A Spring Morning [Kessa/Jason/Open]

[tingara]

A beautiful spring morning dawned cool and crisp. Golden shafts of sunlight shone and danced through the leaves of the gently swaying snowgums. The dew on the snowgrass glittered as the sun rose higher in the sky. The animals of the Cascades stirred in their hollows but a man had been awake for a lot longer than the sun or the bush creatures. Sam Breen sat against one of the hut’s walls whistling to himself while cleaning tack. He eyed the pens before him contentedly; happy to watch his horses graze in the morning sunlight.

Cas, his original bay stallion watched the man with eager eyes from a separate pen to the Brumby mare Nutsy and her filly, Blinky. The man laughed, it was almost like the stallion knew what was in store for him. That reminded Sam; he needed to have a word to Jason about his mare Marie. Cas would be a good sire, nice strong bloodlines and a talented stock horse definitely meant that he should be sire. So Sam thought anyway.

Once he’d finished the tack the man moved to leaning against the mare and filly’s pen. Almost at once the cremello yearling filly was snuffling at the man’s hands, her nostrils flaring as she searched for treats. Sam clicked his tongue and held out his hands for the palomino mare while he smiled at the filly. He remembered her birth like it had been yesterday, it was hard to believe it had happened a year ago now.

“Hey Blinky, Nutsy get over here,” Sam cooed, rubbing his broad hands over the filly’s face and neck. At the hut’s door and wolf-like dog opened one eye lazily and gave a half-hearted bark. It was too early for Lucas. The stockman gave a sharp whistle to summon the dog to his side. At first the young animal ignored him but decided it would be better to go to his master. Sam had had Lucas for only a short time and already he’d mastered basic commands and was learning how to work around horses and cattle.

[Tiggs]

Kessa, called ‘Gumnut’ or ‘Nusty’ by her human, had been surreptitiously eyeing up Cas in the other pen. The bay was in pristine health, with a glossy coat and full round sides. He was a lot older than most brumbies, she knew, but he definitely didn’t look it. Over winter, she too had filled out, her coat taking on a glossy sheen that no feral brumby could ever cultivate. Every day, Sam would come and rub things over her coat, delightfully scratchy things that took dust and dirt from her coat and made it gloriously neat. He even tugged on her mane and tail with something that removed all the gnarls and tangles. If she could see herself, she would realise she looked just as healthy as Cas. She had never felt so strong and full of life.

Her daughter was growing well also. She was a yearling now, well cared for by Sam and she seemed to have no fear of any of the man’s habits or company. The palomino mare looked on fondly at her creamy daughter, proud she had bore such a beautiful filly. With tame life agreeing well with her system, it would not be long before she was ready to bare another foal. She had always been a late conceiver, but it seemed with such lavish conditions, her cycle would bring her into heat even later than usual. Apparently this was not unusual. Foals born in man’s company did not need to worry about lack of food or shelter in winter. They could be born in any season. Kessa snuck another sideways glance at Cas, lamenting the presence of the fence between them.

Just then, Sam called her over and she loped to the face to receive the attention she now loved. To begin with, she had been frightened of the man but he had never done anything to hurt her, and he gave her the most delicious food. She stuck her head over the rails and reached for his pockets. The wooden bars foiled her attempts at raiding the man’s stash, and she lifted her lip hopefully, right foreleg lifting. She’s learnt that certain moves, like lifting up a leg, would earn her treats. Technically it was begging, and would otherwise be degrading, but the food that was given was always tasty.

The winter in the lowlands had acquainted her with many tame horses, and also the men’s dogs. She was still wary of the carnivorous beasts, and that grey dingo-dog was just a little too unnerving. She snorted a warning at it, hoping it might think better and go back to sitting on the porch.

[tingara]

Sam laughed at Gumnut’s affection. The soft feel of her velvety muzzle tickled his hands. Out of his jacket pocket he pulled a carrot, the treat he knew the palomino mare would beg for, or lift her leg like he’d taught her. As expected the mare did and grudgingly Sam obliged. He held out the sweet treat for her and she took it without hesitation, the familiar crunching sound following in an instant. It was time to check how Nutsy’s hooves and shoes were coming along.

