[canis,]

We recently got an urgent call from the local authorities. It seems that they were called in after a recent sighting of a very skinny, odd-looking horse left out in the freezing cold. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered a huge Kleeare stable to be abandoned. The Kleeare were simply left, some in the pasture, some trapped in their stalls. And all extremely emaciated. We responded quickly, arriving at the stable and assessing the condition of each Kleeare. The sight shocked us, but we did not fret. We brought each one of the Kleeare back to our place, where they were evaluated by our veterinarian. Some cases were more extreme than others, but all of them had the chance to be saved. That's where you step in...

This Kleeare is very aggressive. It was one of the last to be caught by rescuers, mostly because they were scared of it..

Username; Ardelis
Name; Thane
Gender; Stallion
Coat Colour; Blood Bay Snowcap Appaloosa
Genotype; Ee/Aa/LpLp/PATN2patn2/Frfr/StRm

[Ardelis]

Kleeare Name; Thane
Gender; Stallion

#1; Challenge #1
#2; Challenge #2
#3; Challenge #3
#4; Challenge #4
#5; Challenge #5
#6; Challenge #6

[Ardelis]

There was chill in the air that began to seep through the barn. Thane stood with his rump in the corner of the stall, his eyes glued warily to the door. The barn was mostly quiet but every sound set the stallion on edge. Too many people had been around. All pushing and pulling him, poking and prodding. He may have been glad to be rid of his old home, but that feeling was quickly washed away by the hatred he felt towards humans.
The muffled sound of footsteps steadily started coming towards him down the stall row. Thane's ears flicked forward at first but as the sound grew louder he promptly set them flat and let out a loud snort. A short woman with a slightly stocky frame and long, thick dark chocolate hair falling in loose waves across her cheeks and back quietly looked through the bars at the matted and filthy stallion. As she shook her head with a sad look on her face Thane lowered his head and let loose a loud snort once more. He pawed at the ground angrily hoping to intimidate the woman. She just stood there with the sad look still playing upon her face. "Who could ever hurt such a beautiful creature like you?" She said in a soft almost musical tone.
Slowly and gently she unlatched the stall door and stood in the opening. Thane lunged forward, leaving little room between himself and the woman before rearing slightly off the ground and whinnying loudly. The woman stood there calmly, waiting for Thane to get his frustration out. When he finally stood still, breathing heavily and not letting his eyes leave her, she slowly opened her hands and showed him her open palms by her sides. Thane glared at the woman before sniffing her open palm. The action was followed promptly by a squeal and Thane rushing back to the corner of his stall. The smallest of smiles tugged gently at the corners of her mouth. She was impressed he'd even sniffed at her especially after the rescue staff warned her that he was aggressive.
She heard the man shout outside the barn letting her know the trailer was ready. With a soft sigh she stepped towards the stallion once more, palms still flat, trying to assure the troubled Kleeare there was nothing to worry about. Thane kept his ears flat but didn't charge at the woman. Despite his lack of trust and immense anger at the situation he was curious to see what she was doing. All the others had just grabbed at him, with little caution. She gently pulled the rope from her neck and wrapped it around his. Thane flinched at the feeling and squealed before throwing his head back. The woman kept her grip on the rope but made sure not to yank on him. When he settled she gently pulled the rope. Trying to ease him forward.
At first he wouldn't budge, but eventually he slowly picked up one foot and moved it forward. Slowly but surely the woman brought Thane from his stall to the trailer. At the sight of the metal box Thane locked up and refused to budge. The woman chuckled surprised that her luck had lasted this long. She motioned for the man next to the trailer to grab the end of the lead rope on the other side. Gently they brought it down to his rump and at the same time both tugged lightly, creating pressure on his backside. At the sensation Thane lunged forward and found himself exactly where he'd tried to stay out of, right in the trailer. Frustrated and fed up Thane lashed out, squealing and kicking the trailer. The man and woman hopped into the truck without a word and headed off to their stables.

