With free time on her hands - something very rare indeed since school started - Sophie headed straight for the makeshift pen that Phoenix was in. They'd taken it easy after her win at the summer competition, focusing on easy ground work and a few low jumps. She'd rewarded him handsomely for getting the gold and had let him know that he'd done splendidly. Today though, she had a few ideas in mind.
She sprinted all the way from the Great Hall out to the corner of the grounds that had been set aside for Phoenix. The horse spotted her coming and made his way to the fence, waiting for her to come. Not bothering with the gate, Sophie clambered over the fence, and dropped lightly down into the pen, throwing her arms around Phoenix and hugging him tightly.
"Hey, bud! How've you been?" she greeted, rubbing Phoenix's neck and forehead affectionately. The horse whickered and nudged her back with his nose, making her chuckle softly. "Come on!"
Sophie set off at a jog and Phoenix followed her, his nose right at her shoulder. Everywhere she turned and went, Phoenix was beside her. It was a game they played, part of liberty work that she did with him. In liberty work, nothing connected animal and human, no halter, no lead rope, nothing. It was purely based on relationship and trust. The choice was given to the horse and it was his decision to stay or to leave.
Running slightly out of breath, Sophie paused, Phoenix stopping together with her. Turning to face him, she made sure that she had his full attention. Now was the magical moment, the time where she could dance with him and talk with him using her body. She took a step back from him and raised both her hands so that they were streched straight out from both sides of her at shoulder height. She spun around on the spot, grinning as Phoenix did the same. After three turns, she stopped and spun the other way, Phoenix imitating her.
She paused to catch her breath, scratching Phoenix's neck and praising him. She was going to teach him a new trick. Taking out the clicker from her pocket and the thin stick hanging on the fence, she gave him another rub before stepping away. Making sure his eyes were on her, she knelt to the ground on both knees, unmindful that her jeans would once again get dirty. Very gently, she placed her hand on the back of his right foot, just behind the knee, and applied some pressure there. Once Phoenix bent it, she pressed the clicker and gave him a piece of carrot. "Good!"
She did the same with the other front leg and his hind legs, clicking and rewarding when Phoenix did as she asked him to. Moving so that she was once again by his front legs, she knelt down, using the stick so she could put pressure on both his legs at the same time. Phoenix got the idea, lowing his whole body to the ground with a soft snort, all his legs curled under him. Sophie clicked, giving him another piece of carrot. "Good boy!"
She stood up, lifting one hand up over her head so that Phoenix would stand up also. She gave him a rub, took a step back and knelt down to the ground. Almost immediately, Phoenix did the same, returning to his sitting position, getting his reward of a hug and kiss from Sophie.
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