“Exactly. And Izzy is a gelding, a boy.” I grinned at Ben who ducked his head. “The important thing with horses is how you react to them. On the most basic level, they’re prey animals. That’s why they can be so easily spooked. If you want to learn more about them, you should chat with Rey. He’s currently stuffing his brain with anything horses.”
Ben nodded slowly. “I might. If I’ll be here for a bit, then I think I should know more.” He slowed suddenly.
I noticed the dogs gathering closer to us.
“These are the Golden Girls,” I said, pointing and naming each. “And he’s Bucky.”
Ben let out a shuddery breath. “They’re intimidating.”
“For a good reason,” Theo called back to us while he closed the round pen cage.
“What do you mean?” I leaned against the fence.
“We’ve had people coming by with less than good intentions before.”
This was the first I’d heard about this. “What? Really?”
“Yeah. But luckily pit bulls seem to be a natural deterrent to most humans.”
Bucky plopped down at my feet, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as the girls scattered to various shady spots. “You’re a terrifying beast, aren’t you?” I asked Bucky, who wagged his tail hard enough for dust to billow around his back end.
Even Ben smiled at that.
We turned our attention to the pen where Theo started to work with Izzy. I explained everything he was doing to Ben, who seemed fascinated.
“Is there a reason why this is a round space?” he asked, carefully observing the action unfolding in front of us.
“Yeah, it’s so the horse doesn’t have a corner to hide in, more or less. It gives them nowhere to go other than keep moving unless the trainer lets them stop.”
Theo didn’t take his eyes off Izzy for a second, the large, gorgeous gelding prancing around, responding to his every move as if he couldn’t get enough of Theo.
“Am I imagining it, or is he really into this?” I asked.
The corner of Theo’s mouth curled up, and he nodded slightly.
Then he stopped the pressure and turned his back on Izzy. He didn’t even have to move. The poor gelding stopped and looked utterly confused. He tossed his head, long mane flying, then snorted.
When Theo didn’t react, Izzy hesitated. Then he stepped closer. And closer. And one more step, until he could carefully move his head close enough to Theo’s back that when he huffed out a long breath, I could see Theo’s hair move against his collar.
Theo was grinning at us. Then he got more serious.
“Izzy? What are you doing?” he asked, and the horse jerked his head back as if caught with his hoof in the cookie jar.
When Theo turned back, Izzy backed up a couple of steps, before dancing away.
Ben laughed. “Okay, I guess I’m starting to see how horses are interesting.”
My phone beeped, so I dug it out of my pocket.
“It’s Rey, he needs some help with something kitten related,” I said, frowning.
“I’ll go. You got this covered with Theo.” Ben blushed, his fair skin betraying him. I bet that must’ve been amazing growing up. “Besides, I’m not afraid of kittens.”
“You say that now,” I teased. “Just follow Rey’s lead and you’ll be fine. Thanks!”
“Of course,” he tossed over his shoulder and went back to the house.
Theo was smiling when I turned back to look at him.
