A Shiny Penny in the barn

Heather is training a beautiful spun copper thoroughbred for a local show.  "It's time for the crossties, Penny", Heather says. Penny is one herd bound crazy redhead.  Just walking into an empty barn has her rolling her eyes, bellowing and stamping her feet.  Not going well, I think.  I have backed myself down an aisle away from the crazy horse and the bossy girl (woman) who is making the horse crazy.

Flashback to Heather's first horse.  I had been in the Michelle's barn with her horses when Heather was
taking lessons but if there were any problems Michelle dealt with them. This crazy white horse was now Heather's problem.  At thirteen she was bound and determined to make him into a showhorse.  First things first, big fight over the bit.  She fought him and fought him.  I was terrified and got in an empty stall and shut the door.  I yelled to her to put him away, she was going to get hurt. NO, she said, grittin her teeth, HE'S GOING TO DO IT! He did, she won but I was stunned, at her determination and his and my strong sense of self preservation and lack of maternal instinct... sorry Heather, you're on your own!

Penny, standing alone in the barn, is a quivering mess.  I was expecting the worse but things never got out of hand.  Penny kept it together when she realized Heather meant business, enough to get brushed, feet picked, saddle on.  Once outside, different horse, calm, cool, collected.  Penny did everything she was asked and got plenty of praise for it.
 Good girl!  I mean that for both of them!