Makeover phase one

Now Buck is the last horsey holdout.” Connor had declared jovially and pat his brother Scout on the back. The latter had just applied to enter that year's annual Loshenka makeover. 

—

“Dad, when are we there?” Maén asked without much haste nor tiredness. Scout's teenage daughter was sprawled in the passenger seat, a printed out picture and report in her hands. The paper was crinkled and full of fold lines, having seen much use in its short life.

“Soon.” Scout's answer was rather flat, but Maén knew he wasn't unfriendly. He simply was like that. A good dad, just on the quiet side. More importantly, he was her dad, the one who had stepped up for her.

“Couple more eps of your podcast” Came from the backseat. Connor, Scout’s horse savy brother, was along for the ride. Without his families support, Scout would have never considered entering a makeover in the first place. Or having a horse at all. But he had ultimately also felt himself wanting to own one of those animals, it was strange, most family members seemed to succumb to this desire at some point. 

He hadn't owned a pet in a long while. 

It had all started with Connor's wife and her horses. And in time, almost every family member had found themselves with at least one horsey companion. Scout tapped the steering wheel. It really was sort of strange, but not unwelcome. 

Even the Loshenka makeover wasn't a first in the family. Although Scout had picked a mare with far less issues than what Connor's makeover horse had. Then there also was the stallion their sister Dahlia had worked with, years back. In comparison, the dark appaloosa mare that Scout had been assigned was a perfectly well adjusted citizen. She had warm eyes and a dark muzzle and the odd habit of rolling under saddle.

The family had mused about a few things that could cause this. Tack, illness, injury, pain or the memory of it- but only seeing the mare and working with her would bring clarity. Scout was fairly certain two of his other brothers had a bet going about it, but he didn't bother.  

When the three arrived at the rescue, a number of trailers already sat in its lot. People ans horses were milling about, bustling with activity. Maén's eyes lit up. She hadn't seen that many humans nor a horse rescue before, it was all brand new. 

“Dad, can I go?” She so badly wanted to explore and skip the boring paperwork that inevitably awaited. Those were adult problems. 

“Yes. Well get to the office and find you.” Scout nodded, sparing his child the formalities.

Connor smiled. “Go see if ya can find the mare. But careful, might be surrounded by some less friendly horses.” 

“Okay uncle.” Maén agreed dutifully. She'd never seen a truly agressive horse, on account of the ones at home being happy and healthy. 

Maén went off to slink around in some shadows, lurk around a few corners and see what she could find. Connor and Scout had soon finished the formalities and made towards the paddocks. It had been easier going than expected, a few forms signed and they were on their way. Scout didn't mind all the technicalities, everything should be in order after all. But he could acknowledge that most others found them very boring.

The mare wasn't difficult to spot on account of her appaloosa bum. She was rather calmly resting nearby the fence and observed the bustle of people and horses. 

Maén was perched atop the highest fencebar and waited for her family. She had hesitated to dismiss her uncle's advice, yet to set foot inside the paddock, even though the mare looked perfectly pleasant and calm.

“Seen some interesting things?” Connor greeted. 

“Yeah. A guy got bitten I think. I didn't know horses could be like that.”

“They don't wanna be. Something makes them.” Connor comforted her.

“Theyll get better now.” Scout added. Whatever horse Maén saw, its future was set to be brighter, its landing soft. 

“She too.” He continued, gesturing at the appaloosa mare. She seemed fine, but didn't quite approach the trio. Instead, her nostrils flared and she sniffed the air, curious and cautious alike. 

“We smell weird to her.” Scout pulled a bag of treats from his pocket. He slipped through the fence and rustled the paper baggie. The mare's ears swiveled and when an outstretched hand offered an assortment of little delicacies, her apprehensions soon subsided. 

“I don't know what you like. Yet.” Scout told the mare quietly. On account of this, he had brought many treats, his sister in law had even added her handmade ones to the mix. For a good first impression, she'd said. She had been right.

