the time has come

[Snowflake]

Justin eyed me sleepily, his eyelids drooping and one leg resting. I stood, watching him somewhat curiously though I'd known him for years. You see, Justin had always been the quiet one. He'd also been overlooked, and outshined for the past two years of his life and for this reason, he had not yet lived up to his potential. I felt responsible for this, because I'd always had more than enough horses to love, and it was the fiesty ones that got your attention. Justin had been scratched last minute from the Unicorn Horn Colts last week because we chickened out - the competition was both younger and more experienced, and we decided it would be better to start him in a smaller, easier race so he would have every chance of getting off to a good start this year.

I finally stopped analysing the bay thoroughbred and let myself into his stall, clipping a leadrope to his halter. Come on, handsome. I said with a cluck of my tongue. He followed me calmly outside, where I tied him to a fence post. It was nice weather this morning, so I would groom him outside. After fetching my grooming kit, I picked out each of Justin's feet, brushed his mane, tail and body, then gave his eyes, nose and under his tail a refreshening wipe with a sponge. Tossing the dirty sponges into a bucket of water, I stood back to admire my handy work. Justin, who turned to look at me questioningly, shone brilliantly in the early morning sunlight. I grinned, and stepped back to his head to stroke his silky neck. Who's a gorgeous boy?