Wasatch Pine Mustang Ranch

[Horse]

<sub>Ashkook eventually left Apollo's side, ears pricked towards Ratchet curiously. He whickered faintly in greeting to the canine, wondering what the strange creature was doing. He had seen the dogs around the ranch, but had never been approached by one of them. Now, the stallion's curiosity was getting the better of him as he stopped a few yards away, head low and ears pricked to the German Shepard as he investigated him, nostrils flaring at the distasteful smell of the dog. He couldn't decide if Ratchet was friend or foe, so he simply sat there, staring at Ratchet.

Nell took a few more steps back, frowning before she set the lead rope down on the ground. "Hey, Slate. It's alright. Huh? Yeah, you don't like that, but you'll get used to it." After she spoke up, she approached him cautiously, arms out as if it were some apology for maybe moving a little too fast with him. She fell silent, pale emerald eyes on the ground.</sub>

[Story]

<sub>[gotta go again, short.]

Slate let out a disgruntled snort and gave an odd rumble low in his chest that might've been a nicker but didn't quite sound like it. Slowly, the muscular, short stallion stepped closer. At barely 15 hands, the blocky mustang was smaller than most of the horses at the ranch. That didn't stop him from being one of the fiercest, though. And yet, this human had managed to break through that crusty exterior and earn his trust. He nibbled at her shirt, perhaps a bit roughly before giving up.

Ratchet thumped his tail once at the horse before standing up and walking a few feet away before once again sinking down. Callie launched herself at him out of nowhere and began to nip him, trying to urge him to his paws. He refused.</sub>

[Horse]

<sub>[Sorry, got distracted by my book. It's so good. Have you ever read the City of Bones series?]

Nell let out a small smile, feeling warmth well up in her chest for a moment went Slate nibbled on her shirt. She murmured something more, watching him. Very carefully, she offered her head, palm up, for the stallion to investigate. She wanted to try and at least touch his nose, if he would let her. She fell quiet, realizing that he seemed a bit more... Relaxed when she wasn't talking. She bit her lip, waiting patiently to see if it would take an interest.

Ashkook spooked at the sudden appearance of Callie, rearing up, he gave a loud snort, ears pinning before he pawed the ground. He'd decided then he didn't like these infernal dogs. He circled once, head lowed in a threat display before he trotted closer, teeth bared as he arched his neck.</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Tallulah smiled softly, as she flounced over to the wild horse pasture, Mali, her young pup bouncing after her. She leaned against the wooden fence post, her eyes scanning the field, she wondered who would choose her. Excitement gleamed in her eyes at the very thought of her own horse. She couldn't wait to have her own horse. It had been what she had wanted her whole life. Something silver glinted on her neck and she glanced down at it, it was a small heart locket. Her father had gave it to her before he deployed. He had also gotten her Mali so she wouldn't be as lonely.

Hope grinned as she looked around the stables. Finally! A horse had picked her. It was a young Arabian filly that had a beautiful fur coat that was white with gray dapples. The filly also had gorgeous blue eyes. A smile danced on her lips as she headed over to round pen that held her new filly.

Rebel sat behind Hope's heels. The pitbull puppy's tail wagging in excitement.</sub>

[Deleted]

<sub>Harley's ears perked, the one neatly folded on the tip and the other one that stuck up completely. He was eying the puppy by Hope, head tilted to the side as he was intrigued by the Pitbull. The Heeler cross let out a yip, tail waving in the air, a complete blur. He danced in a tight circle when suddenly his head snapped around, a rustle in a bushy area catching his attention. The golden dog bounded over, he was a mighty fast one and could outrun most anything; due to his Heeler blood, he was a tough one with speed and endurance and could withstand much more than your average house dog. He was built for herding, but was also a great family pet due to his Golden Retriever blood. Only being a year old, he was a handful and often couldn't stand still. Being indoors during the daytime was out of the question for him - even when it was storming. The dog adored rain, and the mud afterwards. Anne, on the other hand; not so much.

As he shortened the proximity between him and the large shrubs, a small, speedy figure bolted out. The long, unmistakeable ears of the bunny stuck up, and his eyes were wide with fright as Harley played chase, barking and growling as he zoned into catching the small creature.

--

Anne nodded along, glancing at the group of animals surrounding Ryan and herself. "I could help out, if you want. Take care of Rizzo and work her." She tilted her head thoughtfully as she looked over the black Andalusian. Her brown eyes looked over the horse's confirmation. The mare had a great disposition as well, despite her lack of interest in stallions and bit of obstinacy.

