[gull.]

Rescued from the event.
For Masterplan

"This gelding's history is entirely unknown. But, from his young age and slightly standoffish personality, it's obvious that he wasn't handled much. He's not aggressive, but he's slightly skittish and doesn't like to be haltered. He's still very foal-like in his tendencies, and is a follower with other older horses. He'll needs someone who is patient and doesn't rush him to accept things like humans or halters, and would probably do well with a mature, calm horse that can work as an example for him. But, with a little time and effort he'll be the perfect companion!"

Owner: X
Show Name: Bulletproof Heart
Barn Name: Gunner
Gender: Gelding
Post: X

Code: Select all

[b]Show name[/b]:
[b]Barn name[/b]:
[b]Halter color[/b]:

[b]Task 1[/b]:
[b]Task 2[/b]:
[b]Task 3[/b]:

The halter will be added only after you complete your tasks, because he will officially be yours. He is gelded, so he can not be used in breedings.

[Masterplan]

Show name: Bulletproof Heart
Barn name: Gunner
Halter color: Black with orangey red zigzags please ^^'

Task 1: Below
Task 2: Below
Task 3: WIP

[Masterplan]

Task One- Finding Trust

When Gunner first turned up at our ranch, he was completely skittish and unwilling to near anyone, clearly nervous from his new surroundings. We let him into the round pen on his own for a while, leaving him to settle and get a good drink and eat from the two buckets that had been left for him while awaiting his arrival. I knew well enough that I needed to get some of the mud off his coat however, he was covered in it. The next morning I come back to him, I needed to get his trust. As I approached the fence, he backed away slightly, but didn't seem too afraid. I called softly out to him, with no response. I could tell he had some interest however, as his ears perked forward a tiny bit- about as much as their floppiness would allow. A soft smile on my face, I produced a peppermint from my pocket. I held it out with a flat palm, waiting for him to decide if he wanted it or not. He took a single cautious step forwards testingly, almost as if he was trying to see if I would yank it away as soon as he neared. When I didn't, he came to me and took the mint, all the while eyeing me and watching my every move. I moved my hand towards his forelock to stroke his face, which he spooked at slightly, but once he realised my touch was purely kindness he calmed and stood still, seeming enjoying it. I wondered what his past was- had he ever felt a kindly touch such as this? Who knew. Not me- or even the event I rescued him from. I had zoned out slightly, and when I snapped out of it and looked at Gunners face he looked slightly confused, probably at my sudden lack of movement. A small chuckle escaped my lips and I began fishing around in my pocket, looking both for another mint and the horse brush I had somehow managed to shove in there. I pulled them both out and fed him the mint, but not before letting him sniff and get used to the brush. I walked around his side, which he seemed wary of, but as soon as I dragged the soft bristled brush across his side I could tell he was enjoying himself. A small smile come to my lips, I could tell I had earnt this boy's trust.

412 words Holy lemons when did I learn to write this much I hate writing XD

[Masterplan]

Task Two- Medical Care

After having Gunner for a week or so, it was decided to get both the vet and farrier in to have a look at him. So far, me and few others had been with Gunner, so he was still fairly skittish around new people, but I was sure he would be a good boy. The vet was scheduled to arrive first, meaning I was going to have to get Gunner stabled pretty soon. I had learnt over the past week that he was definitely more of a pasture boy, he clearly preferred being out in an open field rather than in a stall, which was fairly understandable due to the fact that it was more likely that he had never been stalled to much in his past. He still wasn't used to halters yet however, which could be quite a barrier sometimes. I had learnt that if I showed him a mint however, it was more than likely that he would decide to follow me- for the mint or because he had learnt to I didn't know but he was willing enough to follow me. Once stabled I fed him his mint and left, awaiting the vets arrival. Once he turned up, I showed him straight to Gunner, who was stood lazily in his stall, a bit of hay hanging from the corner of his mouth. I chuckled softly and walked up to him, and petted his velvety muzzle softly before introducing the vet to him. Gunner was slightly nervous at this new person, but after receiving a horse cookie, he was fine- so long as the vet didn't go out of his range of sight.
After receiving a clean bill of health, other than a few very minor scars here and there, the vet left. The farrier arrived just as the vet was leaving. After giving his hooves a good file and checking to see if he would need shoes- which he didn't- the farrier also left, and so I let him back out into the pasture, where he had a good run with a playful buck or two.
Gunner then decided to roll in the muddiest puddle he could find.

362 words WHERE ARE ALL THESE WORDS COMING FROM OML

[Masterplan]

Task Three- General Rehabilitation

After a month of being at the barn and setting down with the other horses, Gunner had gained a lot of confidence and was finally settled in, healthy and happy. Still yet to be successfully haltred or bridled however; as he had taken to the saddle like a duck to water but whenever a halter or bridle got to close to him, he would whinny in a terrified manner, and back away until bolting away if he had the space. After leaving the halter closer and closer to his stall each night after bedding him down, however, he became gradually more and more easy and accepting towards it. When it finally sat on his door whiteout him freaking out, it was gradually put on him- first just letting him smell it, then resting the nose pice across his face, and finally putting it onto him softly, without the buckles done up on it. The longer he let it sit on him, the more apples he got, and so Gunner became happy to wear his halter- so long as he got an apple or two. Gunner took to the bridle similarly too; but seemed slightly shocked at the cold bit between his teeth and refused to stop tossing his head and trying to chew at it, and continued to do so until we tried a bitless bridle which he was perfect with.
Backing him was slightly different however... it was clear that to begin with he was quite shocked by the weight placed upon his back and he had no idea what to do- buck? Take the commands he was receiving? Eventually he was yet again won over by- guess what- apples. Clearly his favourite treat.

[Masterplan]

Just completed, IM SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG idk why but I was under the impression I had done this when I just checked but apparently not? I'm reaaalllyyy sorry >~<