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Description

Stable: Lakewood Farm
Horse Number: 1
Horse Name: Kiwi
Entry: Mandatory

Storyline:
1. Mandatory: First Meeting
2. Optional: The First Steps
3. Optional: Interlude - Things for the Future
4. Optional: Breakthrough
5. Optional: Building Trust
6. Mandatory: Mishap - Halter Training
7. Optional: Progression
8. Optional: Mishap - Early Saddle Sessions
9. Mandatory: Backing
10. Optional: Mounting Up
11. Mandatory: Flat Training
12. Optional: Jump training
13. Optional: Christmas Hack
14. Optional: Kaimanawa Hack: You are Here
15. Optional: Beach/water riding
16. Optional: The Future

Full Image:

Kind of random, I know.

I'm finally going to post the Kaimanawa Gathering Collab picture. It'll be up tomorrow, and I'm sorry for those of you who got in your parts on time but have had to wait. This is my own contribution to it, just 'cause.

Kiwi actually looks more like a little pony here - to me, anyway - than I planned for, but that aside, I really like how she looks anyway, and I had fun doing it, so it's all good She and Alec haven't had a good gallop picture yet, so I thought out hacking might be a good time for some fun.

She's in her usual tack, including the sheepskin riser that is a bit of a shock absorber. The white glinting bits on the bridle and saddle are reflectors, for visibility when out hacking in limited light. The white strips on her boots are also reflectors, while the green is fluorescent.

But also, I was talking to *MissDudette not long ago and mentioned I was considering giving both Kiwi and Poe (when she's old enough) these equiboots (or whatever you want to call them), for riding over certain terrain. Dudette was all for it, so voila. They're lightweight, made from cotton and polyester other than the hard rubber soles, with grips like your own trainers. And, of course, they have green straps. Naturally a horse carries 60% of its weight on the forelegs, rather than the hindlegs, which is why they more commonly suffer from bone and tendon injuries, and it's because the horse's centre of gravity is directly behind the withers. Kiwi has a full set of these boots for riding in rough places, but just out hacking, she's wearing them for experience, more than necessity, and only on the front where the most weight is.

And those of you who have been avidly following the Kiwi Stories; because the deadline was extended to March, there are a number more pictures and stories still to come So though she's no longer 'wild', it will all be part of the Kaimanawa Challenge for her progression through hacking out both alone and with other horses, travelling in a trailer, being ridden bareback, jump lessons and other things besides.

Story is here, rather than in the finished collab, since that features other horses and it could get confusing...

"The Courtyard's like a fairground," Becca said, entering the Den with her usual armful of empty halters after the turnout. There was a flurry of snow on her shoulders and loose hair and Ace came scrambling in behind her, towing a travois which pulled the rug up at the edge as she raced to Alec on the sofa.

She wasn't exactly the type you'd trust to pull a travois, but she seemed to become marginally sensible when it was on, as though this task was one she honoured. Austin had joked more than once about leaving it on. A broken fence rail, hammer and box of nails were strapped to it along with a long coil of bunting, with snowflakes on each of the triangle flags. Becca had taken Ace down to fix a busted fence in one of the bottom individual paddocks, right after setting Matches and Toeki to the Park's buried grazing.

"How bad is it?" Twitch asked warily, in reference to Becca's statement concerning their courtyard.

"Not awful," the brunette shrugged, dropping into the desk chair. She rubbed her hands together through her fingerless gloves. "No one's died, and none of the horses have done a runner for the woods without their riders, so I'd say we're off to a good start."

"Are they all tacked up?" Twitch asked. "Does anybody need a map?"

Alec snorted.

Becca shook her head, "They can all find the pretty blue arrows on the trees. How long till this thing starts?"

"Want your courtyard back?" Alec teased.

Becca stuck her tongue out at him. "No, just wondering when I can get rid of you."

"That hurts," he said blithely in reply. He lifted Ace's muzzle in a hand and dodged when she curled out her tongue to lick him. "Did you hear that?" he asked her. "Your mom doesn't like me."

Ace just gazed up at him with liquid eyes. Twitch shifted on the other end of the sofa, tossing the blanket from her lap.

"They're leaving in twenty minutes. Kiwi's stood in the stable yard."

"And I'm going to tack up in two minutes," Alec added.

"So are you," Becca called after a retreating Twitch.

She spun back on the spot, frowning. "Austin said to start making feeds."

"I'm stealing your job," Becca smirked. "You're taking mine; namely taking Oma for a nice walk through the woods."

