See her move like a toreador [R- mares only}

[rewind]

Dawn broke with pastel skies and the laugh of the kookaburras in the gum trees. A small cool wind dusted the surface of the snow which had fallen during the night, making it look immaculate and perfect. The stream had frozen over during the night but with a sound like a thunderclap, it was broken by a heavy, sharp hoof. A few more solid stamps cleared the ice away so that the buckskin mare could lower her head to drink. Halfway through her drink she lifted her head, holding water in her mouth to warm it and gazed about, searching for movement. Warily, she allowed the water to slide down her throat and continued to drink until she felt satisfied. The water was a cool shock to her system so she set off at a brisk walk, wading through the snow like she might wade through ocean waves, searching for a good place for a morning graze.

As the new lead mare of the herd, Rewind felt quite comfortable and secure with where she was in life. Her herd stallion, Balaroo, was no doubt patrolling, searching the pale stallion he'd been looking for when he'd found her, or perhaps recruiting more mares. Stallion's business was not of a great deal of interest to mares, who lived a protected life whether it was by their herd stallion or another who had challenged and won. She was fairly attached to Balaroo, though; he had cunning and strength, and for him she hoped that he might find that pale stallion, that giant, moonlit stud, and defeat him. Balaroo could be the next king of the Cascade Brumbies and through him she would be the queen.

At least, she allowed these thoughts to entertain her mind frivolously for a few moments until she came to a place sheltered by the touch, white-skinned trees where the snow was thin. Using one of her hooves she scuffled the snow away from the ground, allowing the grass which was tough and yellow to poke up through. Satisfied with her find, Rewind grazed, ears constantly moving and eyes watching for any sign of movement within view, or the sound and smell of either a fellow equine or something more dangerous.

[Tiggs]

Another mare was out in the soft light of dawn, her broad hooves crunching in the snow as she weaved between snowgums. Her pelt was a soft dappling of white on brown, her legs, mane and tail still primarily black. She was coming into her prime, fully grown and of a build that told tales of her heritage to any who knew their history. Her neck was broad and curved gently. Her face was convex, and her mane and tail were reaching a length that was more than average for a feral horse. And if that was not enough, year by year her pelt was taking to be more and more the stark colour of snow. In a few more years she would be the alabaster white of her late father, Nevada.

She was Mayrah, named for the spring wind, and she trotted with purpose. Her youth had been adventurous and exciting but she was coming to the realisation it had been ultimately futile. What had she to show for it? She had travelled the High Country, met many brumbies, even spent some time flirting with the King of the High Country but here she was, alone and friendless. She had come to the decision that she could no longer spend her days running about and making temporary acquaintances. Else she would forever roam alone.

Chuffing, her breath steaming from her black-ringed nostrils in the cold air, she made it to the creek and looked up and down its path. At least her adventuring had taught her a great deal about her terrain. Even though the snow had covered it, she knew where the stream lay, and she was able to walk up to it and feel the shattering of ice under her hooves as she stepped down it’s shallow bank.

Before she lowered her head to drink though, she caught a scent on the breeze. He tossed up her head, dark mane falling about her alert face. Ears pricked and nostrils flaring, she spotted a golden mare further up the stream. Seeing no others, she called out with a deep nicker. Her expression earnest, she waited for either an invitation to come, or a direction to go. She did hope it would be the former.