Chapter 3

Elena woke to the sound of a soft knock. A maid stepped silently into the room, sunlight flooding through the open window behind her. The breeze offered little comfort to Elena’s aching body.

Every part of her hurt. Her legs throbbed. Her back felt bruised. Even her arms—though barely used—ached from tension she didn’t remember holding. She tried to sit up. Failed.

The maid, watching silently, turned and left the room. Minutes later, she returned with a small basin and a jar of thick, white cream. Without speaking, she knelt beside the bed and dipped her fingers into the thick, cooling gel.

Elena flinched as the cream touched her skin, but the maid’s hands were steady and professional—impersonal, but not cold. She worked in silence, massaging the salve into sore calves, thighs, and lower back.

By the time she finished, Elena could breathe without wincing. She pushed herself upright, legs trembling as they met the floor. The maid helped her stand, then pointed toward the hallway.

In the dining room, breakfast waited—eggs, fresh fruit, warm bread. Elena sat carefully. No one rushed her. No one spoke. She ate slowly, each bite reviving her strength.

When she finished, the maid returned. Elena followed her outside, where Carol was already waiting. Elena managed a smile—sore but steady—and stepped beside her.

They trained harder than the day before. More intense. More demanding. Their movements were sharper, more synchronized. Still not perfect. The whip came out again when needed, but this time it didn’t catch Elena off guard. It corrected. It shaped. By the end, she barely noticed the pain. Only the rhythm remained.

Carol had only been a ponygirl for a couple of months, but the difference was obvious. Elena noticed it in the little things—the steadiness of Carol’s gait, the controlled rise and fall of her breath, the way she held form even under strain. She was stronger. More disciplined. Her body had adapted to the demands in ways Elena’s hadn’t yet.

Together, Elena and Carol were taken to the carousel. Carol was already in full tack—harness tight across her chest, around her waist, and between her legs—posture lifted by the straps, her arms locked behind her. The silicone bit between her teeth, forcing an unnatural smile. Her face calm, unreadable. She didn’t flinch as the handlers checked her bindings, her posture collar keeping her head held high.

Elena stood beside her, nude except for the hoof boots that made every step deliberate and tense. Her thighs still burned from yesterday’s workout. She tried to stand tall, but her balance wavered. Two days of walking almost exclusively on her toes is taking its toll on her feet, unaccustomed to walking in heel for so long.

Without a word, they were led to the carousel’s arms. Carol was immediately clipped to the arm, taking the outside position. Amber approached, something black and leather in her hand.

“You did well by yourself yesterday,” Amber said, her tone deceptively casual, “but it’s time to even the playing field.” Elena stared at the bundle Amber held out to her.

“Wait—what?”

Amber tilted her head. “Carol’s been working in full tack since day one. Don’t you think she might resent you getting softer treatment? A little privilege here, a little favoritism there—it creates cracks. We wouldn’t want Carol feeling like the weaker girl is being protected.”

Elena looked over at Carol. The bit, slick with saliva, gleamed in her mouth. Her arms were locked behind her, forcing her shoulders back and her breasts out in perfect posture. Yet ... she wasn’t glaring or scowling. She gave Elena a small nod.

That nod hit Elena harder than Amber’s words. “I...” Elena swallowed. “Can’t I just hold the bars again?”

Amber smiled, faint and knowing. “Of course you can, but Carol might get jealous. Might think you’re scared—might start to resent you.”

Elena’s chest tightened. Guilt slid in like a knife. “I love her. I don’t want to do anything to hurt her,” she whispered, barely audible.

Amber stepped closer. “Then show her.”

Elena nodded once. Amber raised the bridle. “Open.”

Elena parted her lips reluctantly. The bit slid in—firm, cold, intrusive. It pressed back against her tongue, then deeper, until her mouth stretched wide around it. Her lips pulled into a fixed, unnatural smile. Already, her jaw ached.

The straps came next. Amber buckled them with care and speed, pulling the leather snug across her cheeks, crown, and under her chin. Each one sealed Elena in more tightly. Her hair gathered into a ponytail, and threaded through the rear ring of the headpiece. With a final tug, the bridle settled fully into place.

Elena fidgeted slightly, drool already pooling at the corners of her lips. She felt a sharp pain in her thigh from the crop. “Settle down. Hands behind your back,” Amber said sharply, allowing no response from Elena—only obedience.

Amber clipped her bridle to the inside position of the carousel arm beside Carol. She gave Elena once-over, light swatted her butt, then stepped back.

Renee started the motor. “Walk.” The carousel creaked to life.

Elena stepped forward, jerking slightly as the bit tugged her head forward. She lifted her knees, trying to match Carol’s precision. They moved in circles, high stepping, corrected often with the crop.

She couldn’t see Carol’s face now, not fully—not with the straps pulling on the bridle. However, she could feel her beside her, steady and strong. Elena did her best to keep pace.

Elena didn’t know what time it was, but judging by the sun’s position overhead, it had to be mid-morning. Her body was drenched in sweat. Her jaw throbbed from the bit. Her calves trembled with every step. Her bells jingling as her bare breasts swung freely. The carousel finally creaked to a stop.

Amber and Renee unclipped the girls one by one. Elena staggered slightly when the tension released, her butt and thighs stinging from the frequent application of Amber’s crop. Her balance wavered in the hoof boots, but she caught herself. Carol stood tall beside her, her face unreadable.

Amber and Renee returned a moment later with squeeze bottles—long straws curved like feeding tubes. Cool water surged into Elena’s mouth. She drank greedily, barely able to swallow fast enough as water dripped down her chin. Her lips were numb. Her face hurt from the bit and straps.

After a moment of rest, they were led to the sled training area. Carol was already harnessed, the chains were simply clipped to the steel rings at her sides. She didn’t flinch, her training at the slave market and here at the ranch conditioned her well.

Elena was led to another sled—the same one she’d pulled yesterday. She recognized the harness and the faint drag lines in the dirt. It was already fitted with a harness.

Amber led Elena to the sled and had her step between the chains and picked up the harness. “Lift your arms.” Elena obeyed.

Amber slid the harness into place, tugging the leather tight across her ribs and shoulders, adjusting the fit until it bit in just enough to be felt. “Deep breath.” Elena filled her lungs. Amber tightened the straps before stepping behind Elena, reaching between her legs, and pulling the final strap back between her legs and fastening it to the waist belt.