2022 Makeover - Phase 3: Key Objective + Story - 2632

25th of September

After their sleepover on the moor, the horses were much more in tune with each other. The colt walked calmly next to Donut and was comfortable with her being led beside him. Something that two days before made him anxious. However, it seemed when they came back to the farm, the Colt started to get a little uncomfortable again, being flighty and moody towards Donut. 

Bellamy decided to turn him out by himself to defuse. This would also give Bellamy chance to have a much needed shower and change of clothes. The Colt watched people most of the day but wasn't stalking as he was before. He grazed quietly and didn't attempt to escape, which was a huge improvement for him. He occasionally played with his toys but relied on them much less. Bellamy came to check on him at lunchtime, after keeping an eye on him from afar. He wanted to see how the colt reacted to him, had he gone back to his problematic ways completely? Or was he just overwhelmed? 

The Colt seemed happy to see Bellamy, he walked up and greeted him. But to Bellamy's glee, he wasn't obsessive or overly pushy with him. He also didn't try to raid his pockets either. His plan seemed to be working. Bellamy gave him a rewarding scratch but didn't overdo it, he then retreated to see the colt's reaction to his distancing. The colt lingered at the fence a little but quickly went back to grazing. Bellamy left him be, giving time to let everything marinate. 

That evening, Bellamy decided he would stall the colt but would attempt to briefly turn him out with Donut the next day, if he seemed receptive. When he went to catch the colt however he was shocked by what he saw. Ecstatic, he hid as not to disturb them. Donut and the colt were grazing quietly next to each other, on either side of the fence. They were not conversing, or showing any affection. But out of all the room in their individual paddocks, they'd chosen themselves to be in each other's company. Bellamy was so happy. He watched as they continued to graze and slowly moved around their paddocks again. 

As things had progressed, he caught the colt and brought him to his stall. The colt made little fuss being caught or led. Still it seemed Bellamy needed to work on his tying and overall manners. The colt danced a bit while being groomed and Bellamy often had to manoeuvre him. 

Satisfied with the session and day in general, Bellamy fed and bedded the colt. He also noticed for the first time ever the colt turned away from him in the stall. He never thought he'd take note of a horse's rump before, but he was happy to. 

The next morning he let both the colt and Donut out into Donut's field. He watched as the Colt didn't panic and run when she entered. He didn't run to her but he also didn't run from her. Steadily he was taking steps towards being a normal horse.

Bellamy waited till they'd settled before leaving the two alone, deciding to check on them in half an hour. 

Bellamy returned to see the horses mingled, grooming happily. Donut had warmed the colt and was showing him how enjoyable grooming and just being with horses could be. Bellamy felt confident, he knew in that moment the colt would be just fine. He still needed work, but he was improving and was now stable enough to be with at least one horse. He would be just fine.