by WolvesOfFire » Sat Mar 26, 2016 7:38 am
The Important Tasks
1000 CPs
meeting your horse
I entered the stables with Kyle, my guide, eyes traveling over the clean, well kept interior. Dust bubbled like golden fairy dust in the sun that pored through the cracks and the sweet smell of fresh hay wafted from the stalls. I was here to help out an Ancient Irish War Pony from some terrible situation, and help him regain trust, train him up and love him forever.
"So which one is mine?" I asked quietly, scanning the stalls. In the one closest to me, a pretty bay mare snorted and tossed her head, peering at me through her tangled black forelock. My heart ached for all these poor ponies who'd been mistreated by humans, the species they were supposed to love and carry through any situation. How many would get their trust rebuilt, and how many would forever hate the creatures that abused them?
"Over here." Kyle's voice broke me from my reverie as the tall, brown haired seventeen year old gestured me over to where he was standing. I walked up to him, footsteps echoing in a friendly way on the wooden floor. I peered curiously into the stall his long finger pointed at, looking my horse over for the first time.
The appaloosa stallion abutted, throwing his head suspiciously. Though covered in grime, he was obviously a beautiful horse. "Hey boy," I whispered, reaching my hand into his stall. He squealed and backed away, rump hitting the back wall. "It's ok," I told him, pulling out the sugar cube I'd saved for my new horse. "What's his name?" I asked Kyle, not turning from my horse.
"Charm the Bad Girls." Kyle laughed a bit, keeping his voice down as to not scare him. "But we've been calling him Leo."
"Leo sounds nice," I murmured, holding my breath as the pony's muzzle neared my hand. He really wanted that sugar cube, he just didn't quite know how to get it. "It's ok, you can have it," I promised, stretching my hand out a bit more. Cautiously, Leo bumped my hand with his nose, sending shivers of delight up my spine. Since he seemed to like the sound of my talking, I continued in a soft, gentle voice.
"That's it, boy. We're going to be good friends, you'll see." Leo's lips were edging closer to the white cube that rested on my palm. "Yeah, I know you like me. You're just afraid to admit it." I felt like jumping in excitement when Leo delicately picked the treat off my palm, then backed away quickly as though he was shocked by what he'd done.
"Good boy!" I praised him, reaching out a hand. Leo backed away in suspicion.
"You're good with him," Kyle noted. "He's never taken food from anyone before."
"I think we'll get along just fine," I replied, as I watched my new horse.
introducing them to their new home
gaining their trust
bath time
vet check up
farrier time
feeding time
healthy and clean
The Fun Tasks
200 CPs
first experience with halter and lead rope
meeting a friend
first trail ride
ground work
trick learning
perform in a chosen discipline
first experience with water
practice makes perfect
