Phase 1( First Impressions): I'm Not Touching You

When Will and Percy arrived at the adoption event, they knew they were looking for something different than last year. Casade had been sweet and reserved on first impression, even though she had been obviously in pain. Her medical issues, while time consuming, had ultimarely been fixable. Now, they wanted to offer a home to a horse in need again, and this time they knew they were looking for a behavioral problem.

A loud scream rang out across the paddock, drawing their attention. An athletic buckskin roan mare narrowly missed a kick from a graying chestnut as she chased him around with a trampled plastic feed bucket. She appeared entirely unconcerned, more interested in whatever game she had come up with. The bucket, undoubtedly a stolen treasure, made an incredibly annoying crinkling noise as she waved it around. The stallion made his escape, whinnying in annoyance. The mare quickly lost interest and went cantering across the paddock with the bucket hanging from her mouth, no doubt looking for somebody else to bother. The other horses seemed to avoid her, and not just because of the noise. Had she been tormenting them all like this since she'd arrived at the rescue?

"She's a troublemaker, I bet." Will said to Percy. Despite her lively display, it was also apparent this horse was despertly bored and looking for an outlet. "I think I can guess why she's here."

"Want to meet her?" Percy asked. "Don't get attached too quickly, there's lots of other horses here."

"I know, I wish I could take them all home!" Will responded. Deep down, he knew that the energetic mare was the one that would be getting on their trailer at the end of the day.