Ruckus

Ruckus was standing on a hill over looking toklat canyon his home and the herd he called his family. The andalusian stallion had just turned 7 years old and was most definietly in his prime as he stood watch over the herd like his instincts told him to do. He would only momentarily lower his head to graze.

Icefell, Lyss, & Enalyius

Some distance away from Ruckus, Icefell was pawing at the crusted snow that covered the ground, trying to find anything underneath that would be good to eat. Her belly was already very wide to accommodating the unborn colt that was growing within. Within a month or two, the small herd would have one more member in their ranks.

Lyss and her daughter Enalyius grazed near the dappled lead mare. Both felt much more confident and secure now that there was a dominant stallion to help look after them. So far, none of them had so much as spotted a wolf or other predator in their territory, and there had been no signs of humans.

Ruckus

Ruckus was a proud stallion and dominant. He could tell the mares were much more relaxed with him around and that made him quiet happy. He nickered to them and soon moved down the hill after making one more sweep with his eyes and he went right to icefell and begangrooming her.

Icefell, Lyss, & Enalyius

The mares nickered back, each of them holding growing affection for their lead stallion. Icefell stopped grazing for a few minutes to simply enjoy the grooming from him before she turned her velveteen muzzle and carefully nibbled here and there at his coat to remove debris. Lyss and Enaly idly moved in closer simply to be nearer to Ruckus while they grazed.

After a while, Icefell paused in the middle of grooming Ruckus' flank, "I can't tell you enough how thankful we are to have you here. We're luckier yet that this winter has been a mild one so far." Her muzzle went back to his dapple coat for a moment or two, and then she spoke again, "My only wish now is for a larger herd. I haven't seen many other horses around."

Ruckus

Ruckus enjoyed the closeness he felt with these three mares. His ears twitched as the two others moved closer and he nickered a welcome before returning to grooming icefell. His ear twitched.I am glad to be here. and yes the winter has been kindHe said calmly before resuming his grooming.I could go out and look for others. I won't go too far of courseHe said calmly.