2022 Makeover - Phase 1: Key Objective + Story - 2632

The chestnut yearling hurtled out of his trailer and into the round pen. He was agitated and flighty, as most rescues were. Watching him silently, hidden from view, Bellamy waited for him to settle. The colt still wore a red bedazzled halter, from his previous home, catching the sun. Bellamy read over his info package again.

A whistle and a note were included from the young teen who had owned him. Obviously, the one who had chosen the halter. Scribbles on paper explained the colt had been orphaned very young and bottle-fed by them. She’d trained him to come to the whistle, and he was an amazing bright baby. Unfortunately, they’d failed to socialise him, he became very attached to people, leading to incidents as he aged. Eventually things escalated, the girl was injured, and he became too dangerous for them. They felt they had no choice but to relinquish him. 

His info warned he was hard to contain, after several escapes at the facility. Bellamy had remembered that, opting to keep him in the high-fenced round pen.

As the colt began to settle, he sniffed around the pen. Tenderly nibbling on the hay scattered around. Two of the mares in the neighbouring paddocks took an interest in him, whinnying curiously. He lifted his head to look but then moved away, ignoring them. As he moved, Bellamy came into his line of sight. His ears poised as he scanned the human obsessively. His eyes honed onto Bellamy and he scarcely blinked. Dancing, he nickered enthusiastically to the boy, desperate for attention. Bellamy remembered his information, noting the human separation anxiety and decided to back away, to give him time to settle more. 

He didn't want to be a distraction. 

Bellamy had disappeared from view several minutes before, but the colt still searched for him. He trotted along the fence line, tail and nostrils held high. Again, the mares tried to call to him but he simply flicked his tail at them. Sniffing the ground and air, he patrolled, winding himself up as he searched for any sign of human. He wasn't sure if this was a friendly human or one like that trainer. He didn't care, anything was better than nothing.

Fortunately, the walls were much too high to jump. Although he did try a few approaches, swerving and snorting at the last second. He set his sights on the gate, it was a slide lock with a chain, too difficult for most horses. Unfortunately, not too difficult for the colt.

Using his lips, he manipulated the chain. After several shakes, it came free. The end fell, clattering as it swung dramatically. He lipped the slider and persistently drew his chin, the bolt clattering it’s objections. Finally, it gave a satisfying click as it ran back off it’s tracks. Happy memories of pampering and adoring humans glimmered in his mind. He snorted with excitement. Pleased with himself, the colt eagerly nosed the gate open, it swung and banged loudly. He was unfazed by it, for he was free.