2022 Makeover - Phase 2: Key Objective + Story - 2632

23rd of September

After his escape, Bellamy made sure to keep the colt’s doors double-bolted. He tried to keep him as entertained as possible without feeding into his human issues, this meant lots of hanging toys and food enrichment. He found that the colt accepted being stalled surprisingly well, provided the door was bolted correctly. Although he just seemed to be biding his time, waiting for a person he could beg for attention. The Colt also hadn't successfully broken out after his last escape, which was progress. 

He'd tried to introduce the Colt to his mare, Donut, but it only resulted in a stiff clacking colt and a concerned Donut.
Donut was his go-to choice for problem horses, she was calm, gentle and went with the flow but wouldn't have any nonsense, correcting any problems. She would be perfect for the colt. But unfortunately, he wouldn't go anywhere near her by his own choice. 

After several days of trying to keep the Colt entertained whilst slowly bringing Donut closer and closer, Bellamy began to realise it wasn't working. The Colt was still incredibly uncomfortable around other horses and was still equally obsessed with people. He was trying so hard to keep him contained, and entertained while exposing him to other horses, also while limiting his interactions with people. The juggling was too much. A better plan slowly formed.

He packed his rucksack, collected the lead ropes and halter. Caught Donut and the Colt and just walked. To begin with the Colt was incredibly stiff and tried to distance himself from Donut, who being her reliable easy self just walked calm and consistent.

Ultimately, the Colt turned his attention away from her and back to Bellamy, nuzzling and nipping at him. Donut flicked her ears or tail at him peroidicly to warn him but did little more. They walked out over the fields, into the hills and onto the moorland. Here Bellamy let Donut loose, knowing she’d follow and regulate her own space with the colt. They stopped at a brook and the horses tolerated each other for a drink, slowly it seemed to be working.

It was late afternoon when they arrived at the spot Bellamy had in mind. He loose-lined the colt and offer the horses graze whilst he pitched his tent. Bellamy then sat in the grass and let the horses interact as he read a book. The colt pestered him a little but soon left to graze.
In a moment of faith, Bellamy set both horses loose. They were in a very, very large but roughly enclosed field. There wasn't anywhere the horses escape and they had food, water and trees for shelter. They had plenty of space to get away from each other and had total access to a human. Once the colt clicked Bellamy wasn't going anywhere or doing anything, he left him alone. Bellamy had worked out how to elevate that pressure by making himself a constant yet underwhelming presence, whilst also giving the colt the confidence to be comfortable around other horses.
Donut was openly friendly to him but didn't push him and eventually, he went to her. They all ate together, content on their little camping trip.