DAY ONE
Username: OutdatedBoombox
Writing: Most of the horses at Helix are permitted to roam free across long distances, but few are truly wild. A tiny band of three mares, however, is the exception. Consisting of two half-sisters and an adopted filly, there has been no attempt to break any of the trio for riding. Fandi, the lead mare/protector of the group, shows little to no tolerance for the Helix stallions attempting to join her or her charges. Rarely, wild horses from off the property turn up. I saw the group first, perched on the back of one of my dear mares while observing Fandi and her band from afar. Using binoculars, I could make out three or four of a potentially larger group. Fandi immediately showed alarm, parking herself firmly between her sister and niece. Ears up, posture tense, nostrils flared to scent these intruders. The moment she smelled the stallion her ears went down flat, but she still didn't move. At least, not until the shaggy half-shed stud got too close. The sabino mare absolutely exploded, pivoting her powerful rump around to lash out at him with both hind legs. One hoof planted firmly on his chest, the other opening up a minor laceration in his shoulder.
With that, Fandi made it her priority to herd Vatn and Lax as far away from this intrusive band as possible. She moved the band away sideways, both guiding them away and keeping herself between them and the strange herd. The stud of the herd eyed her, a mix of shock and amazement on his face at being attacked by a
mare. And a small mare at that. However, he heeded her warning nonetheless. Looking to his own lead mare for guidance, he ceded entirely when all the stocky grey mare did was turn away and head on a different direction, back over the hill. He followed her as the last yearling disappeared to the other side.
Fandi, on the other hand, seemed rather shaken by the encounter. Vatn, the ever calming creature she is, rested her muzzle on Fandi's back in an effort to soothe her. Lax, a beautiful appaloosa yearling in the process of greying out, nuzzled her way in between the two mares to seek comfort. She earned herself a bit of grooming from her adopted mother, and that seemed to sate her need for attention. Fandi, despite Vatn's attempts to calm her, remained on edge for the rest of the day, even going so far as to keep the small band secluded in a patch of trees that hid a small field. It proved to be tough to get close enough to observe properly, especially as Fandi would hide in the densest trees with the others, effectively obscuring all three from view in the mix of dark brown and green. With patience, however, the trio would come out. Vatn and Lax would return to grazing, occasionally sipping from a misleading puddle that actually hid a small spring welling up from deep underground. Fandi would keep watch, only dipping down periodically to grab a mouthful of the summer grass before returning to her stiff, alert, ears-perked and on the lookout position. By nightfall, however, the sabino had calmed down. She joined her sister and niece in the trees to rest, only looking around one final time to make sure they were well and truly safe. They were. [565 words]
Tolter:Ft.
Fandi,
Lax, &
Vatn