[MUSIC PLAYING]
All right, let's see what I can do.
NARRATOR: 1,500 miles South, the Browns Mountain
has also received its first snowfall of the season.
I just got to dig it out and then smooth it over.
NARRATOR: And while the restoration of the ranch
continues--
NARRATOR: --brother Noah tends to North
Star's newest addition.
This guy is Prometheus.
He's 16 hands and growing.
He is the second stallion on the ranch.
Well, I guess the only stallion on the ranch
right now, because he's the only horse up here.
When the fire happened, we were actually on our way
to go pick up Prometheus.
He's two years old.
He's estimated to come out as 18 hands.
He's massive, he's sleek, he's beautiful.
Back in the day, he would have been the perfect Knights
Templar horse.
I am obsessed with ancient times,
so for me, this guy is going to be my war horse.
I'm gonna train him the old style--
horseback archery, jousting, the whole bit.
I wanted to do a week with him, so I've actually moved in.
Built a little shelter, and I'm staying here
camping in the Serena with him for a week.
I think I was seven when dad and I
discussed how horses were actually
used in medieval times.
It's why I want it, and I've been
obsessed for war horses, and Knights Templars,
and all of that.
I can definitely see myself sitting on top of him
with the reins in my teeth while firing arrows.
So this is actually the first stage training Prometheus
to be tolerant to weapons.
I'm going to start with the sword.
The key is letting him get used to it slowly.
Completely safe.
Can't hurt you at all.
[WHINNIES]
Next step, for the bow, set up the target.
Getting my arrows, see how we reacts to one hitting it.
I'm sure that to a lot of people I'm doing everything wrong.
Not even a flinch.
Good boy, Prometheus!
I could put the saddle on him first.
That is a very invasive thing.
So instead, start with the weapons,
because it isn't touching him.
Basically the plan is that in the weeks' time,
I'll be able to get enough bonding time with him
that would give normal people years,
and my goal is to ride him.
He's actually only experienced snow since he got here,
so I'm gonna take it easy with him
and teach him how to run and walk on snow and ice.
I think the fire affected everyone differently,
but it did affect everyone, even me.
Come on.
I guess in a way my week with Prometheus
is like Bear, Bird and Rain's week in Alaska.
I was just kind of-- to get back to center, back to good.
My family deserved the best me possible.
I haven't been the best me possible.
You ready?
[WHINNIES]
Nice and slow.
There you go.
Today is going to be the first day that Prometheus
has ever had a saddle on him.
So I'm going to put it on him, I'm
going to walk him around in a couple of circles,
take it off, brush him out.
Depending on the horse, saddle training can be difficult.
Think of it-- a horse in a natural setting, the only time
something is on its back is when it
is a wolf or a mountain lion jumping
on its back to try to eat it.
So it's one of those things we need to steadily work into,
but I'm definitely confident that I'll be able to get
on his back in my week.
There.
How's that?
Is that better? [SNORTS]
Whoa.
Every day is a struggle with a beast like Prometheus.
One of the big things that I want
to get across to that horse is utter confidence around him.
Let's go for a walk.
Watch where you're stepping.
Don't nip me.
Let's go faster.
Come on!
Yeah.
[WHINNIES]
Hey!
Whoa.
If he starts to buck with the saddle on, that's bad.
So the idea is to stop him verbally,
so that if he tries to do it why I'm on him,
he will stop verbally.
Come on.
Hey, no bucking.
[WHINNIES]
Stop.
It doesn't matter if training gets difficult.
We all have bad days--
horses are no different.
Quit chewing on things.
That doesn't mean I'm going to give up.
I haven't given up when the mountain burned.
I'm not going to give up if a horse gets a little stubborn.
You want a head hug?
[WHINNIES]
I know.
Hey.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[SNORTS]
Training is going really well, but now it's getting cold,
so I need to get his blanket back
on him before the temperature drops too bad.
NARRATOR: Back on North Star Ranch,
Noah hunkers down to endure his second freezing
night with Prometheus.
On tonight's menu, some canned meat with some seasoned
tomatoes.
It might be a little bit difficult
to be away from my family, but this week
is good for Prometheus and for myself.
Working with Prometheus is very different
from working with robots, and making
zapper hats and arms saws.
Prometheus is a living creature.
In essence, I could learn a lot from my time with him
about how to treat people.
If I treated people more like horses, maybe
they'd like me better.
If I can finish out this week and achieve my goals,
at least a piece of that will transition
to the rest of my life.
It kind of took a horse to show me how I should be as a human.
While that warms up and simmers, I think I'll finish
taking care of the horse.
Coming, buddy.
Ride him yet?
He's actually never been ridden.
Hand me that saddle.
[LAUGHS]
You know, when it comes to horses, I'm the guy to call.
You know, North Star Ranch's expert horse whisperer.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
But Diego is a very different story than Prometheus.
Ah, this is your tent.
Prometheus, a wild stallion!
Noah definitely has his work cut out for him.
Whoa.
I would say let him walk around a little
and then put him up.
I got him.
Just trying to get him used to the pressure.
No nippins.
Back.
[WHINNIES]
Don't try to push him too far in one day.
[WHINNIES]
Hey!
Whoa!
He's not seeming to like a lot of things you're doing.
I've got this.
I noticed.
It's not going as smooth as I think Noah wanted.
He didn't just hop on there and they're
riding around like the cover of some kind of romantic comedy,
you know?
Stand.
Whoa.
You sure you want to try to ride him?
No.
Prometheus doesn't want to be ridden today,
and he just does not want me to get on his back.
But I'm not going to give up.
How can I teach him about trusting
me if I do not trust him to tell me
when he's ready to be ridden?
I just need to treat people more like horses.
[LAUGHS]
Do I get a sugar cube?
Uh-huh. (WHISPERS) Shh, it's OK.
It's OK.
I'm going to saddle up Prometheus
and I'm going to try to ride him.
Yesterday he was ornery as heck.
He was not having it.
But today he's different.
All I'm shooting for is to leave him tied, that way he can't
buck and freak out too much.
So let's do this.
This is my last day.
This is it.
If he doesn't want to be saddled, he doesn't have to be.
It's up to him.
If he's ready, then he'll tell me.
I did it.
I'm super excited.
I'm the first person that has ever sat on top of that horse.
That was my main goal this week, and I achieved it.
That feeling, being able to sit there
and just relax in the saddle, that feeling is just superb.
Hoo!
We did it.
[NICKERS]
This is not just a horse, this is a war horse.
That's all, folks.