Task Two
ADULT & YEARLING
-Write or draw about your first training session with your Drover.
This may include as much progress as you would like; the first
pat, the first haltering, the first time being brushed etc. The pr-
ogress of your Drover is completely up to you.
*written task must be 150+ words at the minimum
Ellie had been clear about one thing from her first meeting: she was determined to win this filly over, and would not bring her back to the states until both felt comfortable. Her husband had been understanding, thankfully, and didn't mind her staying in Australia until she was sure.
The first few days were repeats of the first day: the spitfire of a filly testing Ellie to see if she'd cower. She'd even drawn blood in a few ill-placed bites, but the human persisted. It was confusing and even a degree of infuriating - biting and pitching a fit had run everyone else off. Why did this human keep coming back? Day five marked a breakthrough for Ellie and the girl she'd started to call Sunny. She came this time bearing treats, and Sunny wasn't about to turn her little soft nose up at treats.
"I baked these myself," Ellie hummed, letting the filly nibble the treats out of her open palm. "Just for you, Sunny. They've got apple and oat," she cooed, voice soft and gentle despite the hell the beast had been putting her through. The young Drover seemed to let her guard down for the first time; tail swaying gently as she indulged. Her ears stood relaxed, body language not as rigid as it usually was. Ellie took the chance she'd been waiting for: she reached out confidently but slow, rubbing Sunny's neck. The filly paused in her nibbling, eyes turning up to Ellie's. Their eyes met again for a moment, before Sunny accepted the affection and went back to nibbling. It was such a small thing, but everything to Ellie. She couldn't help but babble about it to her husband that night on video call, and cry a little bit, too. Her baby girl had accepted her, even if it was just a tiny bit.
Things managed to get easier from that day on. Petting became brushing, and Sunny seemed to anticipate Ellie's visits. She even ran up to the fencing to greet her, nickering and wiggling as only a leggy little filly could. Soon, the two girls were inseparable. That meant it was time for the final step: bringing her home.
362/100