Solon's Tails Series

[cheval]

Hey all, I'm moving the Solon Tails stories over to this forum. They will be just in one thread and there will be new chapter's coming up. Hope you enjoy!

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Chapter 1


A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away……..

A great warhorse lived in a great fortress and spent his days eating and playing. It was long rumored that the Kingdom would be at peace for many, many years so he let his manly figure go.

A dark cloud came across the Kingdom and rumors of battles in distant lands. His friends began getting into shape for soon it would be to war! Solon however enjoyed his new lifestyle and was content to do no more than walk to his water bucket, then back to his feed.

"You must get your manly figure back!" Shorty, his best friend pleaded. "You are the main force in our mighty line of attack".
"Pffff!" Solon snorted back. "I am just fine, I could take you all on!"

And to prove it he trotted to the other end of the field and facing away from them gasped for breathe ready to pass out. No never mind there, he thought to himself. I'm not for running anyhow. I just knock stuff over.

He watched the other horses work out and practice their fighting drills while he stood chewing on the juicy grass they were sadly ignoring. Shorty trotted up to him.

"Please, you must get into shape! We need you!"
"Pffff!" Solon turned and for good measure farted in Shorty's face.
"Well, you still have THAT defense I see," Shorty said as he backed away turning a bright shade of green.

Then came a time when Solon's peasant owner arrived at the field. He pretended he did not see the shock on her face.

"You must get your manly figure back! The battle will soon be here!"
"Pfff!" Solon snorted and proceeded to turn away only to have a rope thrown around his neck! WHAT?

"We'll start out with walking some laps and ease you into more work." she told him as she pulled on his lead.
"Fine, it's just walking, how hard can that be?"

After the second lap around the very large field Solon grabbed her shoulder with his lip so slow her down.

"Must…eat.. Soon… can't….make… it…."
"Come on, we've got a few more laps."

He continued to pull on her shoulder, her pony tail the back of her shirt. She ignored him entirely. Red alert! Red alert! Solon put his very big brain into overtime to figure out how to keep from working out.

He'd stop to scratch his knee. HA! She fell for that. Silly peasant. He stopped to scratch his belly. Got her again! He stopped for a drink of water. I am the King of the World!

Eventually the scratching didn't work, so he decided to keep stopping at the water trough. Surely she will not deny me water!

But he'd drank so much he'd swollen up like a balloon. He wasn't thirsty but he put his nose in the trough and stood there. Ooops. She figured that one out too.

Well this is just not to be had! He followed her around the field, dragging his feet, protesting in every cute way he'd learned over the years to no avail. She was serious. Finally, they stopped. Whew! What a relief.

Wait! Hold on a second here! He watched as she pulled out that long snapping thing. That meant trotting and running. I'll never make it, he thought desperately! The snappy thing cracked and his reflex was to trot off. This stinks!

He shook his head, he squealed, he growled. To no avail. The peasant was not letting up. Finally when he thought he could no longer go on she called him over and did his best, "how could you do this to me face. She patted his head and gave him a cookie.

Hmm…. Well, that wasn't so bad I guess, he thought chewing on the wonderful cookie. No. Not so bad at all. She kissed his nose and walked away from the field. Shorty came trotting over and just looked at him.

"You shut up" he told Shorty. "I don't want to hear it."
"Not too bad Fatty McFattyPants," Shorty replied.
"I told you not to call me that!" Solon reached over to nip him but Shorty, being very fast on his hooves was already gone.

Solon went back to eating. Knowing for certain this was a one time deal. Surely the peasant who loved him wouldn't make him do this again.

But oh, how wrong he was.


(Based on a true story from last night).

11-10-2006

[cheval]

Chapter 2


A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away……..

Solon thought long and hard after the peasant had worked with him in the training field. There has got to be a way out of this work. My manly figure is fine I say! Im in good fighting shape! He chomped on another mouthful of grass and watched Shorty in the field.

“Come on out Fatty McFattyPants!" Shorty chided. “You're far from your manly figure!"

Very well, Solon thought. That little turd of friend would see first hand the wonder of his warhorse abilities. Solon darted out and ran a few paces. And stopped.

