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Description
For those not in the know, this is for the

(1) Mandatory: Reference
(2) Mandatory:Introductory Image
(3) Optional:Resistance
(4) Optional:To The Lorries
(5) Mandatory:Groundwork/First Steps <-----
(6) Optional:Learning To Lead
(7) Mandatory: Mishap/The Fall
(8) Optional: The Journey Home
(9) Optional: Quarantine
(10) Optional: Travel Buddies
(11) Optional: Grooming Session
(12) Optional: A Step Too Far
(13) Optional: First Saddle
(14) Mandatory: Backing
(15) Optional: Hacking
(16) Optional: Trust

Edit: We won!

-------------

Getting the halter on him had been somewhat challenging, thought Nikolai as he watched the stallion futilely try to rub it from his face on the side of the fence. All his efforts had rewarded him with was an even more messed up forelock than before and a large greenish brown smear that coated half of the cheekpiece. It would need cleaning once they got home, he thought, idly picturing the pile of muddy tack and ropes he'd be presenting to Abigail upon an even scruffier horse in a few weeks time.
The stallion still hadn’t let him get too close, instead preferring to watch him from afar with those ice-blue eyes that seemed to see right through to his very soul. Nikolai didn’t blame him for his aloofness; after all, only a week ago he’d been living out in the wilds, far removed from any human interference and yet now he was surrounded by alien sights and smells – the rope encompassing his head for a start. It must have been overwhelming for the poor beast and Nikolai respected that and gave him his space.

He was getting bolder, that much was true. On the first day at the quarantine yard he’d barely left one corner of the paddock, back to the fence as before in the muster pens, but now, a couple of days later, he drew closer to Nikolai’s side of the pen, still clearly wary of getting too far from his comfort zone, but it was a start at least. He wished he’d been the one to halter him for the first time but the stockmen wouldn’t have it.

It was a miracle enough that he and David had been allowed to observe the horses from the start, but they’d been told quite firmly that they were to be strictly hands off until the horse reached the distribution yards, or in their case, the quarantine zone.Now that they were here of course, and had at least a full week before they were expected to leave, they could begin the most important stage of the whole endeavour.

‘Come to see ol’ Toa again have you?’ one of the stockmen asked, a wry grin splitting his face as he approached the pair. ‘He’s barely moved from where you left him yesterday. Once we’d sent him through the chutes and got him wormed and haltered he buggered off to the other side again. You’ll have no luck getting him any closer now I reckon.’

‘Toa?’

The man laughed and nodded towards the roan in the neighbouring paddock. ‘Your stallion there! Me an’ a couple of the lads started calling him that last night after he bolted to the back when we went in to drop off more hay – not exactly the bravest of the bunch, is he? You’ll have your work cut out with this one I can tell you.’

Toa

Nikolai swirled the unfamiliar word around in his head, as though trying out a new and unusual flavour. He could tell the word was used on him ironically, but there was something about it that suited the stallion and if it truly did mean ‘brave’ then it was something for him to grow into, as Nikolai was certain he would.

Ignoring the chuckles of the stockmen behind him, he picked up a flake of hay from a nearby pallet and quietly let himself into the paddock. Toa’s head shot up at the sound and followed his every move, ears flicking round constantly. Nikolai casually walked into the centre of the pen and scattered the hay in a couple of vague piles before retreating back to the fence where he stood, waiting for the horse to make the next move. He stood perfectly still for what seemed like forever - though it was probably only a couple of minutes - before he finally took a cautious step forward. Still watching Nikolai with a wary eye, he lowered his head and lipped at the hay, ears constantly on the move, just in case. When he had eaten his fill he continued to walk around the pen, still keeping his distance from his watching human companion, yet, he seemed less afraid, and his eyes had lost their frantic terror from before. Nikolai fetched some more hay and repeated the offering, but this time Toa stepped towards the pile as Nikolai took his first step back. Now they were getting somewhere.

The second pile finished, he went back for a third, only to find that the horse had drawn even closer to him before he’d even got back into the pen. This time he held the hay out in front of him, arm hanging loose and unthreatening. Toa hesitated and hung back, eying him suspiciously for a moment before taking a tentative step towards the reward. Nikolai felt himself hold his breath as the stallion edged ever closer to him, head and neck stretched to their limit as he reached out for the hay. Another moment’s hesitation followed, but seconds later the hay was gone from his hand and soon from existence as it quickly disappeared into the mouth of the roan. Unlike before, he didn’t try to step away and stood where he was, chewing contentedly.

Now was the moment of truth. Niko didn’t want to push him too far, too soon, but this show of trust was encouraging and he wanted to see if Toa was ready for the next step. The horse stopped chewing and eyed the quietly offered hand with interest. There was no hay in it this time, although it did still smell like food, but it didn’t appear to pose any harm so he let it get nearer. Niko hovered his palm over the stallion’s nose, giving him plenty of time to gauge his reaction to the scent before he finally turned his hand and gently stroked the bridge of his nose with the back of his knuckles.Toa moved his head away instinctively, but only a little, and allowed him to continue the exploration of his face, gently adjusting the noseband of the halter and flicking a few stray wisps of hay from his forelock.

After a couple of minutes, Toa had had enough and turned back to his spot at the back of the pen. Nikolai could see now that he was an incredibly trusting horse at heart, but lacked confidence. Still, he’d achieved more than he’d hoped for in one day and he smiled to himself as he headed back to the main yard for some lunch. Toa definitely suited him, for as afraid as he’d been to begin with, he really was truly brave – he just needed to be given the opportunity to do so.

