Phase 2 || Loshenka Makeover 2025

Progress was slow, and Alex felt discouragement welling up every time he went to work with the perlino mare. Today, he was hoping their gentlest mare would prove a softening experience. Amalthia was sweet and shy, which meant she would prove not to be a threat. Sighing, Alex finished tacking the cream colored mare up, his heart sinking. He worried this wouldn't work. Shaking his head, he used a mounting block to swing up across the mare's bare back. She was fine. But as soon as Amalthia showed up, things were all a gamble. Shuddering, he prepared himself for it. Appearing nearby, the white mare and Gabriel seemed at ease. Alex was glad Gabriel agreed to help with this little shenanigan. He was afraid that he'd been too much of a drain on the other staff members while he tried to make the Perlino's progress noticeable. So far, it felt like she was going  backwards instead of foward. Tsking the mare into a walk, Alex strode towards the trail. Gabriel and Amalthia would follow after a moment's time. The mare plodded on, nonplussed. But as soon as the horse's hooves behind them fell on her ears, she snorted and pinned her own ears to her skull. Whinnying warningly, the perlino danced. 

"C'mon, Girl, Please," Alex begged. But she cared not for his pleas. As Amalthia drew near, the Perlino rocketed into a canter, trying to put space between herself and the white mare. Amalthia's rider put on gentle pressure, following at a distance it'd be hard to kick from. In case the Perlino mare struck out, Gabriel wanted to leave space for the blow to glance off, or not land at all. Shuddering, the mare acted like she was about to start crowhopping. Alex sat deep, wishing he'd brought stirrups. But she seemed to work better bareback than tacked all the way up, so he'd forgone them. 

"I'm pulling back," called Gabriel, slowing Amalthia. Alex nodded, as the mare he rode instantly calmed, without the other mare on her tail. Sighing, she shivered as if shaking off a threat, and slowed to an easy trot. So far...this was yet another bust.