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Routine — Description
Ugh... yeah.. no shading. I kinda liked it with no shading until I got to the bg, and yeah, that ruined it. They're stood at the end of one of the stable blocks, and that's the mare barn looming up in the background.

Penny was covered by ~xLadySadiex 's Corinthian while he was staying here at FLS. I have the beginnings of the foal picture well under way, but I had to draw something about the breeding before the foal haha.

So here's Penny. Pregnant.

Story
Lady Penelope had swollen up like a balloon in the last month of her pregnancy. Zoe was amazed by the large, round belly that had appeared, and was starting to believe the foal would take after its father, and be a big horse. Zoe ran a brush over the mare's swollen stomach, her fingers pausing for a moment to run over the spot where the foal was curled up inside her. She couldn't wait to meet the little bundle. A grin spread across her face and she glanced at the mare's face, her eyes closed as she snoozed in the warmth of the stable. As well as getting huge, Penny had also gotten lazy. She barely wanted to go for her walks, and could really only manage a sedate waddle now. She was set to pop at any time, and Zoe was glad that Lee had returned from America for the occasion. He was only back for two or three weeks, but it was a comfort to know he'd be there to help. Of course she had barely seen him, because Amber had been taking up most of his time, but he was there and that was all that mattered.

The late spring air was warm but fresh as Zoe led Penny out of her stable and onto the yard. The new system was to keep pregnant mares in the brick stable blocks, which were quieter and more soothing for the mares. Penny perked her ears up as she spotted the tall man at the end of the stable block, but her attention was more focused on the big red bucket he was holding. The mare didn't like being touched all over, so Lee had been wise enough to bring a distraction. He grinned and dropped in on the floor, and she greedily shoved her nose into the nutritious meal. "It'll do your baby good, sweety," he muttered as he surveyed her. "Looks like her legs have swollen again," he said with a sigh, running a hand over her stiff back legs. Penny appeared to have a swelling problem when she carried weight and didn't get around much. Zoe nodded and held the lead rope, watching quietly.
"I've been trying to walk her, but she just kinda waddles," she chuckled. Lee grinned and nodded, picking up each hoof individually to check for any problems and then checking her neck and listening to her breathing.
"Well, no sign of illness, breathing and heart rate is good, I'll just take her temperature." The mare seemed to hear the word and pinned her ears back, giving a small squeal as the man approached wearing gloves and armed with a thermometer. Zoe held onto her and within a minute or two the event was over, and Penny hastily went back to her meal. Lee nodded and smiled. "All good. Any movement yet?" Zoe nodded and grinned.
"Yeah, the foal's gonna be an energetic one," she said with a laugh, patting Penny's neck. She watched as the vet ran his hands over the taught belly and then under to the udder.
"Yeah, she'll drop in the few weeks, as planned, really," he said softly, feeling the udder swollen with milk. "Good job, too. Just before I head back." He pulled off his gloves and ran his hands over the mare's belly again, feeling for movement. Zoe sighed and fiddled with the lead rope.
"How long are you gone for?" She asked quietly. He didn't seem to see the look on her face because he went about packing his kit up with a small grin on his face.
"Oh, a few months. Somesmera want me to help with a few of their foals, but our foals are coming later, so I'll be back for that. Got the show, too." He straightened up from packing his stuff away and looked at Penny, who was inspecting her belly as if he had tampered with it. "I'll be back mid to late summer, in time for Myth, Sonnet and Goldie foaling." He glanced to Zoe and saw her weak smile, a frown crossing his face. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing," she said with a sigh, walking Penny on. "I'm going to take her into the foal pasture, let her walk around a bit." Lee watched her leave with the mare, Penny's belly rolling from side to side as she ambled across the yard. Zoe had been acting strange for a while now, and had not taken to Amber as well as he had wished. As he picked the bucket up from the floor, the blonde Australian came bounding around the corner, a broad grin on her face.
"Oh Lee! You've gotta come look! Aithne's taught me how to perform the courbette on Taffy, it's amazing," she gabbled as she grabbed his hand and dragged him away. He glanced over his shoulder at Zoe, who was strolling around with Penny, clearly in another world. He guessed it was just something happening with her life at home.

Characters & Image © =mapal
Amber © =belle980

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