First Touch
Forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=2774800I grumbled as I rubbed my hand. They weren't kidding when they said he was suspicious. The usual methods wouldn't work with him. Who knows what kind of trauma the poor boy had been through. I glanced back in the airplane and saw him finishing up the last of the chickens. I grinned as I got an idea. I spoke quickly to the airport supervisors before driving to KFC and returning with a bunch of fried chicken. I walked into the airplane, holding some. "Heeey pretty boy... I have chicken... Can we be friends now?" I spoke softly, holding a drumstick towards his face. He sniffed it before chomping down on it, eating the meat and the bone. I slowly reached out and began to pet his face as he grumbled. I gave him more chicken before slowly and carefully looping a rope around his neck. I lead him off the plane, and to my nera trailer. I bribed him in with chicken, and then went home with him. What. A. Day.
First Saddle
I sighed to myself as I watched Loki snuff and sneer at his saddle. He screamed at it before grabbing it with his tail and tossing it across the arena, then bounded to the other side, snarling at it. I quickly walked over to him and began to pet him and hum softly. "Its okay my dear little Loki... Don't panic... It's not gonna hurt you.." I reassured him. He settled down a bit, but it was obvious he still wasn't happy. I patted him again before walking away, and returning with Tobias. Tobias stood still as I put his saddle on him and chirped to him. Loki observed from his spot, slowly seeming to relax. I picked up Loki's saddle and walked to him and held it infront of him. He grumbled and sniffed it. I walked to his side and slowly placed the saddle on him. He stood still, but his ears were twitching like crazy. I fastened it up and stroked his side as I spoke "You're such a good boy Loki. I knew you could do it."
First Ride
I ate my watermelon as I watched Loki jog around the arena, wearing his fancy saddle. He was so beautiful, so graceful... The way he prances about with such dignity... I finished my watermelon and walked into the arena. I chirped, and Loki's head turned towards me. He jogged over, looking happy to have my attention on him. He's such an attention diva now that he's gotten to know me and recognizes me as safe. I rubbed his head and neck and massaged his ear before hugging him. "Hey Loki. Wanna try something new today?" I asked him. His response was a quick prance in place and a toss of his head. "Alright then. You gotta trust me, okay?" I said as I rubbed his shoulder. I climbed into the saddle and felt him instantly freeze. I waited, and waited. And waited. After 10 minutes of him standing frozen in place, I gently nudged his sides. "Hey, you're okay..." I said. He jumped in surprise, looking around. He looked at me, then around again. He shifted from foot to foot, finally testing the weight on his back. I waited until he seemed more sure of himself, then nudged his sides again. "Walk for me, Loki." I said to him. He turned his head to look at me before turning his head back and walking around the arena. "Oooh who's a good boy? Loki is a good boy! Loki is getting 5 whole extra chickens tonight!" I said to him. He jumped in joy at the word "chicken" and then galloped around the arena. In his joy, he forgot I was on him and I got thrown off. Well, atleast the dirt is soft... Ish. I guess. I laid on the ground, staring at the sky, trying to regain my breath. Loki walked over and snuffed at me and then licked my face. "Yes, yes. I forgive you." I said as I patted his nose.
EXTRAS (for fun, not for extra training.)
Extra Story 1 - Meeting TobiasI figured if I was gonna have a stallion in my nera family, it'd be best to introduce him to the calmest member first. Loki paced around in the outdoor arena, enjoying the sunshine. As I let Tobias into the arena, his attention quickly snapped to Tobias, my sleepy, lazy gelding. Tobias wandered over to a corner to nap while Loki stood completely still, watching Tobias from a distance. After half an hour of Tobias napping and Loki watching, Loki gathered his courage and slowly walked across the arena to Tobias and began sniffing him, hesitantly. I smiled as Tobias' ears twitched but he didn't move. After awhile of watching Loki sniff, I was surprised when he suddenly plopped down by Tobias and laid in the dirt, drifting off to sleep by his new friend.
Extra Story 2 - Meeting Kuarei and VeratalaLoki bounded around the indoor arena, frustrated. He wanted to be in the outdoor arena, but it was raining, and I didn't want to work with soaking wet neras meeting for the first time. I walked away and returned leading Kuarei and Veratala. I let them into the arena and then sat down, watching. Loki had gained a bit of confidence with neras since his meeting with Tobias. He slowly walked over to the pair, his head held high, trying to display dominance. Veratala huffed and bit him while Kuarei sniffed his side. Loki fled to the other side of the arena. Kuarei followed and flopped over onto his side and then rolled onto his back, kicking his legs in the air and wiggling. Loki responded by playfully trying to bite Kuarei's toes. I giggled to myself. It was a funny sight. Veratala walked over, her head high and her walk confident. Loki lowered his head, backing up a bit. Veratala, proud of her status as dominant over the stallion, walked away and sat down, observing the two males. Kuarei rolled over onto his feet and took off running, glancing back at Loki. Loki tilted his head, then bounded after him, nipping at his tail and heels playfully.
