He withdrew his arms and she almost dropped it, stumbling forward under the weight. He offered her to take over the saddle in her arms, and she was barely able to hook her forearms under, big as it was. “Now come here, I might have to help you a bit. The bridle was similar to the English tack she was used to, so putting it on wasn’t a challenge, only the noseband was missing.Īrthur observed her and nodded approvingly when she stepped away, he lifted the saddle off the ground. Sure enough, Eliza had barely touched her soft skin, the mare bowed down to her. “Touch her by the chin, she’ll lower her head for ya.” Arthur waved at Eliza as she approached, bridle in hand. Her heavy saddle sat on the ground before the outlaw, she was only wearing the woollen blanket on her back. He was already waiting, Moonshine standing next to him, one of her hind legs casually resting on the tip of the hoof. Morgan was kind enough to try and make her more independent, and she wouldn’t disappoint him. She was nervous but looking forward to the lesson, not being able to ride confidently was a major setback in this lifestyle.
They agreed and she went to her cot, donning her trousers and a pair of laced boots. Might be a bit heavy for ya but you’ll have to learn either way.”
Eliza lopes how to#
“Meet me at the horses, I’ll show you how to saddle her up. She’d have to deal with that at some point soon. There was that strange flutter again as they locked eyes. She gave up and just nodded, nervously smiling back. She knows how to respond to gentle signals, you won’t need to kick yer heels in. “My legs won’t even reach down to her ribs!”, she protested. She trusted the mare, but that didn’t mean she thought she could control a horse that size, no matter how well ridden it was.
“Big to you maybe, massive to me”, Eliza mumbled. She’s big, but she’s as tame as anything.” “Why not? She’s a good horse and she ain’t ever thrown me, goes through a gunfight just as calm as if she was on a peaceful meadow. She’s a patient girl.”Įliza’s face twisted into a doubtful grimace. “Lenny’s off in town already, but don’t worry, we’ll just take Moonshine. Should I ask Lenny if I can borrow Maggie?” “Sure! I’ll just make sure Miss Grimshaw hasn’t got any special chores for me today. He hesitated, then asked: “Dutch ain’t asked anything of me today, how about them horse riding lessons?”
After a while Eliza could feel his eyes on her, so she looked at him questioningly. “Same.” He didn’t say anything else and they sat together, enjoying their coffee in silence. The next morning Eliza was sitting at her usual spot at the cliff with a cup of coffee, enjoying the slight drizzle in the misty air, when Arthur showed up and plopped down next to her.