The mare was happily munching, as nice and well behaved as the reports had mentioned. No inkling of distrust clouded her eyes, no fear stiffened her muscles. She didn't outright push for more either.

Perfectly pleasant. Scout wondered what more there was to her. 

He took a closer look at her now. Her face marking was thin and long, she had a sweet black muzzle. Some dark spots were dotted around her eyes. He offered her another handful of treats and looked back at Connor. 

Scout got a thumbs up from his brother, he was doing well.

It was odd. Scout had fed horses countless times before, but now he was a bit unsure. But he had also known them, some well, others a bit, but known them still. First impressions, huh.

Scout carefully reached out to pet the mare's cheek. He made sure she could see his hand coming and was rewarded by her accepting the touch. Although it didn't seem a favoured petting spot for her. Once it was more clear that she was fine with his presence, Scout walked to her side to have a better look at her body. She was in good condition. A healthy coat, well trimmed hooves too. 

But unexpectedly, there were some marks on her back. They gave him pause, a sense of unease. Scout couldn't quite identify them, he waved Connor over and motioned at the marks. A scuffle with another horse perhaps? The mare simply stood and observed the two men, watching whatever they were doing at her side with mild interest. She found the two strange, but didn't give her reason to be concerned. She held trust in people, even if they were so odd. And she wasn't one to just walk away if things became unpleasant.

Connor's face darkened when he saw the streaks on her back. “Those are whip marks, I think. Not seen any in person before, ‘m fairly sure though. The poor girl.”

“That wasn't on the report.” Maén had followed him and gotten a peek at the mares back. The printed out papers were messily folded and stuck in her back pocket. She didn't need to look at them to know, she had read through them over and over in the prior days.

Scout meanwhile carefully rustled through the mares coat. It was silky soft, the streaks and odd contrast to the good condition of the fur. It hadn't broken skin, but left bruises.

“I reckon thats how they tried to “fix” her rolling under saddle” Connor shook his head.

“It didnt work.” Maén's voice was flat, her eyes flickered strangely. Scout pulled her to his side and into a one armed hug. He rubbed her shoulder and gave her some treats to feed the mare.

Connor sighed, he glanced at the mare's warm eyes. They glistened happily as she took the treats from Maén. “It sure didnt. Lets grt her loaded up, hm? To a better future”

“Yes. Lets” Scout ran a hand over the mares neck and pointed Maén to grab a halter. The latter had recovered her bearings and did as he requested.

“Dad. Do you have a name for her?” Maén asked when she handed him the item. It was gray ish, issued by the rescue. Scout thought hed have to get a sage or dark green one, that colour would fit better.

“Mhm. Herbie. Shes Herbie now.”

“Like from those movies?” Maén suddenly and vividly remembered them watching those on rainy evenings when she was younger. She didn't quite like them, but her dad did, and they were fun enough, but only when she was huddled against him in a warm blanket and eating little treats. 

“Yes. Just like that.” Scout smiled softly and pulled the halter over the mares head.

Maybe it was because Maén was a little older now, but she suddenly felt the desire to watch those movies again. Looking back, they weren't so boring. “Can we put them on during movie night again.”

“Of course” was the answer from both men. 

—--

“Dad” Maén was back in her spot on the passenger seat. She watched the trailer's camera, though nothing much happened. Herbie stood quietly and was enjoying the haynet. 

“Yes?” Scout was driving once again, his brother dozing on the backseat, lost to the world. 

“Do you think she's scared? I mean. It's got to be strange. She's lost her home, everything.”

Questions like these, the horse expert was supposed to answer. But he was out cold and incredibly difficult to wake up from a dead sleep.

Scout was silent for a moment.

“Scared, maybe a little. But more confused I think. It'll be…. strange for a bit. Then better, when she settles. She didn't deserve that. We'll make it better again.”

Maén hummed. Her dad didn't have all the answers, and that was okay. What he did was soothe her. Relaxing more into the seat, she kept watching the screen, wondering just how much Herbie understood of the going ons.