No longer did he have to worry about his movements around the brumby mare, nor did he have to worry about what she would do. The two of them had become accustomed to each other. With a few reassuring clicks of the tongue he ran his hand down one of her legs and gently hoisted it up. Taking a pick out of his pocket he scraped out the dirt from under the mettle. The shoes weren’t her first pair so they had gone on a lot better than the first. Poor girl had been freaked right out of her mind by the smell of fire and hot metal.

Sam gave the mare a pat and another carrot before running his hands over her glossy body. He inspected her muscled shoulders and hindquarters before paying special attention to putting pressure on where the saddle would one day go. He looked at her teeth and inside her ears; all in all Gumnut was a healthy mare and would be up to carrying a foal. In the other pen Cas began to get more and more restless.

Back and forth the bay stallion paced, calling out to the palomino mare. Sam whistled sharply and Cas quietened, but only a little. Lucas looked at the horses incredulously then backed off from Kessa with a small whine. The dog was wary of the horses, their bites and kicks were painful and he most certainly didn’t want to be on the receiving end of either of those things. Back to the porch the dog went and back to sleep, his head on his oversized paws.

“Bloody wuss,” Sam chuckled, “what do you say about being introduced to Cas properly.” The man went to leave the pen, ruffling Blinky’s soft mane. He grabbed a rope halter and opened the stallion’s gate. Cas pricked his ears at the halter, that could mean work, a brumby hunt. The last one had been incredibly exciting. Instead he was led into the other pen with the mare. Until now Cas had been stuck on the opposite side of whatever fence they were behind.

Holding the bay stallion firmly, Sam let him sniff at the mare. If the two got along he would leave Cas in the same paddock for awhile and take Blinky out. The prospect of having more foals around was quite exciting, Sam must really talk to Jason about his mare Marie.

[Tiggs]

Kessa munched on the carrot happily, almost oblivious to the man fussing with her feet. She used to be quite particular about her feet, and hadn’t liked even just her legs being touched, but Sam’s patience and bribes had convinced her otherwise. She stood calmly while the human patted her and absently nibbled at her daughter’s pale mane. She felt better once the dog had left, and looked over to the restless stallion.

Sam was making noises, looking in his direction. She’d discovered that usually, he had to be looking at her and making noises if he wanted her attention. Nonetheless, she gave his shoulder a nudge on the way out and followed his progress to the stallion’s pen. She nickered softly, and walked up to the fence dividing the pens. The stallion however lost interest in her when Sam entered, carrying a head-puller.

The palomino was used to the head-pullers now. She realised she’d learnt a lot since she’d been captured about the men and their ways. No longer were they terrifying beasts. They were just other animals. Strange animals, but animals nonetheless. She could understand the bay’s instant attention on Sam. She too felt powerless to resist him. If Sam were a horse, he would be her leader. She watched mournfully as Sam took Cas away, but she was not sad for long. It seemed as though Sam was bringing Cas into her pen!

Trembling with excitement, she hustled her yearling daughter to the far side of the pen – knowing that she would unlikely listen but she tried – and approached the stallion herself. Sam was forgotten as she nickered a warm greeting and touched her muzzle to the bay’s. He was so tall up close! Nostrils flaring, she sniffed cautiously at his shoulder and gave it an experimental nip. She rubbed her head against his flank, enamoured by his sheer presence.

It was not as if they had never met before, they had exchanged many conversations over the fence, but until they touched, it was if they had been polite strangers. She nuzzled and nibbled, content to stand by the magnificent stallion all day. She forgot he was on a halter, forgot entirely about the man for once as she acquainted herself with the bay properly. Apparently the rule that the man was always more captivating was void if there was a stallion in close proximity.

