After finishing her ride, Dark Horse Equestrian Center barn manager Kayla Candelmo sweeps the hallway of the indoor stalls in Saco.

Candelmo tightens the girth on a thoroughbred named Cove Bay before being riding the horse. "A lot of people say to me, 'Oh horses are so scary!' and I'm like, 'Really? They're afraid of their own shadows,'" Candelmo said.

Candelmo, 24, riding Cove Bay, went to South Portland High School and has been working for horse barns since she was 14. Candelmo eventually hopes to train horses in addition to her role as a barn manager.

Candelmo has been working at the barn for three years. Along with caring for the horses, she also maintains the property and facility.

Candelmo runs her hand along her horse, Cruz, before riding him in Saco.

Candelmo walks Cove Bay back inside the indoor arena.

Candelmo puts leg wraps on Cove Bay to protect her tendons and ligaments, in case her hooves make contact with her legs while being exercised.

Candelmo rides Cove Bay near Dark Horse Equestrian Center in Saco.

Candelmo brushes out Cove Bay before riding her.

Candelmo adjusts part of a pasture fence as she walks along portions of the Dark Horse Equestrian Center property to look for needed repairs.

Candelmo coaxes Cove Bay out of the pasture and into the arena to be exercised. Cove Bay is 10 years old, and recently retired from a race track in Massachusetts. "Training a horse from the track can be challenging. She wants to go like a bulldog, and it can be challenging to slow her down. But she's athletic, and has a good mind," Candelmo said.

Candelmo rides with trainer Rebecca Schack, left, in Saco.