Chapter 022: First experience of horse riding, when anxious, train (1/2)
Chapter 022: First experience of horse riding, when anxious, train
Translator: Tseirp
2 people and a horse arrived at the training ground with the owner absent. (TL: Owner/lord referring to Lumina)
Well it was me.
“Anyway, Yanbus-san is work good for you here?”
“Yes. The stables I am managing houses the horses ridden by the Valkyrie Paladin Corps as well as the horses in charge of pulling carriages to receive VIP guests, so now the stable houses not only a few horses.”
“I see. Then could you introduce this horse to me.”
“Yeah. This horse is called Fornoir.”
Fornoir sounded like the name of a cake, it gave a feeling that it means a dark forest. (TL: He is totally referring to black forest noir cakes called Forêt-Noire.)
“Fornoir, nice to meet you I am Luciel. I have not ridden on a horse before so please give me guidance.” I lowered my head and was surprised by “Luciel-sama what are you doing!”.
“Eh? Aren’t horses smart and can understand what people say?”
“That is true but suddenly lowering your head makes it look like you are asking it to make you it’s servant.”
” … Seriously?”
“I don’t know for sure but that was how it looked like. This guy is exceptionally smart so it should be okay but do be careful.”
“I’m sorry. Thank you for the advice.”
Thus I had already made a mistake at the very first step so I was determined to absolutely listen to everything Yanbus-san says as I received my instructions.
“First face forward and stand beside it while calling the horse and touching it gently. If you mount it without warning the horse will be frightened.”
“Yes.” As I was told I stood at its side facing forward and touched it’s flank.
“It’s warm.”
“Yes. They are warmer than people. Although it is currently wearing a saddle, please press onto it’s back to signal it that you are going to mount it.”
“Yes.” I tried pressing 『Gutsu Gutsu』. But there wasn’t any reaction.
“Okay. It doesn’t seem like it dislikes it so you are fine. Please mount it.”
“Eh already?”
“Yes now, I believe you’ve prepared yourself?”
“Understood.” I kicked the ground and sat on the saddle.
“Okay. That’s good. Please maintain your vertical posture with your upper body raised and your legs apart.”
“Ye … yes. Erm Yanbus isn’t this is quite high up?”
“Initially anybody who saddles up for the first time thinks so as well, it’s going to be fine. You will get used to it eventually.”
“Are there no stirrups?”
“What are stirrups?”
“A place to place your feet or a support tool that gives a foothold?”
“Erm~ I have never heard of it. Where is this local specialty from?”
“Ah ~ never mind, I heard about it a long time ago so I only tried asking. It doesn’t matter.”
“I’m sorry that I can’t help. Once you are done, try to actually steer. Please sandwich the horse between your knees and make sure that your axis doesn’t shift. It will be tough on the sides of the horse as well if your axis shifts.”
At that moment, I recalled something from my previous life. Thinking of the knee grip I used when I once rode on a motorcycle for fun, I maintained my posture. However that height was still scary. It made the area around the groin felt chilly.
“The cue to advance is by shaking the reins, pulling on the reins is the cue to stop. When turning pull the reins towards the direction you wish to turn to.”
“Understood.”
I lightly shook the reins. As a result Fornoir began to lightly trot.
“Okay. That’s good. Please do a lap around the perimeter here with that pose.”
“Here I go.”
『Pakopakopako』 With a pleasant rhythm, Fornoir trotted forward and reached the end in no time at all. I pulled slightly using my right hand to prompt it to turn and it turned for me.
“Thanks” I thanked it, we once again reached the end and turned, after we moved to the side of Yanbus-san, I slowly used both hands to pull the reins and it stopped for me.
“Okay. Wonderful. Makes me think that this is not your first time.”
“No, it is because Fornoir is smart. Also, it feels like my butt and knees will feel terrible if I ride for too long.”
“That will happen. Not only will the skin on your butt get irritated, you will also need to keep flexing the muscles on your knees that you rarely use. Well for a healer-sama like you there would be no problems?”