The colt’s sides heaved with his heavy breathing. The obvious inhales and exhales started to slow with the mare’s movements as he started to realize she was not going to hurt him. Still uncertain, he watched every movement, straightening as she made a show of neutrality. Even after his shrill call, she did not respond in anger or agitation and he blinked in surprised curiosity. She lowered her head and munched on the grass in front of them. His ears flicked forward, his own hunger forgotten in favor of figuring out this mare and if he was truly okay here.

At last she smiled at him again. The one little expression relaxed the child. His shoulders lowered and a smile spread across his own lips. Embracing the spark of confidence he stepped towards her with his nose outstretched in greeting. He unconsciously made another squeaking sound, completely unaware that anything was something from his chords. Stepping forward, he hesitated again. At first his slate and white face glanced at the forest at their side and then to the crashing waves. His head and ears drooped again. Though this mare was kind with a smile on her face, he did not know if he would be welcome here to stay, or for how long if he was. Looking back at her, once more uncertainty was written on his face. Growing up he had never been encouraged to try to communicate. He was kept alive because he had been born alive and they hoped his ailment would pass. When it had not they had been chased out. Never had he been encouraged to try to speak his mind or express a need. He was given what he had been given and was expected to be thankful. The thought stuck in his mind he stamped his foot in continued frustration. It seemed like there was only one who would have known how to handle him and his condition.

Shaking away his thoughts before he could possibly make too many more mistakes, he braced himself for the attempt he was about to make. With a glance back at the beach, he hung his head low and side stepped away from it with a snort, clearly apprehensive. Gazing back at the lush forest his could feel hope starting in his chest. He looked at the mare, taking a chance and pressed his nose gently on her shoulder and took a step towards the vibrant brush and looked at her hopefully. He did not want to go back into the water, he did not want to have to try to survive the swim again. If only for the season, he would like to feel like he would survive his first year of life.