[Ardelis]

After a bit of improvisation and a lot of patience Penelope and the man unloaded Thane from the trailer. The matted and bony stallon stood at full attention, ears pricked and puffing loudly. After the kicking and thrashing on the way over Penny was impressed he still had this much energy considering his poor state of health. Quietly and gently she walked him past the main barn which was an impressive structure made of dark wood and iron. It was the new stable where most of the other horses were housed. Being new and in already in poor health she thought it would be best to keep him in the old barn, which was almost completely empty, for now until his health improved a bit and his temperament evened out. A short distance behind the large barn was a faded structure that sat solmnly in the shadows. It seemed as though nothing dared move near it.
The silence of the old building comforted Thane. He almost felt himself relax with each step. Something about the stillness of the place just made him feel at ease. There wasn't the bustle and noise he'd been forced into the past few days. It was almost like before the strangers had come, like the silent nights under the stars that he spent alone in the tiny, filthy paddock.
Penny sensed as Thane eased up and allowed a silent smile to dance across her face. So there was a gentle bone or two in the nearly feral Kleeare's body. Gently she opened the barn door and led Thane to the back stalls in the main wing. In the small block 4 empty stalls waited in silence for their next guests. Penny brought Thane to the stall with an open door on the front right of the block. Before she'd left to pick him up she'd made sure to cushion the floor with a soft layer of saw dust. A black bucket hung in the corner to the right of the door and to the left half a flake of alfalfa hay fluffed out waited, hanging from the feeding grate. She'd picked the largest stall wanting to give him time to adjust and fatten up slowly before she began too much work with him.
Thane pricked his ears forward and cautiously sniffed and the stall before him. It looked far more inviting than any he'd ever seen. The water and hay were too much to resist. He took a few steps forward and into his new home. He took a couple deep drinks of water before turning to munch happily on his hay. He hasn't even noticed that Penny was in the stall with him and her hand was on his shoulder.
Quietly she removed herself from the darkening stall. Night was settling in and it was time for Thane to rest up before beginning the next step towards his recovery.

[Ardelis]

It had been about a month since Thane's arrival. He had begun putting on weight and was slowly allowing Penny to do more and more with him. Until now administering his medidication was a bit of a pain; due to his emaciation Penny had to force him to take them without any aide. He was finally to the stage where he could eat light treats and not just the alfalfa.
Penny walked through the sun washed field towards the small barn where Thane was still housed. Before going to his stall she walked in to the feed room to prepare his medicine. With a smile she grabbed a small scoop of beet mash and dumped it into a feed bowl. She added a splash of warm water and stirred it briefly before adding in Thane's medication. She mixed up the mash one more time before leaving the feed room. She couldn't control her excitement. Thane hated getting his medicine so she hoped this would turn the experience into a positive one for him.
Thane snorted in irritation as he heard Penny approaching. He knew why she was here. Same time the past 4 weeks she came to squirt that disgusting liquid down his throat. He backed himself into the corner and flicked his ears back waiting for her.
Penny chuckled at the sight of the cranky stallion. He was probably one of the smartest Kleeare's she'd met. Penny stopped at the stable door and smiled at the grumpy stallion before entering the stall. As she walked into the stall she gave Thane a side ways glance as he let out a loud snort. Quietly she set the dish down in the corner before exiting the stall. Standing back a bit she patiently watched the temperamental Kleeare.
Thane watched Penny with mild interest as she brought in the dark bowl. After she left his stall he waited a moment, staring at the bowl with immense interest. After looking around to make sure he couldn't see her watching Thane tip toed forward. After taking a tentative sniff Thane grabbed a small bit of mash between his lips. It tasted sweet, a refreshing change from the usual alfalfa. Happily, he dove into the bowl eating the contents in a matter of seconds.
Penny smiled as she watched Thane enjoy his medicine. After he finished she quickly scooted in to remove the bowl. Finally she felt better about taking the steps necessary to keep him on the track to a quick recovery.

[Ardelis]

Penny had finally been able to let Thane out of his stall in leave him to graze in the paddock near his barn. The first time she let him loose she wondered if she'd ever get him back! He kicked and ran, throwing his head carelessly as he charged through the paddock. Penny decided, after a few weeks, that it was time to try to resocialize Thane. There was a pasture next to Thane's that she had decided to put one of her horses out in to see how he reacted. Remy, her Warlander draft cross, was a bit hot headed but he was confident and very out going. She hoped the two would get along even though Thane was still acting a bit aggressive. Remy was not the type to be put off by bad personalities and short tempers which made Penny a little more confident with the pairing.
Remy was already out in the neighboring pasture when Thane walked out into his paddock. Immediately Thane straightened up and let out a short squeal. His ears flicked back and shortened his steps, almost prancing as he entered the paddock. Itwonder een so long since he'd seen another animal, let alone another stallion. After Penny unclipped the halter Thane rushed forward, charging through the paddock towards Remy. He skidded to a halt in front of the painted grullo stallion. Nostrils flaring Thane intently sniffed at Remy, trying to size up the new stallion.
Remy sniffed back at Thane, amused with his bravado. He stood at the fence looking the strange equine over with immense curiosity. He couldn't help but wonder why the new stallion felt the need to be so odd. Remy flicked his short trimmed tail and turned his back. He didn't need to play the dominance game. Frankly he just wasn't interested in trying to out alpha this stallion.
Thane stood baffled by the new stallions blatant lack of interest in him. He watched as the painted stallion grazed quietly in his pasture. After about 5 minutes of stomping his hooves and repeated snorting Thane gave up and turned to graze himself. Every now and then he would give the other stallion a side glance. As the afternoon progressed Thane moved closer and closer to the neighboring field. By the time Penny returned to grab Thane the two were grazing side by side along the fence.
That was the beginning of a friendship Penny hoped would last a life time. Every time Penny let Thane out she made sure Remy was in the neighboring field. As the weeks passed the two became chummy. Thane actually looked forward to going out and seeing his friend. The two would charge along the fence kicking up their heels and throwing back their heads. They would squeal playfully at each other before running away then returning to the fence. Penny couldn't help but smile as she watched her new stallions rough demeanor slowly start to melt away.

