Darkia

Darkia still tried to figure a way out, even though its been months she still tried.

Savannah was bigger now and her legs weren't as weak but it was clear she was probably stunted some how.

Coltrane was nearly at his full height.

Ethan & Others

Darkia had been given little freedom in her time with Ethan, and was currently being held with Savannah in a small, two-acre pasture surrounded by high fencing. Coltrane had been mostly left in the corral, where he was today when Ethan approached the pen.

The man had recovered from his wounds in the months that followed the trio's capture, and had used that downtime sending Dan in to try and break Coltrane. Today would be the first day that Ethan would step back into the pen, but for the moment he stood on the outside of the corral to observe the quickly growing yearling.

Darkia

Darkia hated being away from her son. But she stayed with Savannah

Coltrane had not caved for the most part. His nostrils flared as when ethan approached he reared.

Ethan & Others

Cold eyes watched the young stallion rear, without reflecting an ounce of fear for the power he knew those hooves held behind them. The man had slipped up once around this family, he would be sure not to do it again.

"Dan." He called out, while his sight remained looked on Coltrane. "Don't refill this one's feed."

The younger man stepped out from the barn where he'd been working and nodded back, "I hear ya'."

Ethan began to stalk around the outside of the corral now, to see if Coltrane would follow along or not.

Coltrane

He purposfully gaveEthan his hind end. Every time ethan would be on his side he'd turn so his hind was to him. One ear cocked and listening. A what you gonna do look.

Ethan & Others

Ethan had to admit, Coltrane had guts and determination. On one hand, it was exactly what Ethan wanted for his new steed - but on the other hand, he couldn't trust a horse that didn't listen to his commands. So when Coltrane offered him his hindquarters, Ethan was swift to pull the coiled whip from his belt and lash it at the yearling's flank...

Coltrane

His ears went back and he bucked out toward him and moved away but continued keeping his flank to him. His nostrils flared.

Ethan & Others

With the metal bars safely between him and Coltrane, Ethan continued to stalk like a predator around the corral, keeping the horse on his hooves and forcing him to burn energy that he would not be getting back through food. Whenever the young stallion was close enough, that whip would fly out, slicing for the equine's flesh. But Ethan wasn't out here just to be cruel - his watchful eyes were looking for opportunity. A handful of sugar cubes sat idle in his pocket, waiting for the chance that Coltrane might calm down, or run out of strength - which ever came first.

Coltrane

He would kick out when ever Ethan sent the whip. He now moved to the very center of the corral still keeping his flank to him

Ethan & Others

Each kick was met by the terrible crack of the whip, driven by hands with expert precision. Every time Coltrane lashed out, pain and a throbbing welt were his punishment. Eventually the young stallion grew wise to the man's tactics and moved to the center of the corral, and Ethan had to commend the horse's cleverness on this. It was also a step in the right direction; as soon as the horse stopped fighting him, Ethan retrieved a cube of sugar from his pocket and tossed it across the corral for Coltrane.

Coltrane

He kept his hind to him even when he threw the cube. He now pretend to ignore Ethan all together as he ate some left over hay and the cube.

Ethan & Others

As long as Coltrane offered no aggressive kicks, he was not offered the whip in return. AFter giving the horse a moment or two to cool down, Ethan came back around the front and climbed over the gate - he was not going to take his chance and open it. Landing firmly on the inside of the corral, he clicked his tongue and waited for Coltrane's reaction...

Coltrane

He heard and saw him he didn't move but his ears go back and he makes sure his hind end is facing Ethan

Ethan & Others

Having Coltrane stand still and not immediately charge him was a small victory, and a step in the right direction for using him as a potential mount in the future. But there were still a lot of hurdles to overcome, if Coltrane could ever truly be broken.

Ethan began to circle the interior of the corral, moving to be in front of the horse, but with a healthy distance between him. The metal fencing was kept as his back, and he was ready to hurtle over it if need be...

Coltrane

He snorted and would turn his flank to him every time he tried to be in front

Ethan & Others

As long as no hoof lashed out at him, Ethan's whip remained unused in his opposite hand. But he still pressed the stallion and kept moving to place himself in front of Coltrane. And he would continue this, forcing the horse to shuffle his hooves and spin if he wanted to kept up his defensive act.

Coltrane

After a few minutes of this his ears go back and his tail is going side to side. He keeps putting his rear to him

Ethan & Others

Ethan did not relent. He continued to move, methodically and consistently, denying the stallion any chance to rest or relax. He caught the signs of Colt's ears going back, and the animated swish of his tail. These were warning signs of an unhappy horse, but they did not stop Ethan.

Coltrane

His nostrils flared as he kept turning his butt to him. He stompped his hooves every now and then. Part of him did want to charge Ethan but he also refused to give him anything other then his rear.

Ethan & Others

Ethan watched a hoof stomp down with a heavy thud. He caught a brief profile of Coltrane's face before he could shuffle completely around, and saw the tell-tale signs of flared nostrils. The young stallion was growing more frustrated as his emotions built up, but Ethan couldn't quite tell if they were from fear or anger. Either way, he did not stop, giving Colt no moment to rest unless he wanted Ethan to stand in front of him. If Coltrane did not relent, Ethan would persist for another hour before he'd stop for the day.

Coltrane

His nostrils flared but he just kept turning

Ethan & Others

True to his goal, Ethan did not let Coltrane rest for a second. Around and around he went, shifting directions now and then, but never stopping as he sought to break the stallion's will. But Coltrane was determined, and continued to shift and move to keep his dangerous backend pointed at the man who had taken his freedom.

After an hour, Ethan finally called it quits. Before he hopped over the gate though, he pushed over the bucket of water and took it with him, leaving the stallion with nothing to drink, and nothing to eat except for a few stray pieces of hay that were now muddied and crushed in the ground, having been all but buried by Colt's perpetual spinning.

Ethan would give the horse a few days of this deprivation before he'd return for a second attempt.

Coltrane

He snorted at him but ignore him now