I stand a few steps behind Gunner, the long lines in my hands feeling strange and important at the same time. The harness looks big on him, all straps and buckles, and I can see him trying to figure it out. His ears swivel back toward me, checking in. “It’s okay,” I whisper, even though my heart is thumping just as hard as his probably is. When I ask him to walk, the traces tug lightly against his sides and he tenses for a second. I hold steady, not pulling, just there. One step. Then another. The sound of the gear shifts and creaks, but nothing bad happens. I can feel the moment he realizes that. His neck stretches forward, his walk loosens, and suddenly we’re moving together — me behind, him leading, both of us learning how this new thing works.
Rider Base - @MythtopianPegasus Gunner - @EquineKiwi Driving Set - @AuroraRiverStables Background - @MythtopianPegasus