Micah noticed the curious look Engel was giving him. "If you wait here I'll go see if there is a tack store. The town isn't far from here and from what I hear there is a race track as well. Perhaps we can see what you can really do." he told the stallion, grinning.

Engel listened carefully, trying to pick up words he knew. There weren't any. Well, except for "stay" He knew that. He have a nod, and returned to his grazing. (Bleh...)

Micah gave the horse a small wave before he took off in the direction of the town. It took him less time than he thought to reach the town. It wasn't hard to locate a tack store and he was able to purchase what he needed at a reasonable price. It wasn't long before he reached the tree line again. He set the saddle and bridle on the ground and held the halter and lead rope out so that Engel could see them.

Engel had watched Micah leave, and kept looking nervously around until he'd come back. For some reason, he didn't feel safe when the boy had left. He snorted when Micah lifted the new items, and stared at the warily. He walked forward, and snuffed at them, only to pull away. He didn't like the look of them. He gave Micah the look that everyone knew. The 'Really? Do I have to' Kind of look when parent tells their child to eat their broccoli. He snorted, and also stared at the other objects one the ground. He didn't like the looks of them, either.

Micah reached forward and rubbed Engel's muzzle. "It won't hurt you. It may feel uncomfortable for a while, but it shouldn't cause you pain. I just don't want anyone trying to catch you if they think you are wild." he tried to explain to the stallion.

Engel sniffed at it again. He didn't like the sound of being taken away from his boy. He stepped back and stood, staring at the halter. He could get used to it. It didn't actually sound so bad, having the thing on his face. He nickered, and nudged the object. He'd give it a try. He wondered what would happen once they got into town. What if the halter was impossible for him to wear? He didn't want to be forced to go with other men, when he already had a boy to call his own. (<--LOL. Engel thinks that he owns Micah xD)

Micah smiled when Engel nudged the halter and reached forward to rub his forehead as he slipped it up and over the stallion's ears. He fastened the buckle and let the lead rope drag on the ground. "Now for the saddle." he told him as he walked over and picked it up off the ground, along with a saddle blanket. He had purchased an English saddle so that Engel wouldn't be burdened by the weight of a western saddle. He gently placed the blanket on his back before carefully setting the saddle on top of it.

Engel bobbed his head once the halter was attached to him. His head raised more once the saddle blnket settled upon his back, and then squealed once the saddle landed on him as well. He didn't like the feel of it at all.It didn't feel just right. Not that the weight was a problem, it was the way it seemed to wrap around him, and that made him feel trapped, and he felt, somehow, that he was back in the net that had dropped him. He stepped away from Micah, the whites of his eyes beginning to show. Why? Why would his boy trap him? Why would he put the torturous thing on his back? The halter itself was fine, as he couldn't really feel it, and the saddle pad had been fine, but the saddle...Oh the saddle...

Micah had been watching for Engel's reaction and the moment he stepped away from him, he quickly pulled the saddle off of his back. "Easy boy. It's alright. See it didn't hurt you did it? It's only a little scary at first, but it comes right off." he spoke to the stallion as he set the saddle in the ground.

Engel calmed once the saddle was removed. He returned to his spot next to Micah, but his eyes swam with hurt. He couldn't believe his boy would do that. His ears perked a little, as the had been flattened against his skull. He sniffed at the saddle. He didn't like the smell, either. He stuck his tongue out, to show his dislike of the evil beastie thingamabobber.

Micah saw the look in Engel's eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, but nearly all horses that have riders wear saddles. I just don't want anyone harming you or trying to ride you themselves." he told him, reaching forward to rub his neck.

Engel leaned into the boys hand, and Micah was instantly forgiven. He'd try the saddle out, but, if he really hated it, Micah would have to do without. He nickered, and nudged at the saddle, just like he'd done with the halter. He then nudged his boy, and a horsey smile played at his lips. There was a deep kindness there in Engel, something he hadn't known he had. A strange love also,love for the boy. His little...pet, if you will.

Micah couldn't help a small grin as he watched the stallion nudge the saddle. "Good boy." he murmured as he lifted it back up and placed it on his back. He didn't tighten the strap. He didn't want to scare Engel again.

Engel still didn't like it, but he was much more comfortable when it wasn't strapped to him. He whinnied, and it was without reason. He nudged Micah again, with a smile in his eyes. He felt bad for seeming to be mean to Micah, even if the boy didn't realize. He nuzzled him, and snuffled at his hair trying to make up for it.

Micah chuckled softly and patted Engel on his shoulder. "Is it alright if I tighten the strap?" he asked the stallion.

Engel shook his had. The strap made him feel trapped. Well...He'd try it out again, and see if it really bothered him that much. He gave a nod, and nudged Micah again.

Micah reached out and tightened the strap a little, but not enough to pull it tight around him. He wanted Engel to get used to the feeling of the strap on his belly.

Engel didn't like the feeling of the strap. In fact, he hated it. He turned, and tried pulling on the strap, trying to get it to release him. It still made him feel trapped, even with how loose it his. He snorted, and looked pleadingly at Micah.

Micah sighed and looked the stallion in the eyes. "Sometimes we have to do things we don't like and sometimes we'll never like doing what we have to, but sometimes we learn to live with it and it isn't as bad as we first thought." he told Engel. He didn't know if the horse understood him or not, but for Engel's safety he wanted him to get used to the saddle.

Engel visibly seemed to "deflate" He'd understood what Micah said, but the saddle scared him. He nickered sadly. He felt like he'd let his boy down. He nuzzled Micah gently, before lowering his head. He'd try to deal with the horrible form of torture, just for the sake of his boy. (Awww *sniffle, tear wipe*)

Micah ran a hand through his hair at the look in Engel's eyes. "I'm sorry. I know it's scary boy, but it won't be after awhile. There were plenty of things that have and still do scare me. One thing is losing you to one of the people in that town. Not everyone is nice enough to just leave you alone." he told him, rubbing his neck.

Engel understood. He'd decided to accept the saddle, but only because he didn't want to be torn from his boy. He licked the boy's face, a bit surprised at the action. He nickered, and rubbed his head gently against Micah. He turned, so the boy could tighten the strap.

Micah smiled softly and scratched Engel's withers before pulling the strap tight enough it wouldn't slip. He moved to stand in front of the stallion and rubbed his forehead gently. "Good boy." he murmured. "Are you ready for the bridle?" he asked. He had bought a bridle without a bit so that it would be easier for him.

Engel bobbed his head in the form of a nod. He'd "take" it, only because he didn't have a choice. The saddle still made him feel very uncomfortable, but he tried to ignore it. (Bleh...)

Micah watched him carefully as he pulled the halter off and picked up the bridle. He slipped it up over his nose and ears, tightening the strap under Engel's jaw. He let the reins hang to the ground as he put the halter in his bag and threw the bag's strap over his shoulders. He moved to the stallion's side and collected the reins before preparing to put his foot in the stirrups. "Ready?" he asked.