© 1997 Derrick, M. Water Hole Custom Leather Inc. This manuscript can not be published in any form or by any medium with out written consent from the author(s)
The stone wall took 14 days to complete. During these 14 days, everything went basically the same. A routine was established, bonds were being formed, and habits were being established. Ashley continued the groomings, Susan continued supervising the work, and Ashley's assistant continued her one hour checks and her provision of lunch. The work was consistently hard, building Michael's strength and stamina. God, it was hard and glorious -- never did a moment seemed boring. And always, Michael could see inspectors watching his work -- carefully inspecting him, as well as the work he did.
During the 14 days, a few slight changes did occur, representing Michael's continued progression through training. For one, Susan would come along on occasion with hints about how to make his work load easier -- how to stand in a way that made the rocks easier to lift, how to stand in a way to make the cart easier to move -- and how to walk so he would be more pleasing to look at (what -- what did that have to do with anything, he would think -- and yet he would be so excited as she taught him how to look his best.)
For another, Ashley made further suggestions, and he was now being completely shaven except for his head.
One change disturbing to Michael was that he had not seen but glimpses of Lady Equine. Every so often he would see her watching him from a distance and then talking with Susan. Or he would see her in the fields with men who looked like the one who had knelt by her on the porch and played with her in the garden.
On the 14th day, however, Michael got the rare pleasure of secretively watching Lady Equine -- for a full hour. It began when he saw her leading a man -- the one he met on the second day -- what was his name again? Ummmm -- a strange name -- Michael could not remember, but he knew it sounded barely human -- what was it -- ranger -- yes it was ranger. God was he handsome.
What happened was that, at one point when Michael was placing stones on the fence, and looking down, he saw Lady Equine with ranger. She was leading him, and he was following. Next, he went through a process -- a transformation from a man to a horse-man -- or at least it seemed that way to Michael. He was so drawn to this transformation -- so taken by it. It began when Lady Equine placed ranger between two poles and had him hold onto loops, much like the loops Michael had held onto during his first grooming. She undressed him fully. She brushed him so tenderly yet forcefully with a horse brush -- and then she used other things in a grooming box to make him shine in the sun. She placed on a body harness of wrist, elbow, thigh, knee, and ankle cuffs. These all made sounds -- bells -- yes -- it was bells. She placed on a jock strap and it had -- what was that -- what was that -- a plug -- yes -- a butt plug that ranger had to bend over to receive. Michael could hear him moan way up at the fence. It made him so excited, he could hardly stand it. There was a tail on this as well -- a horse tail. And then a head harness, with a bit -- just like the one Michael was learning to use to control the brakes. The bit had reins that rested on ranger's back. Then ranger was made to go on all fours. A horse blanket was placed on him to protect his back. And the most handsome of Western saddles was placed on his back. His hair, so shiny and long, looked like a mane -- which ranger appeared to like to sway in the wind -- and he liked to wiggle his ass as well -- just as Susan had asked Michael to do while he was bending over to pick up rocks. And -- yes -- Lady Equine seemed delighted by it all!
Then -- then Lady Equine got up on the saddle! She had a riding
crop. And she used this and the reins to walk with ranger -- through
the fields. God, they looked so beautiful together -- Michael
was so excited, even though he still could not comprehend the
whole picture. He just envied ranger so. He did not understand
it all -- he just knew he wanted to feel this -- to experience
this. He wondered how one got to be in such a position as ranger.
Then, to his surprise, ranger got up on his two legs, and began to run with Lady Equine on his back. It was glorious -- it was wonderful -- God -- how did one get this rare privilege and what did it all mean?
They were like a team -- both knowing the other so well -- both riding as if one being -- no flaws -- no jerks -- beautiful -- flowing -- in one motion.
When they had finished riding, ranger was again brought to the poles, and directed to position himself on all fours. Two men came to remove his gear, while Lady Equine simply tasseled his hair, and ranger used his head just like a horse would -- to get her to lift her arms and pet him more -- to snuggle up close, and to --- to -- what was that -- he seemed to actually take apple slices from her pocket. When she noticed, she laughed and gave him a swift wallop with the riding crop.
Once naked again, ranger laid in the grass, on his belly, and Lady Equine sat next to him. She rubbed his back and his shoulders -- it seemed she had something on her hands - something, that -- when she touched him with it -- he groaned and moaned and stretched before her, remaining on his belly. God -- what was that thing? What could be so pleasurable to make any man lay like that and move like that, naked in front of the Lady?
