Seriously, Lev. Pull yourself together.
After taking care of some paperwork, I make my way to the quarantine paddock, where Charlie joins me. We check on Domino in his stall, and he’s less than thrilled to see us. I repeat what I’d done yesterday—going to the other side of the paddock and sitting down with treats.
The sugar cubes may have been the hero of the hour yesterday, but they are doing jack-all today. Not only does he ignore me in favor of remaining in his stall, but he also nips Charlie in the shoulder and would have kicked him square in the thigh had I not jumped up and pulled him away right in time.
We take a break, and then I coax him out of his stall with a few treats. When I get him into the paddock, however, he nips at my overalls, neighing when he manages to unbuckle the bib, then takes off for the opposite side.
“So…he’ll work with me, but only sorta, and only when I’m bribing him with treats,” I crack, which Charlie only finds moderately amusing.
Shaking his head, he puts his hands on his hips, then steps to the side when Domino charges him before angling toward the other side of the paddock again.
“I don’t think I’ve seen any of us struggle with a horse like this,” I observe.
Charlie shakes his head. “Only other horse I’ve heard of with this same issue was Luke’s.”
“Sprite?” I ask, remembering the pretty white horse with the sweet disposition.
He nods. “She threw Luke in a bucking competition, then kicked out and broke his hip. Her owners sold her for scraps, so Sparrow went in and got her. She was too dangerous to examine, and only Luke was able to get close enough to put together that she was pregnant. Once they started using pregnancy protocols and put her in the right environment, she got way better. Sparrow had to give her a wide berth for a long time, and I have a feeling Domino will be the same.”
“But nothing’s physically wrong with him,” I point out, frustrated. “He did eventually let Lynn examine him, right?”
“Yep. She said he’s perfectly healthy. Disdainful, but healthy.”
We share a laugh because,oof. The accuracy. I still don’t think anything’s wrong with him though.
“I wonder if Domino would do well with other horses?” Charlie asks, watching as Domino proudly trots around the fenced-in space.
“He did fine with me yesterday.”
Charlie toes the dirt, brows wrinkled in concentration. After a moment, he holds up a finger. “You started on the ground.”
“Yeah, same as today. Made myself seem small at first. He was okay when I stood up yesterday. Today, not so much.”
“Domino’s smart. You’re not fooling him by sitting down anymore,” Charlie reasons, shaking his head. “Lynn’s about average height for a woman. Several inches shorter than either of us.”
I tap my chin. “I don’t remember—how was Domino around Luke when he was here?”
Charlie thinks about it for a moment. “He was…I dunno, mostly avoiding him like he was the rest of us. Sparrow mentioned that Luke’s charms hadn’t worked on him, but I don’t think Domino was aggressive toward him.”
“Hm. Luke’s about Lynn’s height, but if Domino didn’t have a good reaction to him, maybe it’s because he hates men?”
“Maybe.” Charlie brings the tips of his fingers together. “Luke also didn’t have treats with him yesterday. Could be another variable.”
“You think the Rodeo King would be interested in trying again? It’s risky, but it might be worth a shot.”
“I’m sure he would if only to lord it over the tall folks, but he and Sparrow are out at Rodeo Austin for the Queer Family Days or something like that.”
“Shit. That’s right.”
Charlie and I mull it over for a second, and I snap my fingers. The answer is obvious.
“Ant.”
Charlie pulls on the leather necklace he always wears and nods along with me. “You know…he’s come so far with the horses, this might be a really good way for him to, I dunno. Level up?”
I’m already pulling out my phone.
Me: Hey, you have a minute? Wanna help me and Charlie out with Domino?