"And you want to do the feeds rather than ride?" Twitch checked, hardly daring to believe her luck.

Becca winked at her; it was common knowledge that Twitch adored the gentle giant. "Go on, fetch his saddle."

The younger girl darted away and Alec stood a moment later.

"Okay, I'd better get Kiwi ready."

"Twitch is coming with you up until the tunnel lock," Becca told him. Tunnel lock was a ways up the canal bridlepath, just beyond a bend in the river. It was densely wooded this side of it, but there were easier paths lining the banks after it, and usually a few boats moored against them. With the snow so deep, it was especially not wise to hack out alone. She could stay at the back of the Kaimanwa pack and then go off alone after the lock, where there were people around in case of an emergency.

Alec nodded, taking the precaution and instructions seriously.

When he reached the tack room, he could see that Bonzai was missing, so he hauled Kiwi's things from her hooks and carried them to the stable yard.

The mare turned her head to watch him when he stepped out of the barn, ears pricking up. She was in a lightweight turnout rug - something she'd only recently come to tolerate, but her expression was impatient. Alec could quickly see why; Two of the chickens (Becca could always tell them apart) had squeezed through the slats of the gate to the farmyard and were dashing about to avoid Moby, the spaniel leaping in circles. She seemed eager to leave the stable yard to them and get going.

Alec tacked her up - a process that was far quicker and easier now than it had been in the early days. She adopted a very wide-eyed expression the when she stood straight in her hoof boots (something Chess affectionately called 'pony sneakers'), but other than pawing the air a few times, didn't appear concerned with them. She'd worn them before, just on the yard, but never been worked in them so far. She dalied on the spot while Alec tucked his scarf into his favourite jacket and buckled up his hard hat then practically trotted at his side as they left the buildings behind. They came to a stop at the side of the courtyard.

Twitch was already there with Romany; his two toned coat gleamed in the muted sun and his breath puffed out in clouds, his great feathered feet lost in amongst the half trampled snow. She'd put on a riding jacket and pulled a beanie down over her loose hair. Other horse and rider pairs littered the spot; trailers lined up alongside and behind the garage. They were all Kaimanawas; all with that hardy conformation and eyes that sparked with a remembrance of the open.

Alec stepped up so he could be seen a little more clearly and whistled loudly. The excited chatter quieted down and eyes turned to him. Kiwi snorted and rocked back on her heels, ears flicking uncertainly as a stallion or two sniffed into the air. Amused, Alec patted her neck.

"Hi, guys," he said, not caring much for formalities. "When you're ready, we'll head straight off. We're heading up that track, past the farmhouse, and taking a right about five hundred yards into the woods. We'll follow the bridle path a ways and then leave on another route up the side of one of the canals. We'll follow the bank for a while, cross at the closest lock and make our way back through the woods the other side. There'll be chances for riding as a herd, and single file, some routes with logs to jump, if you want and plenty of space for a gallop."

There was a collection of mutterings again as everyone processed this.

Alec smiled wryly. "That's the fun part. This is the boring half - have you all got a cell phone or GPS? make sure you do. Take a hoofpick with you -stones are hidden really easy and in some places we've got nearly two feet of snow. You may have to stop and pick feet regularly anyway. Make sure you're wrapped up warm, check your tack and no one fall off."

Twitch shot him an amused smile, but with so many strangers around, she didn't do more as she used the wheelarch of the Pickup, parked near the garage, to climb into Romany's saddle. Everyone followed suit and with a fair amount of shuffling, snorting and warning squeals, everyone was on board.

"Okay, the routes are marked up when you get to the wood," Alec said, turning Kiwi and letting her stride eagerly past the herd. "Fan out if you like and just follow them. Blue ones are hacking routes, but if you get lost, there's trees with green ties that lead you back here."

"Look who got responsible!" Came a yell from behind them.

Becca edged around the horses, Ace in her wake, still dragging the travois, though it now had two turnout rugs strapped to it.

Alec shot her a withering look. She waved back brightly and Twitch smirked. "Go do your chores," he told her.

The brunette waved and skipped off, Ace trotting behind.

"Let's go, then," Alec continued, as though there had been no interruption.

There was a little hesitation among the group as to who would go first, so Alec turned Kiwi again and gave her her head. She'd hacked this way with Lakewood horses before, in preparation of this, so she picked up a brisk pace and everyone quickly fell in.

