Gilt Sparrows - a Fifty Foal Challenge
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Forum Discussion
There was a rumor going around the Equestrian Center that the wild horses were sheltering from the spring rains near the water treatment plant, but every time someone went to look, they weren't there. Katie waited until a rainy evening when the horses would probably stay put until morning, then headed out that way. She had the cabbie let her out well clear of the plant, and hiked up the road as quietly as possible. And there they were!
It was the same herd of four that had come to visit during the heavy snows. An older stallion with two mares and a younger stallion that would probably be driven out fairly soon. (Although where he would go around Appaloosa Plains was a question. Katie hoped he wouldn't get into trouble trying to steal mares.) She spent a long, damp evening watching them before slipping away into the night.
And, of course, Lucy Locket grew up while she was out.
She was a pretty young mare, very similar to her dam except for mane and tail color. She had also inherited the zebra antibodies, although Katie hoped she wouldn't need them. Everyone in town who owned horses was waiting for word of a new case of trypanosomiasis and hoping the flies had all been killed by the cold, snowy winter. Katie saddled up Cameo and headed for the EC to sell her and pick up the most recent news. But first a quick family photo.
Electrum made use of his free time by paying court to Blue Moon. This was just as well, since the first report of a sick horse was whispered around the EC. By the time the newspaper reported the confirmed case of trypanosomiasis, three more horses were known to be ill with presumptive cases. Several people began discussing breeding their mares to Electrum, and negotiating stud fees.
Lucy Locket proved a more stubborn trainee than her half-brother, dancing away from the saddle and holding her head too high for bridling. Finally Katie caught her and had a long, whispered talk. After that the young mare was much more compliant, which was good because several people were already asking after her.
With Cameo sold and the steady income from not only Electrum's competitions but Blue Moon's boarding fees (plus the occasional stud fee to an outside mare), Katie decided it was time for a break, and went to the summer festival. (Amazing how time flies!)
First a drenching game of water balloons,
then zipping around the skating rink to dry out. She wasn't certain what to make of the two locals bounding around the rink, though.
Autumn Leaves went to the fair too, but found no other kitties to play with. Katie got home to see that Electrum had opened a gate and was cantering up the street. She jogged after him and finally caught up at a vacant property that wasn't vacant any longer. A truly gorgeous mare was all saddled up at the gate, and the older of the wild stallions had somehow gotten into the field and was trying to get out.
She opened the gate to let the wild horse out and rode Electrum home. Then she returned to find the mare now unsaddled, and went up to the house to introduce herself and ask about the blue dun mare.
It was the same herd of four that had come to visit during the heavy snows. An older stallion with two mares and a younger stallion that would probably be driven out fairly soon. (Although where he would go around Appaloosa Plains was a question. Katie hoped he wouldn't get into trouble trying to steal mares.) She spent a long, damp evening watching them before slipping away into the night.
And, of course, Lucy Locket grew up while she was out.
She was a pretty young mare, very similar to her dam except for mane and tail color. She had also inherited the zebra antibodies, although Katie hoped she wouldn't need them. Everyone in town who owned horses was waiting for word of a new case of trypanosomiasis and hoping the flies had all been killed by the cold, snowy winter. Katie saddled up Cameo and headed for the EC to sell her and pick up the most recent news. But first a quick family photo.
Electrum made use of his free time by paying court to Blue Moon. This was just as well, since the first report of a sick horse was whispered around the EC. By the time the newspaper reported the confirmed case of trypanosomiasis, three more horses were known to be ill with presumptive cases. Several people began discussing breeding their mares to Electrum, and negotiating stud fees.
Lucy Locket proved a more stubborn trainee than her half-brother, dancing away from the saddle and holding her head too high for bridling. Finally Katie caught her and had a long, whispered talk. After that the young mare was much more compliant, which was good because several people were already asking after her.
With Cameo sold and the steady income from not only Electrum's competitions but Blue Moon's boarding fees (plus the occasional stud fee to an outside mare), Katie decided it was time for a break, and went to the summer festival. (Amazing how time flies!)
First a drenching game of water balloons,
then zipping around the skating rink to dry out. She wasn't certain what to make of the two locals bounding around the rink, though.
Autumn Leaves went to the fair too, but found no other kitties to play with. Katie got home to see that Electrum had opened a gate and was cantering up the street. She jogged after him and finally caught up at a vacant property that wasn't vacant any longer. A truly gorgeous mare was all saddled up at the gate, and the older of the wild stallions had somehow gotten into the field and was trying to get out.
She opened the gate to let the wild horse out and rode Electrum home. Then she returned to find the mare now unsaddled, and went up to the house to introduce herself and ask about the blue dun mare.
