#rivervale_lodge

At the corral, Brekke approaches Dagmar as the latter leans on the rails, watching Stormwake. Brekke takes up a stance nearby, also watching the horse.

Dagmar straightens. "Chief."

A nod, then she looks at the horse again. After a few quiet moments, she says, "You have done good work caring for him while we have struggled recently. I thank you."

"Well, Nadeen's been good about the stall."

"The rest is pretty easy, ain't it?"

"It can be," she nods. "Has anybody shown you how to clean his hooves?"

Eyes wide, head-shake. "Nuh-uh."

Stormwake raises horsey brow ridges

"Mm. Dagmar, fetch the brown bag hanging near the curry combs." Brekke goes to the gate, rather than climb the rails, to get in to where Stormwake is.

Dagmar, however, climbs the last few rails and hops over to go snag the stuff - faster than detouring around!

Going to the horse, she lifts a hand to be sniffed before petting his neck. "I will make sure she is careful, Stormwake. Be still, and try not to kick her."

Dag joins the pair, checking inside the bag as she approaches.

A number of narrow metal tools, some of which look potentially painful, some of which are in sheaths that imply sharp edges.

dubious look but the patting helps

"It's like the dentist in here..."

At the word Dentist, the horse's ears move in a 'hey what?' way

"Mm. Some are more specialized, we are not using those." She describes a tool for Dagmar to find and hand over. "Should be done after every long ride. Mud gets in the hoof, then rocks get in the mud. Hey-up..." she says, tapping one of the horse's legs until he lifts the hoof, which she supports in her silvery hand.

"And rocks hurt? But hooves are hard, ain't they?"

Somehow Stormwake makes the pose looks dignified. He HAS done this before, clearly.

"Hooves are hard, but they are like fingernails. Think of having a rock or splinter caught under your fingernail, deep under." She starts to demonstrate how to scrape out the dirt. For all her might, her touch is careful and gentle.

Stormwake would offer the chief a carrot if he could. Good job.

"Oooo, that'd suck, Sure." She watches Brekke work, attentive.

"So, this part of the hoof? It is called the frog. I do not know why," she grins. "It is very sensitive. Be gentle here...." She demonstrates.

She finishes with that hoof, then taps it gently with the tool before setting it back down. "There." She wipes the tool clean...then hands it to Dagmar.

WHen the frog was tended to, Stormwake was a bit 'stiff' but soon relaxed. The chief knows her stuff

and yes the hoof is down

A moment of hesitation, but she takes the pick.

"Hey boy, easy boy..." She stands against Stormwake's flank and taps his other leg.

"I will guide you, do not be concerned."

"..thanks.."

"Once you get the hoof in hand, hold tightly. He may kick from reflex." And she directs Dagmar as she works, sometimes asking permission to show her how again on the difficult bits before handing the tool back.

A little furrow between her eyebrows - Kerri has seen it when Dagmar is cooking, Jaymes on woodwork... meticulous, careful concentration.

The horse fidgets for a moment. It has power this leg.

She is overly conservative at first, not wanting to hurt Stormwake by digging too hard or too deep.

"A little more there."

"Continue to think of fingernails. Need a firm pressure to get all the dirt, but not a jab into the flesh."

A grunt and a nod and she adjusts.

A dig against Stormwake's frog!

A stiffening of the horse's spine

She freezes.

THe lack of motion makes the horse nervous . What is this? Why isn't more happening?

Brekke notices. "That was too much. It was going to happen. Now you know how far not to go." She carefully pets the horse's back, makes soothing noises.

"Try again."

"It is good to talk to him while you work, too. Tell him what you are doing."

She bites on her lip, but nods. "...Sorry, Stormwake. Too deep, hunh? But I'm almost done..."

a soft nicker sound

She relaxes at the nicker, and goes back to cleaning... "And now the scrubby brush, right?"

"Mm." Brekke nods...and takes a step back, giving her more room to work.

Yes, the horse is relaxed to. He seems to pick up on the mood as much as anything

Brushing out the small stuff with care before releasing the hoof. A glance at Brekke to confirm before she moves to the back hooves.