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Description
Rajial cautiously walked through the sale grounds, glancing nervously from side to side. The horse auction hadn't been what she'd expected at all, and she sighted numerous "shady characters" staring daggers through the poor, filthy animals that lingered in the corners of their pens.

With money at New Horizon Stables tight and the financial situation getting increasingly worse, Rajial knew she had to find an alternative source of income. She hadn't had a breeding since Karma had been leased to Melody Riddle for her arabian, Dusty. Raj's best idea had been to start teaching group or private riding lessons for children at a modest price, and she certainly didn't plan on using her show horses for this purpose. The only candidate she could think of was perhaps Sierra Sun, but training the mare was proving to be the most daunting challenge Raj had ever experienced. The dun mustang was making slow progress and exhibited an unpredictable, wild streak that Raj couldn't contain. She hadn't ridden the mare herself and could never allow young, inexperienced children to do so until Sierra made some drastic improvements.

So, here she was, almost embarrassed to be seen at such a dodgy place, stalking through the mud and manure on this damp occasion scouring the sale grounds for a kind-hearted pony likely to get along with children. The horses were a devastating sight. Their heads hung low, and their listless eyes seemed to focus on nothing of this world. The emaciation was overwhelming, and Raj fought back tears upon the sight of more than one close to death. Rajial forced herself to turn the anger and depression inside of her towards determination and strove to save one of the poor souls. When the auction was beginning, she apprehensively took her seat and thought about the vast number of kill buyers present.

The horses staggered, limped and occasionally walked into the small show ring more suited for cattle. One after the other. The bids were quick and greedy and pitiful. Most horses sold for only a few hundred dollars at most. Some didn't sell at all. Rajial knew she could at least find a cheap buy, but the conditions of the horses were unpredictable and daunting. Who knew how many unused dollars would go towards vet bills. She wiggled her foot and fidgeted in frustration, convincing herself to leave after this horse, a fleabitten gray gelding who looked half dead already. That was when the mare walked out.

Despite her emaciation, she struggled to hold her head high, compared to the rest. The look in her eyes was of pure defiance. Her steady steps must have been painful considering the condition of her hooves, but she didn't show it. She sported a dirty gash on her rear left, and Raj could count her ribs from her seat far above the ground floor. The mare must be a mustang, with her stocky build and diminutive size. Raj squinted to make out a star-stripe-snip combination and decided she had white on every leg. The socks, especially the modest coronet band, were caked in mud and feces. The strawberry roan mare was swarming with flies and didn't even bother to shake her head as they intruded upon her eyes, ears and nostrils. Rajial found her beauty underneath it all and wanted her more than she'd wanted anything in ages. The mare's act of health must have worked because the bids came piling in at a rapid speed.

Rajial struggled to understand what the auctioneer was saying. She'd watched the buyers carefully and had realized a simple raise of the hand counted as a 25$ increase to the bid. The mare was already up to 300$ before Rajial had the courage to raise hers. Determined to rescue this little fighter, she feuded with a tall, grimacing man with a black Stetson. The man had the nerve to turn in his seat and stare Raj down as he bid. She sat up as straight as she could, but she was one of the few women in the room and certainly the most vulnerable looking. With a grunt, the man resumed his forward position and allowed Rajial to purchase the pitiful mare for 500$.

Rajial skipped the remainder of the horses and retreated to her black Ford F250 in an attempt to eat something before claiming her prize. The overwhelming stench from the sale grounds deterred her, so she exited her favorite vehicle in a rush and made her way to her mare's number.

The mare swung her head around to stare at Raj and seemed to look right through her. Her energy was waning, and she lowered her head ever so slightly to nibble on some damp hay. Raj whispered to her, reaching a hand out to the mustang cautiously. With a snort, the mare left the hay and trudged through the filth. Her prickly muzzle investigated Raj's hand and nibbled at her fingertips. Raj swallowed back tears and laughed to herself thinking of what a prize she'd won. She dug into her pocket and appeared with a peppermint. The mare's ears pricked forward in surprise, and her eyes became a little brighter.

Rajial knew the mare's name at that moment. It was a sweet yet strong name she'd always adored.

"Mischa."

I was feeling pretty depressed today myself, so I began on a depressing piece. I knew I had to get my spunky mustang mare to my stables from the wild! I already have her daughter, Sierra Sun, and her mate, Sun Gazer (but Raj has no clue of relation yet!). Hope I did ok with her pitiful body. I'm pretty happy with this piece and had a lot of fun doing the annoying flies.