[Ardelis]

Penny walked quietly into the indoor arena with Thane. She started off introducing him to the space by walking around the perimeter. She let him stop and sniff as much as he wanted. This was their first day of work. Months of hard work rebuilding his body weight and trying to gain his trust; Penny finally felt confident Thane could handle starting to exercise. After they walked around Penny made her way to the center of the ring with Thane. They stood there a moment, looking at each other each wondered what the other was thinking. Penny slowly reached her hand out to touch Thane's chest. A shiver of joy ran through her as her fingers gently brushed over his fur and he didn't flinch. She'd worked so hard to get to this moment. Slowly she took a step back and clicked her tounge. She flicked the end of the lunge rope in his direction.
Thane flung himself forward aomost knocking Penny over as he went. It had been so long since he'd been asked to do anything like this. He cantered wildly for a moment before trotting then stopping dead. Penny flicked the rope at him again and he lunged forward once more. This time he heard the rope slapping the ground next to her. She kept moving with him, her shoulder aligned with his. He pushed his speed slightly before settling into a steady trot.
The two stayed in the steady rhythm for a couple minute before Penny put herself slightly in front of Thane flicking the rope in front of him. Thane came to a bouncy stop before Penny redirected him to the other direction. Penny let Thane pick up the same trot once more. She smiled contently at his eagerness to work. It seemed as though having a purpose again lifted his spirits and brought him a little further out of his bitter shell. After a few moments she stopped him once more and brought him in to her. She rested her hand on his shoulder and whispered "good job".
Thane walked with Penny slowly around the ring once more. The exercise was refreshing. He loved the feeling of having a purpose once more. The woman was finally getting through to him. He, reluctantly, was beginning to lower his guard.

[Ardelis]

The moment had finally arrived; today the Kleeare Association were to come evaluate Thane's progress. Though Penny was more than confident in all the pair had achieved, she couldn't help feel the slightest hint of nervous energy. Thane looked like a completely different Kleeare from when he had arrived. His temper was even finally starting to even out. Penny's unwavering faith and kindness had worked magic on the stubborn creature.
Thane poked his head out from his stall to sniff Penny over as she stood near by. He hasn't sensed this energy from her before. She was always so cool and even, sometimes infuriatingly so. He shoved her shoulder with his muzzle and let out a soft whiny in an attempt to calm her. Thane had finally let down his guard with the woman. She had never shown an ounce of emotion to him that was negative. After months of constant concern and care the stubborn stallion finally felt comfortable enough to trust her. It was a big deal for him, especially after all that had happened in the past. Penny would never steer him wrong though, of that he was absolutely certain.
Penny chuckled at her newest companion. After giving her watch a brief glance she patted Thane's cheek gently and rushed out of the barn. She returned a few moments later with two people in tow. The pair glanced in at Thane, who in his usual fashion flicked his ears back and gave them a look of immense annoyance. Penny laughed softly before entering the stall. She gently placed his halter over his face and led him out towards the cross ties. He followed quietly almost curious as to why she was brining him out and who these people were.
Once on the ties the people from the Kleeare Association looked Thane over thoroughly. His weight was almost perfectly where it needed to be, only the slightest hint of rib showed through his shiny coat. They were a bit surprised to see he had a white snowcap on his rump. He was so filthy when they found him they thought he was a muddy brown all over. He actually was the most stunning blood bay with incredible contrasting white markings.
After looking the stallion over from head to toe and having Penny lunge him briefly, the man from the association shook Penny's hand before leaving with his partner. Penny smiled beyond ecstatic with their review. "They think you're close to perfect handsome" she cooed softly to Thane. As she walked Thane out towards his paddock she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with excitement and wonder what would be next for them. Rescuing Thane was absolutely the best decision she had ever made.