“Catching your breathe?" Shorty laughed as he trotted up.
“NO, I, uh, got something in my shoe."
“You dont wear shoes."
“I got something in my ear."
“The winds not blowing. "
“Why are you picking on me!"
“Because you are my best friend and we will need you in this very great battle that is coming."

Solon looked on the horizon. A dark cloud loomed. And he sensed something bad.

“I'll start tomorrow. I'm tired, my sides hurt."
Shorty looked at him with concern and playfully nipped his cheek. He watched Solon walk slowly toward the castle barn.

Solon layed down. Why does my side hurt so bad? He breathed deeply and slowly. He stretched out hoping that would ease the pain. He heard the hoof steps and opened an eye to see Shorty standing over him.

“Are you alright?"
“My sides hurt."
“Maybe you have gas. Dinner made Skip awfully gassy tonight. Just fart."

Solon closed his eye. If it were only that easy. Shorty cocked his ear sideways.

“Im getting your peasant."
“No! Im fine, just let me rest!"

Shorty knew some was happening to his friend. He wheeled around and ran to the far end of the field where the peasants lived. He nickered and nickered. Where were those peasants? Shorty called to Skip.

“Get this gate open! I must get Solons peasant!"

Skip was an expert at opening even the most sophisticated gates, it was no time before Shorty trotted through. He spotted Solons peasant and stomped.

She looked up and must have known immediately something was amiss. She ran past Shorty and into the field toward the castle barn.

“You have to get up!" she pushed on Solons neck.
“I dont want to, it hurts."
“I dont care, you have to get up NOW."

By now many of the peasants had come to where Solon was laying down. People scrambled everywhere. Some getting warm water, some getting a warm blanket.

“Get up Solon!"

Solon sighed and brought himself to a sitting position. With another push from his peasant he stood but was shaky.

“Get the doctor!" he heard someone call.
“Uh uh. Nope. No doctors. They put their hands in places where hands werent meant to go and gave shots and… and….and…. Owww!" His sides hurt so bad.

Things moved around him quickly but time seemed to move so slowly. He could sort of hear what they were talking about but he was consumed with pain. Then he felt a sharp jab in his neck. Quickly a warm feeling came across his body.

“Hey, thats kind a nice, he thought as he felt his lower lip start to droop." He watched the doctor pull out a long tube.
“Oh Gods, where is that going?

His peasant held his nose while the doctor put the tube up his nose.
“Wait! I…. I cant breathe! Hey!" he coughed a couple of times. “Ow!"

He took a big gulp and the tube slid down his throat.

“Hmm… tingly."

In moments a warm sensation went through his throat and into his belly. He sighed.

“Not ..so… bad."

It was only a moment and the tube was out of his nose. His eyes were droopy but he watched as the doctor rolled up his sleeve. He widened his eyes as much as he could. That meant only one thing!

But he was too relaxed to do anything and truth be told, when the matter was all done he felt MUCH better! He looked at his peasant now, such concern and sadness! He grabbed her arm with his lip. Was she crying? I feel much better! Ill be back to my old self in no time at all!

“He will be better in a couple of days," the doctor told his peasant. “No work for awhile though, we want to make sure hes completely better."

Solon smiled and lowered his head. He was relaxed and sleepy and out of pain. Well that was one way to get out of work. But not one Ill be trying again any time soon.

11-18-06

Note: This story was written after a severe bout of colic that Solon went through.

[cheval]

Chapter 3


A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away……..

“What is THAT?"
“What?"
“That thing in your hand?"
“It's your bridle."

Solon lifted his head a little higher, just out of reach of his peasant.

“That is surely NOT for ME. Im on stall rest remember?"
“You were on stall rest a few days ago. You rested. Now its time to get back to work."
“I dont feel done resting. Uh…my sides a little sore still…I uh-"
“You -uh-nothing. Put your head down."

Hmmm… shes in one of those demanding sort of moods I see. Well, this will take extra care to get her to do what I want. But for now, Ill go along with it.

“And if you are thinking youre just going along with me you are quite wrong. Today you work."

Solon curled his lip, his best way of sticking his tongue out. This peasant was getting too smart for her britches!