Michael heard the assistant groomer behind him and got scared. He acted as if nothing had happened -- grabbing for another rock. God he wanted to watch more -- he wanted to see what would happen next -- Damn it!!!!
The assistant wondered why the work did not seem to be progressing. Michael said he was a bit tired, but could pick up his pace now.
"Are you sure -- we are not permitted to overwork you."
"Yes, I am sure."
The rest of the day was uneventful, except that the wall was finally finished. Michael was washed and sent to his truck. There, Susan met him, none too pleased.
"Michael, stand before me."
He scampered out of his car and did so, although he was not quite sure why he moved so quickly -- so obediently.
"Michael -- Lady Equine noted that you watched her and ranger for a full hour today instead of tending to your work.."
"Yes, but, may I ex......"
"No -- no you may not -- this is unthinkable -- how could you have done this?"
"But Susan, please let me ex...."
She swatted him with her riding crop on the side of his left thigh. It really stung and he was quite surprised.
"Michael - no -- do not explain to me -- I do not want to hear it."
Michael was struggling now and pretty worried and embarrassed.
"Listen, your appointment with Ashley has been moved up to 4:00 am. She will ready you for work, but more important, for an audience with Lady Equine. This is very serious Michael. Do not be late....and do not have lame excuses. These things will not be tolerated by the Lady. Just go home now and rest well, and prepare yourself physically and mentally, Michael. Tomorrow will not be a very pleasant day. Off with you now -- and rest well"
Michael was shaking as he got into his truck. Susan leaned into the window. "Michael, I do not know if you understand the magnitude of what has happened, but please be ready for tomorrow -- be ready for anything The Lady is not happy. You did not do your work. You invaded her privacy."
Michael drove home in a daze. What the hell was going to happen? Why was this so bad? I mean, she was right there in the open with ranger -- anyone could see. Anyone.
He arrived in his residence, ate, and went to the saddle shop to work. However, he was so overwhelmed that he could not concentrate. He ended up having an accident with one of the machines -- gashing himself quite badly -- and he knew he should go home and just try to sleep. Of course he was restless, finally falling asleep about 1:00 am -- only to be awakened by a very early alarm.
He quickly readied himself for his appointment with Ashley.
As he entered the gate, the guard looked at him solemnly -- "Good luck today, Michael -- and remember, the truth is always best".
What was this -- did every one know about this? And what was going to happen? His anxiety continued to rise. He could hardly breathe.
Ashley met him at the truck. She also looked quite solemn.
"How are you Michael?"
"Fine, I guess -- and nervous."
"Being nervous is wise today Michael -- and you should be
alert as well. Many of us have grown quite fond of you, Michael,
and we do not want you to blow it today and be turned away from
the property -- so be alert. It is all up to you."
"What -- what do you mean -- was my offense so bad?"
"Michael please, do not ask me questions -- you know the rules -- let us just get to work, and make you the most presentable that you have ever been while on this property."
There was no running to the locker today -- just fast and determined walking. There was also no blindfold -- just the lead -- and absolutely no talking.
So this time, Michael became very aware that he was walking into a stables. Not lockers -- but an actual stables. He became very aware that all the grooming instruments were made for horses -- and that they came from a grooming box with his name on it. He became very aware of the many stalls, as well as the names that labeled these stalls. He was keenly aware that one stall -- the best stall -- said "ranger". He was very aware of other men and woman being groomed -- with their own grooming boxes, with their names -- some names that sounded human and some that did not. All the fantasies -- all the dreams -- well they certainly looked real now -- could this be real -- could this really be the place he was seeing -- and was he now going to loose any opportunity to find out the truth -- to participate -- simply because of a one hour mistake -- please no!
While he looked and thought, he hardly responded to his grooming, until Ashley asked him to bend and told him he needed to be cleaned within for an audience with the Lady. With a start -- he felt a hose and he felt warm water flowing inside and filling his abdomen. He was told to hold it as long as he could. He wondered where the bathroom was -- where would he be able to relieve himself -- but no such room was visible to him. He held, looking at Ashley, waiting for direction.
"Walk over there Michael -- and relieve yourself."
"Here?"
"Michael, please, just do it!"
And he did -- and then he bent -- as commanded -- and was hosed down.
Then he was dressed and the lead was placed on. Ashley walked him to the porch of Lady Equine's house. She stopped well before the porch and simply said -- "Good luck, Michael -- and remember that honesty -- no matter how hard -- is the best." She left him there, alone and trembling.