Sandy took another step closer. "Let me be clear. I am not saying that what he did was okay. It absolutely isn't, and it will be up to Gabe to make this right, but you need to understand, that colt over there is terribly damaged. We have reason to believe that he was stolen from his real family at a very young age and raised by non-ponies, possibly in captivity. He avoids appearing like a foal at any cost and is terrified of loud noises. If he lashed out, I believe it's because it was instinctive, borne from a demanding, violent life. I assure you, Rich, that his actions, however intense, were in self-defense and were not intentionally cruel."