It didn't take long for the hesitance to go, and by the time they were turning down the righthand bridlepath, the group had scattered as they trotted through the trees, trampling fresh snow and picking their own routes. Kiwi's ears pricked forwards, her steps high and fleeting on the ground; eager to canter. Twitch remained behind the group, letting them enjoy the event and basking in her own peace and quiet. Alec made sure to keep an eye on her, though, as he'd promised.

Finally, twenty minutes in the horses were warm, supple and eager to speed up the pace. They left the trees and gathered on the wide bank of one of the canals. The first lock - Tunnel Lock - was up ahead some way, and a narrowboat was moored on the far side of the bend just in sight, frozen into the bank and water and hidden in snow.

"Don't fall in!" Alec called to everyone as Kiwi shifted her weight in anticipation beneath him. "Slow up around the bend because it narrows out, but you've got this stretch for a canter."

This time, no one hesitated. They let the horses out and flurries of snow filled the sky as they surged into canter all at once, like watching a wave come in with the tide. Alec spun Kiwi, keeping her back.

Romany looked like a bouncing ball, his neck arched and hocks well under him. Despite his heavier build he was clearly keen to give the Kaimanawas a run for their money. Twitch was laughing on his back, hands firm but sympathetic on his reins.

"Go," she yelled to him. Kiwi tossed her head in agreement and with a parting glance, Alec let her go.

She launched into the air, ears swivelling to track the herd ahead. Alec leant over her withers, lifting himself out of the saddle so he wasn't left behind her, and in a rush of snow, they were catching up to the others.

I don't draw people in the forward seat nearly often enough, considering its my favourited position for a canter XD

That's about it. Its now late, again (why do I like drawing and posting at night?) so the gathering will be up tomorrow. If anyone has a last minute addition, try to get me a link. If you can't get it up in time, I will be able to add a few more horses to the final image, even after it's posted.

Drawing took around an hour/hour and a half
This photo used as a ref for the pose sketch, not used for lining: www.cutehomepets.com/wp-conten…
This is a travois: esask.uregina.ca/management/ap…
This is a drawing of one which got me intrigued ages ago: fav.me/dkn6jq
Art, characters and story copyright to *Tattered-Dreams
Do not take, copy, edit, redistribute or manipulate.

Description

Stable: Lakewood Farm
Horse Number: 1
Horse Name: Kiwi
Entry: Mandatory

Storyline:
1. Mandatory: First Meeting
2. Optional: The First Steps
3. Optional: Interlude - Things for the Future
4. Optional: Breakthrough
5. Optional: Building Trust
6. Mandatory: Mishap - Halter Training
7. Optional: Progression
8. Optional: Mishap - Early Saddle Sessions
9. Mandatory: Backing
10. Optional: Mounting Up
11. Mandatory: Flat Training
12. Optional: Jump training
13. Optional: Christmas Hack
14. Optional: Kaimanawa Hack: You are Here
15. Optional: Beach/water riding
16. Optional: The Future

Full Image:

Kind of random, I know.

I'm finally going to post the Kaimanawa Gathering Collab picture. It'll be up tomorrow, and I'm sorry for those of you who got in your parts on time but have had to wait. This is my own contribution to it, just 'cause.

Kiwi actually looks more like a little pony here - to me, anyway - than I planned for, but that aside, I really like how she looks anyway, and I had fun doing it, so it's all good She and Alec haven't had a good gallop picture yet, so I thought out hacking might be a good time for some fun.

She's in her usual tack, including the sheepskin riser that is a bit of a shock absorber. The white glinting bits on the bridle and saddle are reflectors, for visibility when out hacking in limited light. The white strips on her boots are also reflectors, while the green is fluorescent.

But also, I was talking to *MissDudette not long ago and mentioned I was considering giving both Kiwi and Poe (when she's old enough) these equiboots (or whatever you want to call them), for riding over certain terrain. Dudette was all for it, so voila. They're lightweight, made from cotton and polyester other than the hard rubber soles, with grips like your own trainers. And, of course, they have green straps. Naturally a horse carries 60% of its weight on the forelegs, rather than the hindlegs, which is why they more commonly suffer from bone and tendon injuries, and it's because the horse's centre of gravity is directly behind the withers. Kiwi has a full set of these boots for riding in rough places, but just out hacking, she's wearing them for experience, more than necessity, and only on the front where the most weight is.