They walked upon the training field. Shorty was with his peasant trotting… no.. prancing. Prancing? Solon looked at the other end of the field. A girl! She was a pretty little mare. But oh what were they doing to her??

“Come on, lets watch them teach her how to lay down," the peasant said as she tugged on Solons lead.

This was quite interesting actually. The mare had a lead strapped to her leg and it was lifted up. The mares peasant was pulling on her reins ever so slightly, enough to get the mare to go down to her knees then down on her side.

“Why are they doing that?"
“Its a good battle trick, get your horse to lay down and -"
“Youre not expecting ME to do that are you?"
“Want to try?"
“No. No I dont."
“Come on itll be fun."

Somehow Solon believed it would be anything but fun. He stood there as his peasant lifted up his leg. Well, thats not so bad. Ha ha!! Shes too short to reach over and grab the rein! Errr…. Maybe not. He felt a slight tug.

“Are you sure about this?"
“Yes, do what that other horse did."
“But she sort of just fell over, thats a long fall.. to just tip over."
“Bend your knee," she said.
“How?"
“Well how do you normally lay down?" his peasant asked impatiently.

Solon had to think about it.
“Bend a knee -"
“Okay, I have that started."
“Wrong knee." Hee hee, he thought.

He heard her sigh and his foot landed with a thud. He could hear her walk behind him and felt his other foot being picked up. Big mouth! He thought angrily to himself!

“Okay, bend a knee and-?"
“Well," he thought, “Uh, I bend the other knee --but youre asking me to do it and I cant really process that. It has be on my own terms."
“Well if thats the case you wont get around to doing it."
Solon snorted.
“Ill give it a try."

He kneeled a bit and lowered his head. Im gonna fall!! He jumped forward.

“Whew, that was scary."
“Solon dont be a drama queen."
“I'm not! It gave me a fright."
“Try again. Just go to your knee and thats all well do."
“All-- as in just that or all as in-- done for the day?"
“The day," she sighed.

Solon let her lift his leg and felt the gentle tug on his reins and he lowered himself gently doing his best not to tip over. A little rough but he got to his knee. He stood and shook his mane very proud of himself. Yes, I am the man.

“Wer'e done right?"
“We're done."
"Not mostly done, all done?"
"All done."

Solon nibbled on her hair then trotted off after she had removed that contraption from his head.

Peasants….so easy to train.

11-19-06

[cheval]

Chapter 4


A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away……..

"Please don't do that, my friends can see." Solon raised his head so his peasant couldn't plant another smooch on the end of his nose. "It's embarrassing!"
"They get nose kisses too."
"Maybe, but NOT when their friends can see."

Solon kept his nose up but caught a familiar scent. CARROT!!!!! His senses went into overdrive. Must.. have…carrot… must… lower… head! Against his own will he lowered his head and as he grabbed the juicy carrot got another kiss planted on his nose.

Sigh…. Just entertain her, he thought. Even as silly as she was, his peasant wasn't THAT bad.

"What's that?" Solon asked as he happily munched on a carrot he had snuck out of her coat pocket. He was the most cleverest of horses when it came to sneaking goodies. Yes, the most cleverest.

"It's a book."
"Story Time!!"
"It's a training book."

Nooooo, it was the four, okay eight letter word of horror. The word that when entering a horse's ears caused horrifying bouts of pain and anxiety. His peasant was watching his expression.

"Don't be such a sissy. This is meant to help you."
"You are a sissy!! You are a sissy!" Solon heard the echo down the hall. Darn that Shorty and his super-sensitive hearing!!!!

"I already know it all. I don't need that book. Neither do you."
"Well, 'I' don't and it has pictures."
"Oh, pictures!!!"

Pictures were always fun in books. But not these. It was a terrible picture book. A horse being led over poles by it's peasant. That horse did not look happy! No matter what the book said. OH NO! It's a book on horse torture!!!!

Solon backed away and started humming.
"La-la-la, la la la, la-la." He felt a tug on his dreaded head contraption.

Busted! Solon sighed and gave into the pressure and turned toward his peasant. He lowered his head and tilted his head and blinked his eyes. His peasant smiled.

