[blackhoeses]

Username;; blackhoeses
Show Name:Dusting of Powdered Sugar
Barn Name: Sugar
Gender: Stallion
Age: 3 years
Height: 16.1hh
Halter: copper
Discipline: therapy horse
Competition: Sugar had a very rough start to life, he was actually part of a neglect case that ERRP helped with. And he spent almost all of his time alone in a small paddock and stall until he was rescued. Thankfully in spite of that he has come a long way but this sweet guy is super shy around pretty much everything. Except his best bud and the people he helps.

His first day at the farm after getting out of quarantine and getting the all clear form the vet to be put out in a pasture. He was accidentally put out with Grr the staff member who put him out did not realize that Grr was out in the pasture due to the fact that he was flat on his side napping under the big oak tree. It took Sugar a few minutes to realize he was not alone in the pasture. Sugar kept slowly inching closer to Grr and anytime Grr would twitch or flick his tail Sugar and scramble back a few steps. About half way to reaching Grr, Grr woke up he could feel another horse nearby just as he was about to stand up and give this invader a bit of his mind for interrupting his nap. A gigantic horse fly landed on the end of Grr's nose and bit hard. Grr was so surprise by this that he popped right up with a squeal of surprise. Poor Sugar was so startled by this that he went head over rump trying to get away form Grr. As Sugar lay there stunned by his tumble and the weirdness of the universe. Grr seeing this that the other horse was down and breathing hard. Became worried and trotted over to him, Grr couldn't tell you what came over him but he started licking and nuzzling the other stallion. Like his mother used to, Sugar had no idea what was going on and for a few minutes lay there quivering as this big stallion licked and nuzzled him. But as nothing bad happened Sugar slowly calmed down. After Sugar stood up and the two stallions could properly great each other. They stood there awkwardly looking at each other, in true male fashion Grr not knowing what to do turned and walked to his favorite grazing spot and started to graze. Sugar stood there for a few minutes before following Grr and grazing in the same area.

That evening when the staff came to bring in the horses they found Sugar hiding behind Grrs rump at the gate. Which was a comical sight to see due to the fact that both stallions were the same size and some of Grr's tail was hanging over Sugars ears and face. Even more amazing Grr the notorious sweet tooth horse did not push Sugar out of the way to get the treat that the staffer was offering to try and catch Sugar. In fact he was a perfect gentleman almost like he was trying to show Sugar it was ok. After the stallions were both caught and being lead back to the barns. The staff members split up to take the horse to there stalls, Grr put on the breaks and then proceed to drag the poor staff member after Sugar. Sugar and the other helper stopped the minute they saw what was going on. As the two staff members tried to figure out what to do, the barn manger came over and asked what was going on. After hearing the explanation and seeing the normally grumpy loner Grr acting so clingy. They decided to put Sugar in the empty stall next to Grr. This is how not only Sugar but Grr made there first and best friend. And thanks to this bond it helped both horse come out of there shell a little.

[acadicus]

Username;; SpartanAmethyst
Show Name: ARR Waiting for Superman
Barn Name: Dalvir
Gender: Stallion
Age: 5 yrs
Height: 16.2hh
Halter: Surprise me
Discipline: Western Reining, barrel racing, cutting
Competition: "I just don't know what to do; this kind of behavior is totally unnacceptable," Niabi murmured, leaning against the fence defeatedly. Amethyst, the owner of the aptly named Amethyst Ridge Ranch, stood next to her, watching one of their newest Euphorian colts aggressively steal and hoard the biscuits they'd given out to the other yearlings that morning. He had them stacked in a neat little pile and was moving them, one by one, to the back of the pasture, all while kicking and biting at any of the other yearlings that came too close to his prize. "I mean, I don't even understand why he's doing it. He's not aggressive with any other kind of food or treat, nor when they're playing or getting attention. It's only with these biscuits!" She exclaimed, holding up the offending container of her homemade treats.

"Maybe they're just that good," Amethyst chuckled, earning an irritated glare from Niabi as she snuck a biscuit to one of the nearest yearlings, a young mare named Fae. "What I'm more impressed about it the fact that he eats all of those cookies, and hasn't put on any extra weight; he must have one hell of a metabolism."

"But if he's the one eating them, why does he move them all of the way to the back of the pasture instead of just scarfing them down immediately?" Niabi questioned.

"Good point," Amethyst said, watching the colt continue his project. "I'll hang around and see what I can discover. Want to go with me, or are you still working with the other yearlings?"

"I can take a break," Niabi said. "There's only two left to deworm, and I'll take care of them before we put them in for the night."

For the better part of an hour, the two women mirrored his path on the outside of the fence, speaking softly as not to disturb him. He never once got distracted, nor broke from his project; one by one the biscuits were slowly moved until they reached the farthest rear corner of the paddock, just behind the timberline at the base of the mountain. There, something amazing happened: The two watched as Dalvir carefully began to move the biscuits outside of the pasture fence, near to a heavily concealed thicket. Suddenly a little black and white face appeared out of the emerald leaves there, gingerly taking a biscuit and disappearing again. Both Amethyst and Niabi looked at each other in shock; he hadn't been eating all of those cookies. He'd been bringing them to a friend. But this wasn't an Amethyst Ridge horse; where did the little one come from? Slowly Niabi and Amethyst approached the thicket, where they found a little splashed filly hiding in the foliage. She looked up at the humans in terror; the poor thing was covered in cuts and gashes, bruises were visible through her white markings, and one of her forelegs looked broken. Amethyst's heart broke, and she quickly sent Niabi to get the medical cart and a stretcher. Above all else, she needed medical help, now. Amethyst stayed to build a bond with the filly, gaining just enough trust to get her loaded into the stretcher and rush towards the medical barn. All Dalvir could do was watch on and worry.

Over the coming days, Dalvir was taken into a new pasture alone. The new filly, now named Cocoa was put out with him under supervision to make sure he wouldn't play rough with her; their fears were quickly laid to rest when he began to nuzzle her gently, walking the younger filly around the the pasture like a guardian protecting their charge. She was awkward in her cast, but Dalvir was always there to help her. After all, he could make friends with anyone. But Cocoa? She was his friend.

I loved each and every entry, but I can only pick one out of the bunch. Congrats! <3