sore and swollen buttocks. This was going to be more painful than he had anticipated..
The next morning, it was a stiff and sore Nouri who learned from the gossip running rampant through the city of the arrest of Kurohane, his former Commander in Chief..
Nouri did exactly as Randall directed. The mare, sensing his unease shifted slightly as Nouri's foot came to rest in the stirrup. It was a precarious position and Nouri looked anxiously over at his trainer Randall.
"Good, now simultaneously pull yourself up and swing your right leg over to the other side of the horse. Make sure you settle yourself in the saddle and distribute your weight. Be sure to get your right foot well into the right stirrup swiftly or you will be off balance."
Nouri nodded and attempted the manoever, hoping that this time he would actually make it without sliding off the other side. To his satisfaction he easily settled himself into the saddle and set his foot into the stirrups. The mare grunted under his weight but otherwise remained still.
The decision to take riding lessons came logically enough. Nouri was often far afield these days and travel between the lands he visited was becoming more and more time consuming and difficult. After a few inquiries he learned of Randall Hunter and his riding academy in the Eastvale Logging Camp.
This was an introductory lesson and was free. The real instruction would follow shortly, after Nouri became a little more proficient and supplied the proper fees of course. On successful completion he would be accepted by the various horse breeders in the realm as a potential customer. Horse breeders were notoriously prideful of their stock and didn't sell them to just anyone. They needed assurance the customer knew what they were doing with a mount.
For Nouri, this was a strange sensation. Although apprehensive at first, the process of getting aquainted with the horses and the riding gear came as second nature. Vague memories of his childhood came in flashes to him as he worked through the various lessons. That he had previous experience with horses as a farm boy was obvious. If only he could remember more.
To teach beginners Randall used an old grey mare. She was a former cavalry horse, long since retired from service and known for being a docile creature, perfect for beginner riders to practice on.
Randall was oftern heard saying " Yup, that old grey mare, she ain't what she used to be.."
Nouri took up the reins in both hands and tentatively flicked them while simultaneously nudging the horse's ribs with the heels of his boots. In response the mare lurched forward in a quick cantor.
"Woah! Careful there lad! Don't get cocky now.. Pull back on them reins a bit and slow her to a walk. Lets do this by the book.."
Nouri sighed and did as he was told. No sense in angering the man. He needed his approval if he wanted to buy a horse of his own after all.
The rest of the afternoon was spent riding around the logging camp, changing speeds, direction and learning about grooming, care of the gear and proper feeding.
Later that night Nouri retreated to the room in Stormwind he borrowed sometimes from Lovely, the Paladin when she was not in residence. He then proceeded to fill the large brass tub with hot water and soaked his sore and swollen buttocks. This was going to be more painful than he had anticipated..
The next morning, it was a stiff and sore Nouri who learned from the gossip running rampant through the city of the arrest of Kurohane, his former Commander in Chief..