-------------------

Lines drawn traditionally, then coloured in photoshop. Pose reffed from one of my own photos.
I really love this picture and I've been waiting for months to post it up, XD

Description
For those not in the know, this is for the

(1) Mandatory: Reference
(2) Mandatory:Introductory Image
(3) Optional:Resistance
(4) Optional:To The Lorries
(5) Mandatory:Groundwork/First Steps <-----
(6) Optional:Learning To Lead
(7) Mandatory: Mishap/The Fall
(8) Optional: The Journey Home
(9) Optional: Quarantine
(10) Optional: Travel Buddies
(11) Optional: Grooming Session
(12) Optional: A Step Too Far
(13) Optional: First Saddle
(14) Mandatory: Backing
(15) Optional: Hacking
(16) Optional: Trust

Edit: We won!

-------------

Getting the halter on him had been somewhat challenging, thought Nikolai as he watched the stallion futilely try to rub it from his face on the side of the fence. All his efforts had rewarded him with was an even more messed up forelock than before and a large greenish brown smear that coated half of the cheekpiece. It would need cleaning once they got home, he thought, idly picturing the pile of muddy tack and ropes he'd be presenting to Abigail upon an even scruffier horse in a few weeks time.
The stallion still hadn’t let him get too close, instead preferring to watch him from afar with those ice-blue eyes that seemed to see right through to his very soul. Nikolai didn’t blame him for his aloofness; after all, only a week ago he’d been living out in the wilds, far removed from any human interference and yet now he was surrounded by alien sights and smells – the rope encompassing his head for a start. It must have been overwhelming for the poor beast and Nikolai respected that and gave him his space.

He was getting bolder, that much was true. On the first day at the quarantine yard he’d barely left one corner of the paddock, back to the fence as before in the muster pens, but now, a couple of days later, he drew closer to Nikolai’s side of the pen, still clearly wary of getting too far from his comfort zone, but it was a start at least. He wished he’d been the one to halter him for the first time but the stockmen wouldn’t have it.

It was a miracle enough that he and David had been allowed to observe the horses from the start, but they’d been told quite firmly that they were to be strictly hands off until the horse reached the distribution yards, or in their case, the quarantine zone.Now that they were here of course, and had at least a full week before they were expected to leave, they could begin the most important stage of the whole endeavour.

‘Come to see ol’ Toa again have you?’ one of the stockmen asked, a wry grin splitting his face as he approached the pair. ‘He’s barely moved from where you left him yesterday. Once we’d sent him through the chutes and got him wormed and haltered he buggered off to the other side again. You’ll have no luck getting him any closer now I reckon.’

‘Toa?’

The man laughed and nodded towards the roan in the neighbouring paddock. ‘Your stallion there! Me an’ a couple of the lads started calling him that last night after he bolted to the back when we went in to drop off more hay – not exactly the bravest of the bunch, is he? You’ll have your work cut out with this one I can tell you.’

Toa

Nikolai swirled the unfamiliar word around in his head, as though trying out a new and unusual flavour. He could tell the word was used on him ironically, but there was something about it that suited the stallion and if it truly did mean ‘brave’ then it was something for him to grow into, as Nikolai was certain he would.

Ignoring the chuckles of the stockmen behind him, he picked up a flake of hay from a nearby pallet and quietly let himself into the paddock. Toa’s head shot up at the sound and followed his every move, ears flicking round constantly. Nikolai casually walked into the centre of the pen and scattered the hay in a couple of vague piles before retreating back to the fence where he stood, waiting for the horse to make the next move. He stood perfectly still for what seemed like forever - though it was probably only a couple of minutes - before he finally took a cautious step forward. Still watching Nikolai with a wary eye, he lowered his head and lipped at the hay, ears constantly on the move, just in case. When he had eaten his fill he continued to walk around the pen, still keeping his distance from his watching human companion, yet, he seemed less afraid, and his eyes had lost their frantic terror from before. Nikolai fetched some more hay and repeated the offering, but this time Toa stepped towards the pile as Nikolai took his first step back. Now they were getting somewhere.

The second pile finished, he went back for a third, only to find that the horse had drawn even closer to him before he’d even got back into the pen. This time he held the hay out in front of him, arm hanging loose and unthreatening. Toa hesitated and hung back, eying him suspiciously for a moment before taking a tentative step towards the reward. Nikolai felt himself hold his breath as the stallion edged ever closer to him, head and neck stretched to their limit as he reached out for the hay. Another moment’s hesitation followed, but seconds later the hay was gone from his hand and soon from existence as it quickly disappeared into the mouth of the roan. Unlike before, he didn’t try to step away and stood where he was, chewing contentedly.

Now was the moment of truth. Niko didn’t want to push him too far, too soon, but this show of trust was encouraging and he wanted to see if Toa was ready for the next step. The horse stopped chewing and eyed the quietly offered hand with interest. There was no hay in it this time, although it did still smell like food, but it didn’t appear to pose any harm so he let it get nearer. Niko hovered his palm over the stallion’s nose, giving him plenty of time to gauge his reaction to the scent before he finally turned his hand and gently stroked the bridge of his nose with the back of his knuckles.Toa moved his head away instinctively, but only a little, and allowed him to continue the exploration of his face, gently adjusting the noseband of the halter and flicking a few stray wisps of hay from his forelock.

After a couple of minutes, Toa had had enough and turned back to his spot at the back of the pen. Nikolai could see now that he was an incredibly trusting horse at heart, but lacked confidence. Still, he’d achieved more than he’d hoped for in one day and he smiled to himself as he headed back to the main yard for some lunch. Toa definitely suited him, for as afraid as he’d been to begin with, he really was truly brave – he just needed to be given the opportunity to do so.

-------------------

Lines drawn traditionally, then coloured in photoshop. Pose reffed from one of my own photos.
I really love this picture and I've been waiting for months to post it up, XD