There we go, he thought. Good peasant. You are now under the power of my cuteness. There will be no use of the horse torture book. That's it, close the book, put it away, hand over the rest of the carrots in your pocket that I can't reach.

SNAP!

OH NO! The dreaded head contraption leading device. Sigh. He snorted and walked forward, slyly reaching in and grabbing a carrot that was working its way out of his peasant's pocket.

They went into the training field and lo and behold there was quite an array of poles and boxes. Some poles were raised and some were in funny shapes on the ground. He moved his ears back and forth, he sensed the eyes of his pals watching him through their stalls.

Oh yeah, he thought as he raised his head very proudly. Time to show them who's the gelding.

Solon walked over the first set of poles. Clip-clunk-scrape-BOOM!

"I think the idea is to pick up your feet as you walk over them."
"Well, then put them on the ground then! They're off the ground. Who can walk over that?"
"I can!"
"SHUT UP SHORTY!!!"

Solon followed his peasant around again. Clip-clunk-scrape-CRASH. The pole fell on the ground. He stood patiently as his peasant put the pole on top of the box.

"Again."
Clip-clunk… …. ….
"Good boy!" His peasant gave him good scratches behind his ear. Hey, that was kinda nice. Hmm….

He followed her again over the poles.
Clip ….. Clip……
"Good boy!!!"
More scratches AND a piece of carrot. WOW!! This is fun.

"Let's go again!" Solon started forward.
"No let's work on something else."

This set of poles was in a weird maze. He got through the first section… tight turn… crack! - bump!. The pole moved. He got around that, bump! - clip! - moved that pole too. Sigh….

"Good boy!"
Huh? He stood in astonishment as his peasant gave him scratches on his belly.
"But I moved the poles."
"Yes, but you did it without complaining. You didn't stop, you kept trying."

That's all it takes? To keep trying? Who'd have guessed that? He noticed another piece of carrot poking out of her pocket as she reached down to straighten the poles back up and he carefully grabbed it. She turned and patted his neck.

"Trying is what matters. Practice is what makes perfect."

Solon followed her again, this time only moving one pole. The peasant complimented him again and gave him the remaining carrots. I think I can get used to this, he thought as he proudly carried his head high.

"You're still a sissy!"
"SHUT UP SHORTY!"

Solon nuzzled his peasant, letting her give him the dreaded nose smooches.


12-4-06

[cheval]

Chapter 5


A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away……..

I feel good.
da-da-da da-da-da
Cause I got food now.
da-da-da da-da-da
I feeeeeeel good.
da-da-da da-da-da

Cause eating is nice.
So good da-da so nice da-da
cause I got foooood.
HYYYYYYYY!

"Those aren't the lyrics to that song."
"Says you," Solon snorted as he dunked another mouthful of hay.
"So what do you want for Christmas this year?"

Solon stopped eating and widened his eyes. CHRISTMAS! The bestest time of the year! Extra carrots, cookies, and the red apples instead of those icky yellow ones. New buckets and his peasant's Mom always stuffed his stocking full of Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses.

"So what would you like?"
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully knowing right off what he wanted. "Two.. I mean four months off."
"Off of what?!" his peasant exclaimed. "How can you take time off of doing nothing?"

"Well, you know it's winter and I uh.. I don't want you to catch a cold."
"Solon, I wear a hat and scarf and layers. I'm not going to catch a cold."
"Did you know that when it's cold you can injure yourself easier?"

He watched as she shook her head. Wow, she wasn't buying it.
"Guess that's a no on the time off?"
"You don't do that much as it is!"
"The other night was REALLY tough," he said in his pouty always-works-on-her look. "I had to go over all those poles and not knock them over and-"
"What would you do if you had to work as much as some of the other horses here?"
"Cry."

Solon lowered his head and let her put the leading contraption on. He thought about what she said, working as much as some of the other horses. Some of those horses sweat! And they have to trot for more than half a lap! AND they had to wear… gulp… belly squishers!

Noooooo!!! She couldn't possibly be thinking of using the belly squisher on me. I thought that was just a picture taking thing. Solon became very anxious. Even though he held is breath when the belly squisher was tightened, that thing still stayed on his back.

