At the eastside of the ring, the stallion sprang into a choppy canter. His rider rode two-point for a few strides then sat down. Gabriel jerked his head from side to side and snorted, his strides slowed then sped up, slowed then sped up; he wanted to run.
As they passed Marcus again, he heard the man’s voice. “Easy, easy, easy…Quiet now, Gabby, easy, easy.” All in a soothing, even tone. Marcus saw that his reins were just in contact with the horse, he wasn’t jerking on the bit to slow the animal down, he was using his legs and his seat to settle the horse.
Geez, he must have great thighs.
Gabriel finally settled into an easy canter. One-two-three, one-two-three, the gentle rhythm that charmed Marcus’s dreams. They floated by and the man looked as relaxed as if he were watching a Sunday
