Blanton's to Forget Recovery Log 1

The rescued Loshenka Stallion has been under Mystic Mahogany care for a little under a week and a half. Severe sunburns cover his topline and his muzzle took the brunt of the damage. Thankfully, while wary, he now allows us to apply the aloe lotion treatment without too much fuss, I'm sure it must feel amazing to have relief from the constant sting. Considering my shoulder is still aching from bashing it into the corner of the wall the first time we tried putting on the aloe, I'm glad he trusts the lotion isn't magically changing to something nefarious between applications. We plan to maintain this regimen until the redness significantly improves.

To avoid him becoming sedentary we do turn him out in the rehabilitation paddock with supervision. Trees at the far end as well as a run-in means he'll have plenty of shade, but with his skin in such a delicate condition we only release him on days of low sun exposure and as an added measure have him in a uv protective sheet and mask to mitigate any further damage as well as protect the daily topical treatments. He's... not a fan of the sheets, and lets us know with no room for miscommunication that he would like them removed. Hopefully he'll be able to run uncloaked in the near future. He isn’t too malnourished, and seems fairly mobile and lively but definitely gets more rowdy in the evenings. He's got spunk: I hope this will translate to drive when he's ready for being under saddle. If he's ever ready, we'll take it slow.

His fur is already beginning to show signs of changing colour, and I can't wait to see wht he looks like under proper care. He's well-built and an amazing mover, practically floating over the grass.

We have yet to name him, hoping to do so when his true personality comes through on the other side of this. We've been told he is wary of other stallions due to a previous living situation, so we'll be extremely steady handed when finding him a pasture-mate. As far as regaining his trust of other stallions to avoid future stress, Corvus Columba will likely be our choice, his gentle nature and respect for space should avoid setting off this new stallion's hair-trigger defense mode. However, we also have our eye on another rescue stallion that make be even more perfect.

Currently for names I’m thinking something similar to or meaning ghost/spirit. Or maybe a name related to fighter for all his scars. I can only imagine what his previous life was like to come here like this… the bite scar on his neck is the most concerning, had it been more serious he might not have even made it here. I shudder at the thought.

-M

I step into the stall, getting the usual tail swish my direction.
"Easy, boy." I whisper.
Stomp
"Oi. You know I don't fall for that, come here, time for your daily torment."
A grumble and snort as a half blue, half brown eye glares down at me over the scar acorss his face. Then his head lowers, much smoother than the motion was days ago, and he takes slow steps my direction.
"There we go... Hi."
The offending bottle of aloe is pulled from my back pocket and while he noses at it, it isn't the snapping teeth he usually gave it. Slow and steady red angry burns are turned blue-green under the thick lotion treatment and the stallion's shoulders relax. He doesn't cant his back leg - No, that's be too obvious - but his weight shifts to a relaxed lean into the side closest to me.
I put the lotion away and bring my hand back to his side. His skin twitches and his ear flicks. A gentle pet has his back to idly watching out the window of his stall. I overtly avoid going near his scars and work my way up the side of his neck, meeting his cheek to have him turn his head my way. The moment seemed to pull at his skin as he quickly retreated, but made no discontented noise. No bellow to back-away, no grunted whicker, no snapping teeth. I take a few steps to get closer to his face so he wouldn't have to twist. He'll need his mobility maintained with stretches to get his flexibility back, but not now.
"Here, this better?"
A soft nose meets my palm and I offer a scritch, muzzle settling in my hand before I slip fingers under his chin. When the side of my hand nears the grey gash over the bridge of his nose he freezes, blowing hard. The movement stops and redirects away from the mark.
"Easy.."
He has such a sweet face, eyes soft and ears flicking this way and that in a passive, almost lazy, browsing manner. As I pull away to leave his stall he lifts his head and deliberately snorts at me.
"You're still a big tough guy, of course."
Another snort follows me outside as I shut the door and close the latch to head for the tack room. I roll my eyes, of course he couldn't admit he liked the attention. Though I don't think he realizes I can still hear him, the relieved groan bringing a smile to my face.

One that quickly was replaced by an exasperated sigh as the horrid sheets were equipped and the stallion was brought poutily into his paddock. Split-toned eyes once more glare almost through me with the edge of a well-honed knife.
"I'm sorry, boy, but we need you to heal... It won't be too long."
If you stop rubbing off most of your medicine into the sheet. I finish mentally, at least he isn't rubbing it all over the fence and getting dirt and dust in his burns.
"The sun doesn't hurt your skin through those, go get your exercise."
A long billowing tail nearly clips my legs as he turns to take his first steps of canter into the field.
SNORT