And those of you who have been avidly following the Kiwi Stories; because the deadline was extended to March, there are a number more pictures and stories still to come So though she's no longer 'wild', it will all be part of the Kaimanawa Challenge for her progression through hacking out both alone and with other horses, travelling in a trailer, being ridden bareback, jump lessons and other things besides.

Story is here, rather than in the finished collab, since that features other horses and it could get confusing...

"The Courtyard's like a fairground," Becca said, entering the Den with her usual armful of empty halters after the turnout. There was a flurry of snow on her shoulders and loose hair and Ace came scrambling in behind her, towing a travois which pulled the rug up at the edge as she raced to Alec on the sofa.

She wasn't exactly the type you'd trust to pull a travois, but she seemed to become marginally sensible when it was on, as though this task was one she honoured. Austin had joked more than once about leaving it on. A broken fence rail, hammer and box of nails were strapped to it along with a long coil of bunting, with snowflakes on each of the triangle flags. Becca had taken Ace down to fix a busted fence in one of the bottom individual paddocks, right after setting Matches and Toeki to the Park's buried grazing.

"How bad is it?" Twitch asked warily, in reference to Becca's statement concerning their courtyard.

"Not awful," the brunette shrugged, dropping into the desk chair. She rubbed her hands together through her fingerless gloves. "No one's died, and none of the horses have done a runner for the woods without their riders, so I'd say we're off to a good start."

"Are they all tacked up?" Twitch asked. "Does anybody need a map?"

Alec snorted.

Becca shook her head, "They can all find the pretty blue arrows on the trees. How long till this thing starts?"

"Want your courtyard back?" Alec teased.

Becca stuck her tongue out at him. "No, just wondering when I can get rid of you."

"That hurts," he said blithely in reply. He lifted Ace's muzzle in a hand and dodged when she curled out her tongue to lick him. "Did you hear that?" he asked her. "Your mom doesn't like me."

Ace just gazed up at him with liquid eyes. Twitch shifted on the other end of the sofa, tossing the blanket from her lap.

"They're leaving in twenty minutes. Kiwi's stood in the stable yard."

"And I'm going to tack up in two minutes," Alec added.

"So are you," Becca called after a retreating Twitch.

She spun back on the spot, frowning. "Austin said to start making feeds."

"I'm stealing your job," Becca smirked. "You're taking mine; namely taking Oma for a nice walk through the woods."

"And you want to do the feeds rather than ride?" Twitch checked, hardly daring to believe her luck.

Becca winked at her; it was common knowledge that Twitch adored the gentle giant. "Go on, fetch his saddle."

The younger girl darted away and Alec stood a moment later.

"Okay, I'd better get Kiwi ready."

"Twitch is coming with you up until the tunnel lock," Becca told him. Tunnel lock was a ways up the canal bridlepath, just beyond a bend in the river. It was densely wooded this side of it, but there were easier paths lining the banks after it, and usually a few boats moored against them. With the snow so deep, it was especially not wise to hack out alone. She could stay at the back of the Kaimanwa pack and then go off alone after the lock, where there were people around in case of an emergency.

Alec nodded, taking the precaution and instructions seriously.

When he reached the tack room, he could see that Bonzai was missing, so he hauled Kiwi's things from her hooks and carried them to the stable yard.

The mare turned her head to watch him when he stepped out of the barn, ears pricking up. She was in a lightweight turnout rug - something she'd only recently come to tolerate, but her expression was impatient. Alec could quickly see why; Two of the chickens (Becca could always tell them apart) had squeezed through the slats of the gate to the farmyard and were dashing about to avoid Moby, the spaniel leaping in circles. She seemed eager to leave the stable yard to them and get going.

Alec tacked her up - a process that was far quicker and easier now than it had been in the early days. She adopted a very wide-eyed expression the when she stood straight in her hoof boots (something Chess affectionately called 'pony sneakers'), but other than pawing the air a few times, didn't appear concerned with them. She'd worn them before, just on the yard, but never been worked in them so far. She dalied on the spot while Alec tucked his scarf into his favourite jacket and buckled up his hard hat then practically trotted at his side as they left the buildings behind. They came to a stop at the side of the courtyard.

Twitch was already there with Romany; his two toned coat gleamed in the muted sun and his breath puffed out in clouds, his great feathered feet lost in amongst the half trampled snow. She'd put on a riding jacket and pulled a beanie down over her loose hair. Other horse and rider pairs littered the spot; trailers lined up alongside and behind the garage. They were all Kaimanawas; all with that hardy conformation and eyes that sparked with a remembrance of the open.