Extra Story 3 - Meeting EstrellaI sat on the fence, watching Loki chase a ball around the arena. I couldn't help it, I was worried he'd slip and fall and hurt himself. He jumped on the ball, and seemed shocked as it shot across the arena. His shock was followed by joy as the chase continued. I slipped away, and quietly returned with my young, hyper, sweet girl, Estrella. I let her into the arena and quickly closed the gate before she could run back out. Estrella, noticing the ball and the strange new nera, quickly joined in the chase. She playfully bumped into Loki's side. Loki jumped, then stopped and retreated, surprised by the nera who seemed to have appeared out of thin air. I tried to stifle a laugh as Estrella's attention turned from the ball to Loki, and she threw herself on him and knocked him over to the ground. Loki quickly squirmed away, standing in the corner as he tried to get his bearings. Estrella, feeling rejected, returned to the ball. After 10 minutes of watching her, Loki finally decided he liked her and started chasing her, and the ball. He nipped her tail and her side playfully, and would occasionally bound past her to knock the ball in the opposite direction.
Extra Story 4 - Personality Progression and a DecisionI find it hard to believe Loki is the same nervous stallion I rescued from the plane. He has his moments where he still freezes up and gets nervous and suspicious, and he's still shy and nervous around new people and neras... But around me, and my neras, he's a mischievous, playful ball of life. He loves racing with Midna when I let them in the arena together. He enjoys sunbathing by Tobias while Tobias naps. He very very much enjoys flirting with Veratala, until she gets annoyed and bites him. He loves to wrestle with Kuarei and be "dominant" over someone. Sad thing though... Loki's a stallion, so I can't leave him with the mares 24/7... Otherwise there'd be accidental babies everywhere, you know? He loves company.. So I've decided. I'm going to find him a gelding companion to live in his pasture with him. It'd have to be a submissive male, one who wouldn't challenge his authority, but one who has energy to romp and play. This is gonna be a fun challenge.
Extra Story 5 - The StormI walked a bit faster as I led cows into stalls in the stallion barn. The dark clouds over head and the feel in the air make me nervous, and I know a storm is coming. I've already gotten all the chickens in the barn, I've got Kuarei and Veratala in one stall. During storms, it makes them feel better to be in the same stall. Tobias is happily sleeping in his stall, and Estrella is chomping on a a salt lick in hers. All I have left 2 more cows, and Loki. I quickly led the cows in and locked them in their stalls. As I walked out the door, lightning flashed through the sky and a rumble followed shortly after. I hurried over to the stallion pasture as the rain began to pour down. "Loki! Here boy!" I called out into the pasture, but I saw no sign of him. I walked into the pasture and jumped as another rumble filled the air. "LOKI!" I called again, louder this time. I searched the pasture, finding it harder and harder to walk as the dirt began to turn to mud. I shivered as I turned around. If he didn't want to come in, then I can't make him. I started walking back to the gate, but stopped. Loki was waiting for me by the gate. I could see him shaking from here. "Loki!" I called to him and made a clicking sound. His ears flicked as he turned his head to me. He quickly came over to me, having far less trouble with the mud. "Loki..." I mumbled as I petted him. I quickly climbed onto his back, and held onto him. I directed him over to the gate, which he then walked to. I bent over and opened the gate. "Loki, barn..." I said to him and nudged his sides with my heels. He jumped as a flash lit up the sky, followed immediately by the familiar rumble. I got off his back and hugged him, trying to calm him. It only helped a little, he was still freaking out. I quickly walked to the barn, then turned around, "Loki! Over here!" I called to him. He jumped again and ran over to me, shaking. I hugged him and petted his neck as I led him to his stall. I locked him in the stall and got some blankets. I walked back to his stall and started wrapping him in blankets and rubbing him with them, trying to help him warm up. After awhile, he seemed to be warm and dry, and I was getting tired. I curled up against Loki's side and drifted off to sleep.
Extra Story 6 - First War PaintI hummed as I brought Loki into the arena. I let him loose in the arena and walked away, returning with a bucket full of chicken, and a container full of animal-safe, non-toxic paint. I whistled and he walked over to me, curiously. I gave him the bucket full of chicken and tried not to laugh as he began to eat. I rubbed his side, humming, which he ignored. I opened the paint, dipped my fingers in and began to draw on his side. He jumped, squealing in surprise at the sudden cold, wetness on his side. He sniffed it and snorted, obviously displeased with the smell. I offered him the chicken bucket again, which he resumed eating. I once again began to paint his side, though this time he was prepared and didn't care in the slightest. I stepped back and admired my work. He lifted his head, curiously. Aaah. That's what it needs. I painted on his face a bit, which he wasn't overly thrilled about, but he allowed. "You're so handsome." I said to him. I rubbed him with my clean hand, then led him out to his pasture and let him loose, still covered in his paint.
