((I did see that. So sad, especially for Lea and his family.))
Michael Brooks-O'ConnerGroup A :: Spot :: Polo
♥ Single ♥
>> Grazing the Ponies
>> With:
None>> Mood: Pensive
Michael moved to Spot's window first, untying the appaloosa's lead rope and scratching the horse's spotted muzzle. Spot gave a soft nicker and wuffled Michael's hand affectionately. "Did you have a good trip, love?" The horse let out a deep sigh and Michael smiled, taking the gesture as a yes. "Just a minute longer then, gotta get the crazy Lady first." As if on cue the other horse started kicking the side of the trailer. "Quit it!" At his reprimand the mare stopped, but the trailer still swayed slightly from her anxious movement. Michael sighed and slid under the goose-neck, then opened Lady's window and untied her lead. "A little patience wouldn't hurt once in a while you know." He moved to open the back of the trailer, moving quickly to the side as Lady backed out in a huff. As she came out, he caught the purple lead with practiced precision. The mare's ears pricked and turned excitedly, but for a moment at least she was standing still. He took this opportunity to tie her to the side of the trailer, then went back for Spot. He clicked his tongue, "Come on Spotty, up and out." In contrast to Lady, the Polo pony exited cautiously, dangling one foot over the back of the trailer before stepping down. The horse looked around, nostrils flaring to take in the new smells then... without any further ado he put his head to sample the grass around the trailer. Michael grinned, "I suspect you two could use some-leg stretching... and grass munching, of course." Holding Spot's rope loosely in his left hand, he went to untie Lady then took both horses around to the front of the truck to hand-graze. Michael breathed deeply and rolled his shoulders, limbs still slightly stiff from the long car ride. The two horses took the the grass eagerly, muzzles touching as they grazed side by side.
"Couple of love birds you are." Michael said to no one in particular. He scanned the yard in front of him, attempting to pick out familiar faces. He had looked up some of the students on Facebook but for now he didn't recognize any, well, except Sam of course who was talking to some guy near the entry of the barn. Well, that's a first. It wasn't entirely true of course. Sam wasn't entirely unsocial, but it was usually Michael who reached out to people first. I should quit moping. He thought. In truth he wasn't sure why he felt so out of place here. It was similar enough to Bayley. Beautiful horses. First class barn. Students eager for their first days. And yet, he was balking. He missed the kind gruffness of coach McKinley, Alex's teasing, and Chelsea's... well, Chelsea's everything. His usual smile twisted downward. This wasn't going to work at all. He needed to quit thinking. About Bayley. About her. About home. He glanced back towards the truck to check on Louis, smiling when he saw the cat sunning contentedly on the dashboard. "Alright kids let's find your stalls."
The entrance to the barn was crowded with people and horses. On one side, Sam and the boy with the Palomino had moved further out towards the paddocks's but many more moved in and out to tend to their animals. Neither Michael or Spot minded the hustle and bustle, but Lady began to prance around nervously. "Hey now, calm down girlie." The mare huffed anxiously and Michael led her in a circle, letting Spot fall to the end of his lead. A redheaded girl {Aspen} leading a sorrel mare in western tack was attempting to exit the barn but with her prancing Lady was blocking the way. The girl's horse too seemed nervous, or really just excited. With top level horses you got a lot of energy and the mare was no exception. He backed both his horses away from the door. "Sorry about that. Didn't mean to trap you!" He called in a friendly tone, "They're all strung up this morning, arn't they?"
))
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