Lookin' Good [Day 2]

Day 2

The golden colt ripped up the grass almost angrily. His sooty gray muzzle lipped at the rich tall chutes of blades before ripping them from their roots and happily munching on them.

I sat in a chair near by, a lead line from his halter, under his chin, to me, just taunt enough so he can't step on it and freak himself out.

Zazzy was looking better since yesterday. He was no longer dozing in the back of his stall all day and instead seemed to be eager to be let out. Though I didn't want to send him into the pastures, in case he took it upon himself to run himself into the ground or the other horses decided that it was perfect time for a rather brutal play fight.

So instead, I found a patch of grass, rarely grazed on, in the far back of my stables. It was quiet here. Most of the stalls in the back were empty- save for a sick horse or two that was put into quarantine for an extra night. It was the perfect place for Zazzy to just relax and enjoy a good grazing and the rich grass.

To my left I could see the track. A few horses were galloping around it. I wanted to be down there and assessing my horses but Zaz was a bit more important now. Besides, I trusted my jockeys. They knew what was good for their horses. (Though I still gave them their assignments that morning when the horses were eating their morning ration of grain.)

Zaz snorted into the grass and brought my attention back to him. He lifted his head and looked towards the track then his gentle gaze rested on me.

No, bud, I said gently. You won't go out there for a few more days. You gotta big race coming up, I told the colt, as if he could understand.

But as if he could understand, his gaze went back to the track, watching as a gray colt called Keegan galloped his around a turn. Soon though, Zaz's gaze was back on me. He walked towards me and I pulled up the line so he wouldn't step on it.

I expected him to stop at the next patch of grass but instead he kept walking. I was a tad bit confused when he came to a halt in front of me. Zaz? I questioned, poking him in the chest.

He reached down and let his head lean slightly against my chest, burying his head. I just chuckled softly and rubbed his neck. You tired of just standing around and grazing? I asked. The colt didn't seem to understand and did not respond. Instead he let his eyes droop as I continued to rub his neck and braiding his mane.

Just rest, I said in a hum. You got a big day coming up.