"Don't look so worried, I didn't bring the saddle today."
Today? Noooo! That meant it would be some day and that could be any day!! Maybe if I ate more food the belly squisher wouldn't fit anymore.

He lost his train of thought as they entered the training field. In the middle of the field was the pretty grey mare.

"You're slobbering Solon."
"Do you have to be so loud?" Solon ducked behind his peasant and peaked over her shoulder.
"Do you want to say hi to Widget?"
Talk to her? Was his peasant out of her ever-loving mind?? I can't go talk her. This day was turning out to be too much.

"Hey Widge," his peasant said to the pretty grey mare.
Solon kept his head ducked low. He often watched the pretty grey mare when he walked by her stall to see if she was looking at him. Shorty claimed that Widget adored him but Shorty thought all the mares liked him.

"Come on Sol, you can roll and I'll put you back in your stall to finish dinner."
Ahhh, rolling. Finally something relaxing to do. Solon searched for the best spot. Pawed the dirt, searched a little more. More pawing and finally found the right spot.

The dirt was refreshing. He could get to the itchy spots on his back. He sat and started to stand when it happened. The worst thing you ever want to happen in front of a mare you like. The extra effort to get up - he couldn't help it! It just happened!!! A big 'ol toot right out of his caboose.

And so loud that the pretty grey mare actually jumped! Solon walked as fast as he could away from the training field half dragging his peasant behind him. The horror!! He'd never be able to face the pretty grey mare again! NOT ever! This is turning into the worst day EVER!!!!

He stopped at the gate, nudging his peasant to hurry and open it. He looked over his shoulder and Widget was just laying down when he heard it…. TOOT!

And it didn't sound at all dainty mind you!! Suddenly, he didn't feel so bad about passing wind in front of her. So the old horse saying was indeed true: Passing gas in public is nothing to be ashamed of. Well this day didn't turn out that bad after all…

TOOT!

12-11-06

[cheval]

Chapter 6 - Christmas Not Want List


A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away……..

Dear Santa:

Last year I had a long list for you. I got some of what I wanted but I think there was a BIG mix-up because I got some stuff that I never ever ever ever in a million billion zillion years would have asked for.

So this year, I thought I would write you a list of things I don't want so we don't have a repeat of last year. But first I will tell you how good I've been I why I deserve to not get the stuff on my list.

I didn't sit on any gates this year.
I mostly stood still for my farrier.
I only spit out some of my wormer on my peasants head instead of all of it.
I only let myself out of my stall twice.
I tried really hard to keep trotting laps when I wanted to stop.
I learned a bunch of new tricks - that was fun!
I tried really hard not to toot when new people visited the barn.
I shared my toys with Shorty.
I let my peasant give me a bath. With soap.

So here is a list of what I don't want for Christmas. This is an important list Santa, maybe the most important list you will get EVER!

1. I don't want a trailer that I will fit in. I don't feel the need to travel and see the world!

2. I don't need a leather belly squisher - if my peasant gets a larger one, it'll be harder to for me to hold my breath and she'll be able to reach the holes!! At least now, if I puff up real good, she can't get the belly squisher to reach the hole very easy.

3. I don't want wormer. That was in my stocking last year. NOT cool.

4. I don't want a new riding contraption that goes on my face. They're over-rated!! I'm glad to not wear that horrible metal thing in my mouth, but I'm thinking that by-passing the whole riding thing entirely would be a-okay with me.

5. I don't want anymore of those beach balls. I can't play with them. They pop and it's loud and scares me!

6. I don't want hair care products. Shorty is more of the Fabio type, not me.

7. I don't want anymore horse torture picture books. I want picture books of horses doing fun things, like eating grass, sleeping. Not being ridden by peasants and ….gulp….working!

8. Corn oil is a regular food item, not a present. Putting a bow on it does not make it any different from getting it the rest of the year. However, cookies with bows on them, ACCEPTABLE!

I had a very good year Santa. Even when I was sick and I worried my peasant, I was taken care of and I am happy and healthy. I would like you to make sure that you visit all the horses and bring them extra food on Christmas day and lots of hugs (no nose kisses!).