"Yeah, I figured. I miss Jared, too. No matter how happy I am when he comes back though, Ratchet'll probably beat it by double. He's a big fan of him." Anne smiled as she looked over at the German Shepherd. She just wanted him to be happier, not so... mellow. That wasn't him. At least, not since the surgery Anne had had done on him.</sub>

[Story]

<sub>Ryan let out a faint sigh. "That'd really help out. I'd like to start working Callie in agility. Might as well take advantage of her high energy and the fact that she sails over everything. She's using all the dogs here as agility sets anyhow." Ryan joked, watching as Callie, unaware of the fact that she'd scared Ashkook, continued to bounce around. She had Rhett and Harley to keep her busy. "I expect Ratchet bonded with Jared pretty tightly. He had a schedule. That's probably all that Ratchet knew. I don't know. Personality, maybe? It might be the only structure he knows." Rizzo pushed past Phantom, crowding Anne once more.

Callie was probably the oldest dog in the group, though even she was barely two, fully grown. It was only her fierce intelligence and her drive to please that had allowed her to grow so obedient. She was always eager to learn a new sign. Her blue eyes studied the hands of humans with curiosity constantly, waiting to see if they'd communicate with her. It was her touch with the world.

Slate shook himself out and nosed around in his water bucket for a moment before...knocking it over. He made a big deal about the fact that the water was spilled, kicking at the bucket and then backing up, forelock falling into his eyes.</sub>

[Horse]

Mar 29, 2013 16:06:26 GMT -7 Horse said:

<sub>[Sorry, got distracted by my book. It's so good. Have you ever read the City of Bones series?]

Nell let out a small smile, feeling warmth well up in her chest for a moment went Slate nibbled on her shirt. She murmured something more, watching him. Very carefully, she offered her head, palm up, for the stallion to investigate. She wanted to try and at least touch his nose, if he would let her. She fell quiet, realizing that he seemed a bit more... Relaxed when she wasn't talking. She bit her lip, waiting patiently to see if it would take an interest.

Ashkook spooked at the sudden appearance of Callie, rearing up, he gave a loud snort, ears pinning before he pawed the ground. He'd decided then he didn't like these infernal dogs. He circled once, head lowed in a threat display before he trotted closer, teeth bared as he arched his neck.</sub>

[Deleted]

_{"I bet it would. And that sounds like fun. Harley's only good at pestering everything and making chaos. In fact..." Anne furrowed her brows as she looked around for her dog, subconsciously rubbing Rizzo's neck as she did so. When she spotted him, the scene was quite amusing; he was trying to slip under the fence, whining and scratching at the ground and not realizing he probably could fit in the space already made. The bunny he'd been chasing had bounded under the fence line and was already far hidden in the undergrowth of the pasture, in some bushes and shrubs far off where he was concealed and could escape farther from the beast, likely scared out of his wits. "He probably found a snack or something. He's not too good at catching things, he's figuring it out though." She chuckled and called to the mutt right as he slipped under, ears perked as his attention was focused solely on finding the rabbit. When a loud whistle filled his ears, he barked and spun around to meet Anne's twinkling eyes. He quickly forgot the animal he was chasing and jogged over, shaking out his fur and circling Rizzo. "Harley!" She called, and he looked up again, tipping his head to the side quizzically.}

[Story]

<sub>Rizzo let out a soft whicker as she nosed Anne's other hand, seeking further attention. If she could speak, she'd likely be saying rather dramatically," You don't love me enough! I'm not worthyyyyy! Please forgive me for whatever has made you feel the need to ignore me!" She just wanted attention and this was finally enough for her satisfaction.

Callie sprang away from Ashkook and Rhett, racing toward the fence that Harley had gotten stuck under for a moment. She sprang through the fence with ease and shot after the rabbit that Harley had abandoned. Ryan shook his head. Callie wouldn't stray too far and he knew calling her would do absolutely no good. Unless she looked at him, she'd never know she was needed.

Slate had stopped focusing on the spilled water and now empty bucket, turning to look at the hand warily. He ignored the way it was offered for investigation, approaching to lip at her mane hair. He cast a look at the hand once more, silently daring her to do something as he began to nibble at the locks available. Fascinating. It tasted horrible.</sub>

[Deleted]

_{Anne giggled and began to pet Rizzo with both hands, scratching and cooing to her. "She's not owned, correct?" She quizzed, glancing at Ryan. An idea came to mind as she glanced back at the mare, then averted her attention to Callie as the Border Collie bolted off. The girl shook her head, Harley beginning to jog in their direction with his ears perked. He barked and dipped his head, watching the black and white blur closely and trying to see what she was up to. His brown eyes darted around for the rabbit he'd been chasing, or maybe it was a rat or bird. Either way, he followed closely behind, wiggling under the fence before making up for the time lost as he quickly tracked down the dog and kept close to her, excited. Until he found what she was looking for and pursued it himself, he relied on her.}