Alec stepped up so he could be seen a little more clearly and whistled loudly. The excited chatter quieted down and eyes turned to him. Kiwi snorted and rocked back on her heels, ears flicking uncertainly as a stallion or two sniffed into the air. Amused, Alec patted her neck.

"Hi, guys," he said, not caring much for formalities. "When you're ready, we'll head straight off. We're heading up that track, past the farmhouse, and taking a right about five hundred yards into the woods. We'll follow the bridle path a ways and then leave on another route up the side of one of the canals. We'll follow the bank for a while, cross at the closest lock and make our way back through the woods the other side. There'll be chances for riding as a herd, and single file, some routes with logs to jump, if you want and plenty of space for a gallop."

There was a collection of mutterings again as everyone processed this.

Alec smiled wryly. "That's the fun part. This is the boring half - have you all got a cell phone or GPS? make sure you do. Take a hoofpick with you -stones are hidden really easy and in some places we've got nearly two feet of snow. You may have to stop and pick feet regularly anyway. Make sure you're wrapped up warm, check your tack and no one fall off."

Twitch shot him an amused smile, but with so many strangers around, she didn't do more as she used the wheelarch of the Pickup, parked near the garage, to climb into Romany's saddle. Everyone followed suit and with a fair amount of shuffling, snorting and warning squeals, everyone was on board.

"Okay, the routes are marked up when you get to the wood," Alec said, turning Kiwi and letting her stride eagerly past the herd. "Fan out if you like and just follow them. Blue ones are hacking routes, but if you get lost, there's trees with green ties that lead you back here."

"Look who got responsible!" Came a yell from behind them.

Becca edged around the horses, Ace in her wake, still dragging the travois, though it now had two turnout rugs strapped to it.

Alec shot her a withering look. She waved back brightly and Twitch smirked. "Go do your chores," he told her.

The brunette waved and skipped off, Ace trotting behind.

"Let's go, then," Alec continued, as though there had been no interruption.

There was a little hesitation among the group as to who would go first, so Alec turned Kiwi again and gave her her head. She'd hacked this way with Lakewood horses before, in preparation of this, so she picked up a brisk pace and everyone quickly fell in.

It didn't take long for the hesitance to go, and by the time they were turning down the righthand bridlepath, the group had scattered as they trotted through the trees, trampling fresh snow and picking their own routes. Kiwi's ears pricked forwards, her steps high and fleeting on the ground; eager to canter. Twitch remained behind the group, letting them enjoy the event and basking in her own peace and quiet. Alec made sure to keep an eye on her, though, as he'd promised.

Finally, twenty minutes in the horses were warm, supple and eager to speed up the pace. They left the trees and gathered on the wide bank of one of the canals. The first lock - Tunnel Lock - was up ahead some way, and a narrowboat was moored on the far side of the bend just in sight, frozen into the bank and water and hidden in snow.

"Don't fall in!" Alec called to everyone as Kiwi shifted her weight in anticipation beneath him. "Slow up around the bend because it narrows out, but you've got this stretch for a canter."

This time, no one hesitated. They let the horses out and flurries of snow filled the sky as they surged into canter all at once, like watching a wave come in with the tide. Alec spun Kiwi, keeping her back.

Romany looked like a bouncing ball, his neck arched and hocks well under him. Despite his heavier build he was clearly keen to give the Kaimanawas a run for their money. Twitch was laughing on his back, hands firm but sympathetic on his reins.

"Go," she yelled to him. Kiwi tossed her head in agreement and with a parting glance, Alec let her go.

She launched into the air, ears swivelling to track the herd ahead. Alec leant over her withers, lifting himself out of the saddle so he wasn't left behind her, and in a rush of snow, they were catching up to the others.

I don't draw people in the forward seat nearly often enough, considering its my favourited position for a canter XD

That's about it. Its now late, again (why do I like drawing and posting at night?) so the gathering will be up tomorrow. If anyone has a last minute addition, try to get me a link. If you can't get it up in time, I will be able to add a few more horses to the final image, even after it's posted.

Drawing took around an hour/hour and a half
This photo used as a ref for the pose sketch, not used for lining: www.cutehomepets.com/wp-conten…
This is a travois: esask.uregina.ca/management/ap…
This is a drawing of one which got me intrigued ages ago: fav.me/dkn6jq
Art, characters and story copyright to *Tattered-Dreams
Do not take, copy, edit, redistribute or manipulate.