Art and Mischa (c) Me

Description
Rajial cautiously walked through the sale grounds, glancing nervously from side to side. The horse auction hadn't been what she'd expected at all, and she sighted numerous "shady characters" staring daggers through the poor, filthy animals that lingered in the corners of their pens.

With money at New Horizon Stables tight and the financial situation getting increasingly worse, Rajial knew she had to find an alternative source of income. She hadn't had a breeding since Karma had been leased to Melody Riddle for her arabian, Dusty. Raj's best idea had been to start teaching group or private riding lessons for children at a modest price, and she certainly didn't plan on using her show horses for this purpose. The only candidate she could think of was perhaps Sierra Sun, but training the mare was proving to be the most daunting challenge Raj had ever experienced. The dun mustang was making slow progress and exhibited an unpredictable, wild streak that Raj couldn't contain. She hadn't ridden the mare herself and could never allow young, inexperienced children to do so until Sierra made some drastic improvements.

So, here she was, almost embarrassed to be seen at such a dodgy place, stalking through the mud and manure on this damp occasion scouring the sale grounds for a kind-hearted pony likely to get along with children. The horses were a devastating sight. Their heads hung low, and their listless eyes seemed to focus on nothing of this world. The emaciation was overwhelming, and Raj fought back tears upon the sight of more than one close to death. Rajial forced herself to turn the anger and depression inside of her towards determination and strove to save one of the poor souls. When the auction was beginning, she apprehensively took her seat and thought about the vast number of kill buyers present.

The horses staggered, limped and occasionally walked into the small show ring more suited for cattle. One after the other. The bids were quick and greedy and pitiful. Most horses sold for only a few hundred dollars at most. Some didn't sell at all. Rajial knew she could at least find a cheap buy, but the conditions of the horses were unpredictable and daunting. Who knew how many unused dollars would go towards vet bills. She wiggled her foot and fidgeted in frustration, convincing herself to leave after this horse, a fleabitten gray gelding who looked half dead already. That was when the mare walked out.

Despite her emaciation, she struggled to hold her head high, compared to the rest. The look in her eyes was of pure defiance. Her steady steps must have been painful considering the condition of her hooves, but she didn't show it. She sported a dirty gash on her rear left, and Raj could count her ribs from her seat far above the ground floor. The mare must be a mustang, with her stocky build and diminutive size. Raj squinted to make out a star-stripe-snip combination and decided she had white on every leg. The socks, especially the modest coronet band, were caked in mud and feces. The strawberry roan mare was swarming with flies and didn't even bother to shake her head as they intruded upon her eyes, ears and nostrils. Rajial found her beauty underneath it all and wanted her more than she'd wanted anything in ages. The mare's act of health must have worked because the bids came piling in at a rapid speed.

Rajial struggled to understand what the auctioneer was saying. She'd watched the buyers carefully and had realized a simple raise of the hand counted as a 25$ increase to the bid. The mare was already up to 300$ before Rajial had the courage to raise hers. Determined to rescue this little fighter, she feuded with a tall, grimacing man with a black Stetson. The man had the nerve to turn in his seat and stare Raj down as he bid. She sat up as straight as she could, but she was one of the few women in the room and certainly the most vulnerable looking. With a grunt, the man resumed his forward position and allowed Rajial to purchase the pitiful mare for 500$.

Rajial skipped the remainder of the horses and retreated to her black Ford F250 in an attempt to eat something before claiming her prize. The overwhelming stench from the sale grounds deterred her, so she exited her favorite vehicle in a rush and made her way to her mare's number.

The mare swung her head around to stare at Raj and seemed to look right through her. Her energy was waning, and she lowered her head ever so slightly to nibble on some damp hay. Raj whispered to her, reaching a hand out to the mustang cautiously. With a snort, the mare left the hay and trudged through the filth. Her prickly muzzle investigated Raj's hand and nibbled at her fingertips. Raj swallowed back tears and laughed to herself thinking of what a prize she'd won. She dug into her pocket and appeared with a peppermint. The mare's ears pricked forward in surprise, and her eyes became a little brighter.

Rajial knew the mare's name at that moment. It was a sweet yet strong name she'd always adored.

"Mischa."

I was feeling pretty depressed today myself, so I began on a depressing piece. I knew I had to get my spunky mustang mare to my stables from the wild! I already have her daughter, Sierra Sun, and her mate, Sun Gazer (but Raj has no clue of relation yet!). Hope I did ok with her pitiful body. I'm pretty happy with this piece and had a lot of fun doing the annoying flies.

Art and Mischa (c) Me