Phase 2|| why you should never (always) trust a cowboy

I’ve had names before. Sounds and titles the humans chose for me. They’re just a claim over me, proving their ownership, their control. I hated them, I hated their names and I hated them. The new human says my name ought to be “Plum-cake by the fireplace”, or just Plum for short. I suppose it’s a nicer name than most, not that I’ll listen to it. Why should I? I won’t let another useless human believe I’m their play-thing. A doll to be used, hurt what I thought was meant to be healed before tossing me out. Tossing me out, leaving me alone with nothing but the pain pain pain pain in my hooves. Maybe this new person would help me? They already seem gentler than the others- no, I’m not a naive colt anymore, I can’t, won’t, get my hopes up.

——————————————————————-⋆˚࿔————————————————————————

The new human is a self proclaimed “friendly neighbourhood cowboy”, he speaks strangely. While yes his words curl and click in a way the locals’ don’t, that isn’t what I mean. It was soft and gentle where others had boomed and demanded. The sound was almost intoxicating. I know better, why can’t I help myself from leaning into the muttered reassurance and sweet nothings?! I’ve had treacle before, as a treat well done from a kind child long, long ago. If I had to compare his voice to anything it would be that same treacle. Sweet and dark, tasting of victory and late summer sunshine. I don’t know what became of that kind child, maybe I can save some of this treacle for her too.

——————————————————————-⋆˚࿔————————————————————————

He’s….small. Of course I’ve met ponies before but this one can’t be taller than my stable door! A fuzzy little thing, round and stocky, tied up and lounging across the barn from me.

“Howdy Friend! You’re looking a little nervous over there, anything I can do you for?”

The dark gelding (coloured like treacle) smiled kindly at me, eyes subtly assessing me from behind his forelock.

“I’m fine. I’m not nervous.. I’m.. I’m just waiting,”

“Aah, waiting. Right. Well, what are you waiting for? It ain’t dinner time till the sun reaches that spot over there, at least at this time of year.” He nodded his head to the entrance of the barn.

“I know that.” Honestly, does he think I’m dumb? “Who are you anyway?”

My new neighbour’s head shot up as though shocked (was there a threat?! Where?!) and blinked at me, as his lower lip flopped loosely.

“Ah! My my, where’s my manners? I didn’t even introduce myself! All my friends call me Steggy, you’re most welcome to as well” here Steggy (and that can’t be his real name, surely) nodded as though in greeting, despite it being far too late for that. “And you’re plum, ain’t that right?”

“That’s what they’ve been calling me here, I don’t see why you should join them, I won’t be staying long anyway,” I gave a very dignified snort, just to push my point.

“Hmm, well Plum I got some advice for ya if you’re willing to stick around and hear it,”

The cheek! He plowed right over me, like I hadn’t even spoken. Willing to stay? I couldn’t leave even I wanted to (and I did want to, I can’t imagine this half-pint having anything useful to share) I’ve been on ‘box-rest’ for the past two weeks. Don’t let them fool you, box-rest is nothing but glorified prison.

“Thanking you kindly,” Steggy pulled me out of my indignant thoughts, treating my mulish silence as an  open invitation. “I know you’ve had a rough lot of it all, probably don’t take too kindly to the humans sticking their tiny noses where you don’t think they belong. But our cowboy’s different. I’m sure you’ve noticed, and I advice you to keep it mind,”

The cowboy? Special? The thought of it being a reality rather than my desperate irrational brain creating delusions out of thin air…. That others have noticed it too, trusted him and come out the other side better for it.

“Oh, and stop trying to hide your limp whenever the good doctor gets here. You’re a real impressive  actor, but it’s not doing you any good. Our human clearly knows something’s wrong, what with you being stuck in that stable so long…. Let him help, that’s all he wants to do, I swear it,”

Suddenly the all-too-knowing look in those eyes became all-too-much. How was I meant to stand anyone telling me to give in to my biggest fears while looking at me with so much, so much.. pity?!

“Leave me alone, I’m resting,”

I swung my hindquarters towards him (ow ow bad idea! Very bad idea! The pain pain pain flared up my legs) pointedly looking at the wall instead. I could only just hear the gelding let out a low sigh.

“That’s right Friend, you get all the rest you can. Just.. think on what I said alright?”

I most certainly would not!!

——————————————————————-⋆˚࿔————————————————————————

Now, I haven’t  been thinking about what that pony, teddy or whatever (Steggy, I know it’s Steggy) said. Of course not! And why should I? It’s not as though it would change anything (it would change everything). I can’t put myself in harms way just because a surprisingly understanding cob told me to?! (When has the cowboy ever threatened me? Ever made me feel anything but safe safe safe) Where are my principles? My dignity?! And for god’s sake, what’s with my own thoughts betraying me?? This is my head and that means my rules. I get to pick the thoughts. Any and all foolish, dangerous thoughts will be crossed out and shoved into the forbidden corner, never to be heard again!….. there we go, much better.

(Maybe I should let myself limp and sway the next time they try to trot me up, I don’t know much longer I can pretend the pain isn’t there. Maybe the terror of trusting will be worth it if I don’t have to suffer any longer)

! Shut up shut up shut up!!

——————————————————————-⋆˚࿔————————————————————————

This is decidedly, absolutely the last time I ever listen to Steggy’s advice. It’s terrible advice. Truly awful. How I could ever think it was anything else is beyond me! No, I can’t blame this on myself, it’s all his fault! The closer they are to the ground the closer they are to hell. No other explanation could come close to informing us all why I’m willingly stood in front of a human, waiting for him to pick up my hooves.

“You’re alright darling, aw poor sweetheart you’re shaking like a leaf in a hurricane, I won’t hurt you, I promise I’m here to help,”

The cowboy lied in his sunshine-treacle voice. Of course he’s lying, how could it be anything but a lie?!

“Ssshh shh, I gotcha,” yes, that’s the problem!

“You’re okay, I’m pretty sure you have a hoof abscess don’t you darling?” Well you tell me mr cowboy how am I supposed to know?! Wait no! Don’t tell me!! Do not check and tell me!!

“Alright honey, all I need to do is lift your leg up so I can put this on alright? It doesn’t hurt, you won’t feel a thing. It’s just here to help get all the nasty gunk out. How about that?”

My hoof sure does feel like it’s full of nasty gunk, a lot of nasty gunk. I drag my gaze over the cowboy as he carefully approaches me. Fine, just this once, I’ll trust him… if he messes it up I’ll just bite him.