Grass is Always Greener

[misszeke]

Collins dove to the side as the mare reared then shot out past him. That was it...plan B was going into effect. He pushed himself up out of the dirt and to his feet. Dust flew as he brushed himself off a bit and while he walked briskly from the pasture. In his frustration he popped himself up and over the fence this time instead of taking the time to climb through it.

There was a creaking sound in the wood of the door to the tack room as he swung it open and marched inside. He went to his rack of ropes and pulled out a 20 foot rope his father had used to grab unruly animals. A pair of worn gloves were also grabbed before Collins made his way back outside. With some of his frustration done from his stomping about, Collins decided to lean against the fence to see if the mare would come closer to him. Of course even after some time she didn't. He calmly walked towards her, this time remembering to keep his distance.

She didn't take her eyes off of him which made making a good loop in the rope and swinging it harder. With a quick snap of hi wrist Collins managed to get the rope around the mare's neck. She gave a few attempts to rear and began trotting around, attempting to get away. Collins kept a steady hold on the rope and eventually got her into a relatively nice circle in the middle of the pasture. He let her trot around at will until she again realized he meant no harm.

When she calmed down even more Collins tugged on the rope asking her to stop. He pulled her neck so the circle got smaller and smaller until finally she came to a walk and eventually a stop. She was far from happy however. He stood like this for a mintue, speaking to her in an easy tone. When her muscules relaxed a little more he put slack in the rope and turned to walk away hoping maybe she'd take a step after him.

[Sojourner]

There was no doubting that Whisper could sense this man's pent up frustration as he picked himself up and left the pasture. She retreated back over closer to where Cherokee was, thinking that perhaps she'd finally driven away the pestering rancher. Unfortunately matters did not appear to be quite that fortunate. Soon enough he was back in her pasture and coming towards her at least he appeared somewhat relaxed again, approaching her carefully. Still, she didn't react well when that strange thing came spinning right around her neck and pulled snug. She reared away from it at first and bolted, instinctively going against the pressure around her neck rather than to give in to it. The first few go arounds weren't very pretty or neat. She wobbled this way and that, shaking her head around trying to get that thing off of her neck. It was several minutes before she started to even out a little, watching him closely in the corner of her eye.

She continued to trot rapidly even as she was drawn in gradually closer and closer, breaking to a walk only at the last minute. She didn't really respond well when asked to stop. After all, it wasn't very clear to her that that was what was expected from her. Everything was completely new and unfamiliar. Whisper eventually petered out to a stop. It didn't take long before those ears and eyes were focused on him inquisitively again. Collins turned and started to walk off. The mustang was baffled, finally starting to realize that maybe this human wasn't a predator after all. Maybe he was the herd leader, and that was why Cherokee was so willing to follow his leadership. Whisper needed structure, she needed a leader, being young enough that she still didn't quite know what to do with herself.

She merely reached out her head towards his back at first when he stepped off... but after what might seem like a tense and long lasting moment, Whisper moved off to trail after Collins just a little ways. She was still a good ten feet off, but she had finally started to move in towards him just a bit.

[misszeke]

Collins was even happier with the mare now. She was much easier to convince of his intensions then some of the other mustangs he'd seen. There was a good future for this horse, he knew it.

He slowed his pace ever so slightly to futher encourage the mare to follow. The slack in the rope hung just barely grazing the ground, she was coming all on her own. He kept walking and made it all the way over to the little bit of hay she didn't eat last night. Luckily Cherokee was now paying attention and stood near the fence. Collins began talking allowed to whatever horse would listen, just random mumblings. He mentioned the beautiful sun shining, the fact his cattle needed the attention not these two.

When he reached the fence he dropped the rope, making sure to step on the end in the event he wanted to grab it. His back was still to the young mare. Cherokee was again reaping the benefits of letting Collins pet her softly on the nose as he whispered more sweet sounding words to her. Sensing the mustang inching closer Collins continued his affection without paying her any mind. He knew she would let him know when he was ready.

[Sojourner]

Bit by bit, step by step, Whisper followed the human back across the pasture to the fenceline across from Cherokee. She stopped short any time that she sensed anything. A change in his pace, a shift in his body. She refused to move again until she was sure that it was safe. Soon enough they were standing at the fence, the mustang still watching closely from a distance.

Sure enough, when enough time went by and Collins didn't give her so much as a sideways glance, Whisper became a little more curious. She came forward ever so slowly, leaning out with her neck stretched out towards his back. This was a very different situation compared to earlier when she had just about been cornered. That was when she had felt threatened and vulnerable... but now, the whole pasture was open behind her. She could bolt away again at the slightest inclination.

The young mare was still straining forward, unwilling to get too close, but still quite inquisitive. Her ears continued to move back and forth at the sound of the man's voice, listening carefully. She finally inched just close enough to brush the back of his shoulder with her nose. This alone seemed enough to give Whisper another start. She literally appeared to have spooked herself, springing back and dragging the rope along with her. If Collins didn't grab it quick, she might well end up on the opposite end of the pasture.