New Assignments (Vet Students)

[Annabelle Archer]

Bat had moved around, but not much and not very fast. It was very obvious that his legs hurt when he moved. A glance moved over to Cara, Belle knew that the girl knew a lot about herbs and that sort of stuff. She wondered if she knew anything for relieving pain, slightly. Even though the eighteen year old happened to be the oldest, she was hardly the most experience, not even by a long shot. Cara and Miranda had been at this a long while before they even knew Belle's name. Curly blond hair was brushed back with dirt covered hands as the dazzling blue eyes focused on the detail of this equine's body structure. As if it was so hard to see it at this point. Seeing a couple of quick movements from Fingal, Belle's eyes moved to the very end of her peripheral vision. The gelding was very skittish, but Belle knew that Mir had the patience to bond with him. Once again turning her attention back to the Appaloosa gelding she ran her hand over the very apparent ribs on the horse's flanks. "Good, boy Bat." The only quick movement from him was his ears, a smile again occupied Belle's face.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara stood at the fence of the yard, just looking at the pony's face, a slight smile touched her lips as Pixie lifted her head, her ears pricked forward as she blew down her nostrils toward the girl, even if she didn't step any closer. The girl took in every shape, line and shadow of the mare's face, without seeming to stare, and using what she saw to quickly map out an image of who the mare really was, under the fear, scars and medication. Just from looking at the mare it was easy to see that she was on some form of medication, even if it was only Bute - though with the pain the mare must be going through she hoped it was more than just an over-the-counter painkiller.

She could tell that the pain drove the mare's fear and as soon as she could convince the mare that she could relieve that pain, the fear should dissipate as well. Other than the poorly thought out idea of leading the mare home, it seemed that she had had a good life until now, so there shouldn't have been any other reason for the mare to fear people, if she was already cautious, she would never have remained with the people in the car, her instinctive fight or flight reflex would have kicked in and she would have got free one way or another.

Her attention shifted; first to Fingal, the gelding who had a great fear of anything and everything, more of stopping than he did of moving. And then to the Appaloosa who had an undying trust that his owners would return to collect him, even while he was wasting away. Surely, if he had known that he had been abandoned, he would have gone in search of greener pastures? Her attention then returned to Pixie and her eyebrows lifted when she noticed that the rose grey mare had stepped closer to her. She had her list of herbs that she wanted to use on and for the mare, she just needed to get the all-clear from Dr Carr first - not the woman had ever denied her the freedom of feeding her own charge in the past. She also knew a few that Belle could offer the gelding, but she would keep those to herself unless the older girl actually asked for her opinion.

[Annabelle Archer]

Figuring it would be the best thing to let him be for the time being, the eighteen year old made her way out the yard and over to Cara. Belle really wanted to help the gelding in the best way she could and that involved help from Cara. When she got close she kept her voice lower as she didn't want to spook any of the horse in earshot. "Cara may I ask a question?" Most would be jealous of the younger girl for her knowloedge, but honestly it just made Belle want to push herself harder to become that good. "Since you are very fimilar with herbs.." her voice trailed off, "would you happen to have any in mind for the Appaloosa?" The corner of her mouth turned up as she waited patiently for Cara to answer. Bat shook his head, but not with much force. His large brown eyes carried much sorrow, she knew he needed herbs, whether she found out which ones from Dr. Carr or Cara, hopefully from Cara. A slight sigh escaped her mouth when she thought about his past. Waiting there for his owners to return and then they never did. Poor thing, she thought but quickly Belle turned her attention back to Cara

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara was paying so much attention to the mare she would be treating that she missed the approach of the other vet student and jumped when Belle spoke to her. She turned to the girl with an open look, not seeing the point in verbally responding to her question as she knew that with her apathetic voice it may come across as being sarcastic. Her eyebrows flew up when she was asked what herbs the other girl could use on the gelding she would be working with.

The girl thought for a moment as a dozen herbs floated through her head, and she picked out the ones that would be easiest for the girl to find - and the ones that she had well in stock now that it was approaching winter. "Soaked nettle, it has a blood purifying element, which will support the tissues in their action of absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste product. Garlic, it has an antimicrobial action which will help rid him of any bacterial micro-organiams that may be present on the skin. Dandelion, will support the liver and kidneys in their task of filtering waste products. Kelp, for all-around aid to skin and coat condition. And a nice rinse of a rosemary infusion will do his mane and tail wonders." She looked at the gelding. "A daily groom with a rubber curry comb will also help the condition of his skin as it will help get the blood flowing, but you already know that." She shrugged her shoulders. "Don't give them him all at once though, just bits at a time. I'd get in trouble if you feed him too much from adding the herbs." Of course, she would also suggest for the older girl to offer him the fresh herbs before she started offering him the dried ones - as the acceptance of the herbs had to come from the horse, she had only given suggestions - but that would wait for another time, she'd talked enough for now.