Trials and Tribulations | Phase 2

Okay, maybe Aslan was a bit in over his head with this mare. It didn't help that he wasn't raised around horses and learned much slower than his partner Hawley, though it didn't keep him from trying and insisting that he wanted to see the makeover through and help his assigned horse through her issues.

The day started with a failure; the mare took one look at the halter and lead rope in Aslan's hand and fled, trotting away just out of reach with her flaxen tail held high, as if to taunt him about his lack of education. When Aslan did eventually get the halter on his horse with the gracious assistance of Hawley, she would paw at the ground relentlessly while swishing her tail, shuffling around and swinging her head. She wasn't happy being tied for something just as simple as a brush down and hoofpick, and Aslan felt the frustration they both felt at their respective yet polar situation.

Eventually, under the stress and pressure of trying his best to help his mare, he let her back into the paddock to graze to be with the companions she had found comfort in since arriving. Aslan was tired, physically and emotionally. He slumped against a nearby tree and slid down until he made contact with the grass, and hung his head. 'Maybe I'm doing all of this completely wrong,' he thought, desperately racking his brain trying to come up with something that would work in all of the things Hawley taught him about horses.
Amidst all of his frantic overthinking, however, Aslan didn't notice the mare wandering up to him in quiet curiosity. She stopped at his feet and blew a long, slow breath over his boots. Aslan lifted his head in surprise, questioning why she would want to go near him after their struggles during the day. He didn't dare move in case he pushed her away, and the two stayed in a brief silence.
Maybe the mare just needed a friend rather than just a rider. It was then that it clicked for Aslan, and he now had a plan.