Thank you Santa for reading and following my do not want list. Remember it's do NOT want, not want.

12-19-06

[cheval]

Chapter 7


A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away…..


Solon pushed his hay into a nice neat pile and laid down in front of it to begin his evening supper. He was happily chewing his food when he heard the very familiar footsteps of his peasant approaching.

Very quickly, he flattened out the pile of food to make it look like he had a lot less. His peasant would see how little food he had and know that the barn servants had not given him enough!

The door opened and his peasant walked in with the smile she always had for him. She bent down and kissed him on the nose (icky!) and noticed his food.

“Did they not give you all your supper again?"
“No they didnt!" he said in his very best astonished voice.
“I'll be right back. She turned on her heel and headed toward the hay."

“Silly peasant he said as he grabbed another mouthful of food."
“What did you say?" she asked as she put down a nice pile of lovely lush hay in front of him.
“I said, this is pleasant!" and he stuffed his mouth full of more hay.

He watched her sit down against the wall and pull a tangle of ‘something out of a bag. It looked oddly familiar. He grabbed another bite and watched as she took out a cloth and began cleaning the tangle of ‘something.

“Uh, whats that?"
“Your bridle."

Cough! Choke! Snort! Cough!

The riding contraption?? Didnt she get rid of that monstrous thing? What was it doing still here? She hadnt ridden in ages! Wasnt he retired? How could this be?

He stared at her wide-eyed.

“Well you are feeling better. No limping I thought youd be ready to ride."
“When is any horse ever ‘ready to ride?" he said in complete amazement.
“Don't you have fun?"
“Fun is eating and pooping and sleeping not… sweating! Besides, it hasnt been that long-“
“Its been a couple of months."

Well time does fly, he thought to himself. He grabbed another bite of food and set his mind to work. He would have to be very very clever to get out of this. His most cleverest yet.

Stomach-ache? No, he did that last fall and nearly scared his peasant half out of her wits. Better not try that one. My ‘other leg! Yes, thats it!!

“I know what you are thinking."
“What?" he said ever so innocently.
“There will be no faking of injuries or illnesses."

Wow. She was getting good. He watched her put the riding contraption in her lap. And she pointed her finger at him.

“Exercise is good for you, youll feel better."
“I feel just fine, laying here, relaxing."

Who came up with exercise makes you feel better? He was going to have to find that person and make an example of them!

“Come on, well start out slow, just walk around the training field a bit."
“No riding contraption?"
She sighed.
“No riding contraption."

Solon stood, gave a good shake and followed her out of the building to the training field. There were other horses and their peasants training very hard. He shuddered at the thought. All that trotting and doing those circles… it was horrible!

“Do you really want to be the only warhorse here that doesnt do anything?"
“Why yes, yes I do," he replied very matter-of-factly.
“And when the enemy comes and we need to fight and you cant because you are too chubby? Then what?"
“I am NOT chubby!" he protested.

He felt his peasant push on one of his squishy parts.

“We must always be ready in case the enemy comes!"
“I have an idea, lets move far away from the enemy, and have no exercise and live chubbily ever after?"

She pointed and he started walking alongside her. This was going to take a lot of effort on his part to get out of this. But he was a very smart warhorse and if anyone could figure out how to get out of things it was him…

8-22-07

[Cat]

I love these stories!

[cloedoll]

Awe, too cute! Keep them coming :D

[cheval]

Thanks! They are a lot of fun. And based on actual interactions between us. The next Chapter is the loss of his best friend Shorty and just haven't been able to do that one yet.

[cloedoll]

That's what I think I love most, these are all real stories of you and Solon twisted into your own little world!

I'm still very sorry about Shorty...I know how much he meant to Solon and you...((hugs))

RIP Shorty :(

[Lakota's Pet]

Cheval, I love your stories abot Solon. It reminds me of my sisters belgian and what a comedian he is. Every time I read or hear about aomeone else's interactions with their horses, it's hard to believe how human some of them can be. I have to get to my dad's, he has a mini Solon. He's an all black perch/TB, that is about 16.3 and weighs about 1400 lbs. When I saw the pictures of Solon all I could think of was Willy, just bigger. I will have to get some pics for you.