[tingara]

Cas returned the favours Kessa was granting him. He too sniffed and nibbled as much as the man’s constricting grasp allowed. The stallion whickered to the palomino mare soft and deep. He was entranced at her presence. She had been beautiful even from behind the fence, now up close she was amazing. The bay drank in Kessa’s scent and began to pull against the halter in want of grooming her withers.

With a sharp eye Sam observed the language between the two horses. There were absolutely no signs of animosity between the two, an excellent sign. He could tell that Cas liked what he saw, he had from the day he’d met the palomino and Gumnut had responded well to the bay stallion. With a soft chuckle the man slipped the halter over Cas’ head and went to retrieve Blinky. Without looking back the man led out the cremello filly and placed her in the pen that Cas had been occupying. When he did look back at the two horses in the other pen Cas was happily snuffling away at Nutsy’s forelock.

The bay stallion happily ran his black muzzle over Kessa’s palomino hide and came to rest his head on her withers. Every now and then he would touched his muzzle to hers until the sounds of another man approaching the hut caught his attention.

[Tiggs]

Kessa was glad Sam had taken her creamy daughter away as then she could focus fully on Cas. She preened and stood proudly while he sniffed at her, impatient for the day she was sure would come soon. The mare couldn’t quite believe the most magnificent stallion was here with her. The wild stallions would never measure up to Cas. She nickered, complimenting him and shivering at his attentive touch. Despite being the more wary of the two, she did not notice the approach of the second man.

Jason urged Marie on, fighting with her constantly to get her to move where he wanted. Marie was in heat, and almost impossible to control. If it weren’t for her usual good behaviour, Jason might be more annoyed. As it was, he had struggled without protest to get her down to Cascade Hut to visit Sam. Marie began to act up even more when the pens came into sight, and Jason spotted the bay stallion who was already looking in his direction.

Finally giving up, Jason dismounted and led Marie by the reins. The man greeted Sam with a wave. “G’day, mate. I see your bloke already has his hands full with another woman. How is she?” As if on cue, Marie neighed loudly, jealously in the direction of the stallion. She had never been covered, and Jason usually kept her in her stall when she was like this. The change in routine had her agitated, and the presence of a stallion was more than distracting.

Jason held onto her stubbornly, glancing over to the other pen containing the yearling. “Creamy’s looking good.” he said conversationally, “Think your bloke will make another good one out of the golden girl?” He asked, motioning at the palomino flirting with the bay. He dragged Marie over to a post and tethered her firmly, giving her a pat. The stallion was a good-looking brute, and Sam had mentioned he would be ready for covering mares this season. Marie was getting a little old for the strenuous work of wrangling, but she had a long life ahead yet and Jason was convinced she would make a good broodmare.

[tingara]

Cas wasn’t the only one who heard Jason coming. Just as Sam whipped around to see who it was Lucas started to bark. Instantly the man had a smile on his face, he had been granted his chance to ask the other man about his fine black mare. Cas was most certainly one lucky stallion. He’d gone from having no mares to two in one day, well maybe two if Jason agreed to Sam’s proposal. He gave Blinky one final pat before heading out the side of the fence to greet Jason.

“Mate,” he strode over to the man atop his horse and shook his hand in friendly greeting. “Too right, Cas is happier than a pig in filth at the moment,” Sam grinned, looking over the bay stallion who had gone back to grooming the palomino mare. The man noticed Cas eyeing up Marie and vice versa, the mare must have been in heat. “Yeah Gumnut’s doing well, not much has happened to the girl after Blinky’s dramatic arrival last year,” he replied casually, leaning against Marie’s shoulder. “It sounds like your girl might like to join in,” Sam snorted, chuckling as the mare called out.

He looked from Nutsy to Blinky in the other pen, she was a damn fine filly and he was glad Jason thought so too. “She’s a beauty ain’t she? Her sire musta been a good looking bloke too. It’s that or she got all her good looks from her dam,” the man said happily, watching Blinky crop at the shoots of grass in the pen. Sam thought about what Jason had said for a moment, trying to picture the foal Cas and Gumnut would produce.

