Training Roiskunut Maali

Cassandra eyed the yearling in front of her. The lovely black and white mare had striking tobiano and overo markings, and the different colored eyes made her almost unsettling at times. Particularly when the yearling stood stock still and watched with an almost uncanny curiosity. However unexpected the breeding of Mets and Gold Collector had been, the resulting filly had been a welcome addition to the stables. 

For a young horse, Roiskunut Maali, or so she’d been named, was surprisingly well behaved. Or at least she wasn’t the complete hellion her sire was. She’d taken well to the harness and being led from stables out to the larger pasture. She occasionally got feisty if she hadn’t been out in awhile, but usually settled in well after working off excess energy. 

Cass double checked the treats in her pocket, hung the halter and lead on the fence post, and climbed over the fence into the field where Roiskunut Maali was playing. She’d debated selling the horse early on, but now she was curious. And she didn’t sell a horse untrained anyway. Too much chance of someone doing it wrong and she’d be damned before seeing a good animal ruined by poor handling. 

Adelyn and some of the senior stablehands had started the basics with the filly, as they did with any foal in the stables, but Cass had decided to see how things were going for herself. If the way Roiskunut Maali was watching her was any indication, today was likely to prove amusing. 

Cass pulled the clicker from her pocket and clicked it twice. Roiskunut Maali ears perked up and she ran towards Cass, changing her mind at the last minute and veering off into the field as if wanting the demonkin to chase her. Once they realized that wasn’t the case, they turned to regard Cassandra curiously.

“No. That’s not how you get a treat.” Cass chuckled, clicking again. 

This time the mare ran the opposite direction, kicking playfully as she went. 

“Luulen, että he valehtelivat. Olet ehdottomasti Metsäpalo’s lapsi.” Cass shook her head and moved further into the field. She knew she should probably stick to common as she wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep the filly yet or not, but for some reason that always felt wrong. 

She clicked the clicker again, and this time Roiskunut Maali came straight for her, having realized the demonkin wasn’t going to chase her around. 

“There. That’s better.” Cass chuckled and gave the young horse a small treat, which was clearly appreciated as the yearling bumped against her playfully. 

“Alright, let’s see how you follow then, shall we?” Cassandra brushed the mare’s velvety nose. 

Cassandra started backing up, Roiskunut Maali watching her with their different colored eyes. A few feet back, Cassandra used the clicker; two rapid clicks at the same time she offered out a treat. Roiskunut Maali didn’t have to be told twice, the yearling closing the distance quickly and snatching the treat from Cass’s hand. 

“Good.” Cassandra rewarded the mare with scratches and then backed up again. She kept her eyes on the black mare, and the mare kept her eyes on Cassandra as well; the two different colors making the gaze seem even more focused somehow, almost as if being watched by two different horses. 

“Let’s see if you get it right this time, huh?” Cassandra clicked again, holding out the treat. Again the mare followed her, though this time the yearling snatched the treat and took off to race around the field. 

“Well, that’s more what I expected.” Cassandra didn’t bother getting annoyed. The horse was barely a year old. If the mare hadn’t taken off running at some point Cass would have worried more. 

The mares coloring truly was spectacular. The black and white combination stood out, particularly the tobiano patterning. It would be fun to see how the mare grew, and the breeding prospects as well. A Plainsrunner of good stock was always something of value. 

Cassandra waited until Roiskunut Maali was watching her again, and once  again clicked. This time she didn’t have a treat in hand, though she was ready to fetch on. The training was far too new to test overly much. She was just curious as to how quickly the yearling caught onto the game. 

The mare took a moment to decide if she was coming or not, a glimpse of Mets’s stubbornness showing before she raced for Cassandra, stopping before actually colliding. The mare then looked at Cass expectantly and then nipped hard at Cassandra’s elbow. 

“Hey!” Cass pushed Roiskunut Maali’s nose away, hard. “Absolutely not.” 

Roiskunut Maali stomped at the ground and tossed her head, attempting to nip at Cassandra again. 

“No!” Cass swatted at the mare’s nose this time, hard enough to sting but not cause actual harm. 

Roiskunut Maali snorted again, but didn’t make another attempt to bite. 

Cassandra gave it a minute and then brushed the mare’s nose. “Much better.” 

Roiskunut Maali tossed her head and nuzzled Cassandra.

“Trying to be sweet now?” 

Roiskunut Maali seemed to take that as dismissal and bolted back into the field. 

“Right, I’ll try the halter and lead rope the next time you get close.” Cassandra laughed as she once again waited for the horse to decide they were done. 

Finally Roiskunut Maali got bored, or curious, and came back over. This time Cassandra slipped the halter on and secured the leadrope. Much to her surprise, the mare took it well. She’d be wearing one for quite some time, but many would still fight if they weren’t ready to come in. Not that Cass was intending to bring Roiskunut Maali in yet. 

Cassandra used the clicker and walked forward, leading Roiskunut Maali where she wanted her to go and rewarding the mare with a treat when they stopped. She did so again and again before Roiskunut Maali finally seemed to start getting bored with the activity. 

“Right, backwards then. No point finding out if you set things on fire when bored like your sire.” Cassandra started the same game, only this time backing Roiskunut Maali where she wanted her. It didn’t last nearly as long, the mare catching on quick and nipping Cass’s fingers when a treat was offered. 

“Not bad for a first time out with me.” Cassandra took the harness off and petted Roiskunut Maali’s soft nose. Or tried to. The mare took off before Cassandra could do more than half reach out. 

Rather than try to lure Roiskunut Maali back, Cassandra simply let her run. At only a year there wasn’t any point in overdoing it and making the mare hate training of any kind. Though much to her surprise Roiskunut Maali bolted for her as the demonkin tried to leave the area. 

“What? Are you not done yet?” Cassandra petted Roiskunut Maali nose and patted at the yearling's side. 

Roiskunut Maali gave Cassandra what could only be described as proud of themselves, snorted a small burst of fire and smoke, and then took off back into the field. 

“Hmm… definitely your sire’s daughter aren't you?” Cassandra chuckled and after being certain Roiskunut Maali wouldn’t come back for more attention, headed back into the stables.