[Sandy Hoofprints]

Username: DarkestWerewolf
Name: Midnight Waltz // Prancer
Gender: Stallion
Colour: Dapple Grey
Genotype: Ee/aa/Gg
Eye Colour: Blue Suede

[DarkestWerewolf]

I wish to claim this horse!
Username: DarkestWerewolf
Name: Midnight Waltz // Prancer

[DarkestWerewolf]

Journal entry #1(260 words)
Today was the day that we’re expecting a new friend. I woke up early to make sure everything was ready for the new stallion.
Stall? Check.
Paddock? Check.
Food? Check.
I murmured as I walked around the stables and going through the checklist. After finally checking off the last checkbox, I looked at the time. It was nearly time for the horse to arrive. He was quite a peculiar one as I’ve heard. There wasn’t much when I first saw the details of the stallion and when I saw his pictures, it really wasn’t much as well. He was a wild child that was caked head to hoof in mud that has been left to try.
His coat was a mystery and he was too wild to let anyone near him. I thought it would be fun to give this stallion a try and applied and sent an online adoption application for him. It was accepted not long after and I managed to schedule a date for him to arrive, which was today.
The trailer finally pulled up and two men rushed back to unload the stallion. I watched from nearby as they unloaded him. He was bursting with wild instinct and energy. He feared and bucked. Struggling to be free from the unknown object on his face.
“Let him into the paddocks.” I said, opening the gate.
They undid his halter and the stallion ran wild.
I’ll have a lot to be working on it seems. I said as I look at the already worn-out halter in the dirt.

Journal entry #2(285 words)
I kept observing the lone mustang in the paddocks. Despite being caked in mud, he was definitely a stunner. I could tell he has a beautiful gait but the dried mud was hindering him. The way he walked was graceful, even with the mud. He was light of his feet and was very agile. Much like a dancer. I decided to see how he’ll react if I went nearer. I slowly walked towards the grazing stallion. He looked up and saw my approaching figure. He turned around slightly to face me. I stopped when he did, cautious of his next action. The stallion stood there, silent but just as cautious. Silence filled the air, it wasn’t long before the stallion casually sauntered off, unafraid. That was the first time I saw a wild that wasn’t afraid of humans.
I decided to up a notch since he isn’t as afraid. I took a handful of handmade honey oatballs and walked into the paddock. He looked at me and noticed something in my hand smelling sweet. He turned and took a few steps towards me. He was still cautious but he wasn’t afraid. I took out a little balled up treat and he ate it from my hand. This continued until I was down to the last honey oatball. I raised my empty hand out in front of him while having the honey oatball in my other hand. He just bent down to eat it and I gently placed my hand on his face. He tensed up for a moment but it quickly disappeared. I stroked him a few times before stepping back. He looked at me one more time before snorting and heading back to grazing.

Journal entry #3(323 words)
Over the course of the next few weeks, I slowly became closer to him by doing simple things like greeting him, feeding him treats and approaching him. The mustang has grown extremely accustomed to my ways. He’d even let me pet him and he is smart enough to even understand basic human language. I decided to up it a notch and put a halter on him. For the past few days. I’ve been hanging a halter outside his stall and sometimes even placing it at the gate of his stall. He would sniff it and snort at it. It was different from the one he arrived in and was definitely much better in terms of quality. I led him to the training ring by coaxing him with treats, which always worked. Inside there, he looked at me inquisitively. His blue eyes trained on me, urging to know what’s happening. I brought out the halter which was as blue as his eyes. I held it out for him and he sniffed it. He didn’t hate it but I could tell he didn’t really like it as well. I slowly slid it bit by bit onto his face until he backs off. I would reward him after and this continued for the following days. Everyday, we slowly made progress. Sure, there are some days where he wouldn’t even let it go over his nose but there are days where we almost have the entire halter over. Eventually, he was comfortable with the halter and allowed be to put it on properly for the first time. The mustang was visually happy as he pranced around me. His legs danced across the ground with such grace, it was mesmerising. I haven’t given him a name yet despite him staying here for quite some time.
“Prancer.” I said.
The stallion stopped and looked at me.
I repeated the name and he neighed.
“That’s your name then.” I laughed.

Journal entry #4(299 words)
Prancer adapted to the halter quickly after that and I decided to take another step. Riding him. I’ve been prepping him by doing the same with the halter. Placing it outside the stall and on his stall gate. He has grown accustomed to it and I decided it was time. I led him to the training ring once more and let him sniff it. The bridle was a bit odd to him because of the bit but he got used to it quickly. I placed the saddle pad on next which he was also fine it. I followed suit by placing the saddle on without buckling it down yet. He froze up a bit and sniffed it and I let him walk around it a few times. I then buckled it into place and that’s when he tried shaking it off. It wasn’t the violent kind. He was just inquisitive and wanted to know what’s on his back. He’s never felt weight on his back before and needed some time getting used to. This continued for a week. Just tacking him up and removing it.
He eventually got used to it and I decided to put some weights on him. I got a bag of 10kg rice and placed it on him. He grunted and looked at me. I assured him it was fine and walked him a couple times until he’s used to it. Every few days, I’ll up the weight by 10kg. It got to the point where he is able to carry nearly 90kg worth before he decided to go wild and unceremoniously buck the bags of rice off. I sighed. At least he’s gotten to that point. I wasn’t as heavy but it was great that he was able to carry more than my weight.

Showering him(336 words)
Prancer was still caked in mud but it has been flaking off every so often. I’ve tried giving him a bath but he would always flee when I bring the hose near him. Most of the mud in his mane and tail were groomed and snipped off when I got him and is slowly growing back but there are still some strains of mud on it. Prancer was irritated every so often because of the dried up mud and it was about time I gave him a good bath. It happened to be a hot day then and I let him to the showering area. It was behind the stalls and faced the other side of the paddock. I tied him there and presented him the hose.
He pressed his ears back and snorted. I cooed him and assured him it was fine. I was able to gain his trust and turned on the hose. I set the water pressure at the lowest level for him to get used to the cool water first. His body tended up for a moment but soon after, he was extremely comfortable. The dried up mud was stubborn and wasn’t able to be washed off easily. I had to set the water pressure at a higher level than normal for the mud to be washed off. I covered him with soap from head to tail and even the soap was browning from the mud. After nearly an hour of scrubbing, I managed to get the mud off. I rinsed off the soap and saw his coat for the first time. He was beautiful. His coat glistened beautifully in the sun and was something I’ve never seen before.
After drying him off and cleaning out his hooves, I let him go into the paddocks. He ran and reared. He was just as excited to be free from the mud. Sure enough, his gait was even better now that the mud was off. He pranced around and neighed putting on a show.

[Sandy Hoofprints]

Congrats, you did a great job with this stallion, he's all cleaned up and looking good <3

[DarkestWerewolf]

Ahhh! Thank you so much! My first HoC *-*