“Nah, doubt it,” he answered finally, “No more creamies’ll be coming from her with Cas’ help. I’d say another bay, chestnut, maybe even a buckskin if we’re lucky.” It was slightly disappointing that he woudn’t be able to get more silver horses out of Cas but he’d get over it. Just to have foals from his faithful horse would be enough for him. Sam looked from the bay stallion, to Marie and back, thinking.

“Mate you wouldn’t be interested in seeing what your mare here and Cas over there could produce?” the man asked Jason casually, almost in a curious way.

[Tiggs]

Jason petted Marie, trying to calm her down to no avail. Stroking his hand under her neatly trimmed black mane, he topped his hat at Sam’s offer. “I was thinking of the same thing. Marie’s a good girl, thinking of retiring her as brood stock. If you reckon he’s man enough for it, I reckon your Cas might make a good one out of her.” He tickled Marie’s nose, though the mare was more interested in the stallion.

“She’s more than ready now – unless it’s too short notice. Cas looks fairly busy already.” Jason said with a knowing smirk. He was more in the business of catching horses rather than breeding them, but he knew enough to see that Sam’s stallion was a fine beast, and with Marie’s natural wrangling talent, the foal could be valuable in the profession.

Kessa meanwhile turned her rump to the bay mare outside of the pen, ignoring her in favour of nibbling Cas’s shoulder. Marie didn’t take kindly to the younger mare’s insolence, and called boldly to the stallion in hopes of distracting him from the golden mare. She was almost straining at her constraining bridle to get to the stallion, but Jason had her tried fast – she was going nowhere without his permission. She called again to the stallion, uncharacteristically impatient. Not even Jason’s calming hands could comfort her.

[tingara]

Sam nodded at what Jason said about Marie. He was a little surprised to hear that Jason’s thoughts had been going along the same lines as his lately. The bay mare was a horse with a whole lot of talent; Sam had seen her in action on the Brumby Run last year. She and Cas would hopefully pass on said talent to whatever they produced. The foal wouldn’t be the most exciting colour, that Sam’s basic knowledge of genetics told him, but it would hopefully be something nice to look at and even better to ride.

The man was overjoyed to hear that Marie would be ready to be covered almost straight away. If anything Sam had always been impatient with his ideas. “Beauty, I’m sure Cas would be more than happy to have two girls hanging around him. If you want camp down here for a few days to let ‘em get acquainted with each other if ya know what I mean mate,” the man laughed, giving Marie a gentle pat on her shoulder.

Cas had heard Marie’s neighs even with Kessa distracting him. The bay stallion answered the bay mare eagerly. Giving Kessa a gentle nip he led her up to the fence to greet Marie. When the man on her back did not allow her to come over he began to grow impatient. Restlessly he paced back and forth behind the fence calling to the other stock horse. Cas had gone from no mares to two in one day, it truly was his lucky day.

With a resigned huff he settled himself back to grooming Kessa but still kept an eye on Marie hopefully.

[Tiggs]

Jason grinned and patted his hat down more firmly on his head. “Bonza; what will you charge for it? I’ve got a few brumbies left over from the run – but they’re not exactly top class.” Giving Marie a pat, he fussed with the girth and other leather straps to unsaddle her. He draped the bulky saddle over a rung on Sam’s balcony and unhooked a rope halter from one of the many attachments to the saddle.

Meanwhile, Kessa nipped Cas none-too-gently to get his attention back. Marie was almost glowering at her, and Kessa felt overly jealous. She had got to Cas first! She trailed after him as he went to the fence and stood impatiently while he paced back and forth. She was just a boring bay! What did Cas even see in her? Alright so she was on heat, but she would be soon as well. Kessa thought smugly to herself that Cas would be much more enamoured with her than he ever had been with Marie.

Marie replied to each of Cas’s called, ears strained forward and tail lifted high in excitement. She was not usually a social horse, as evidenced by her obvious dislike of Kessa, but she could not seem to resist the dark bay stallion stud. The restraining ropes were really frustrating, but there was hope as Jason was removing her saddle and that meant they were not going to be leaving soon.