True to AJ’s word Stone Mane found that the Apple family started their day early in my Equestria dreamscape. Celestia’s sun was just starting to turn the eastern sky a pinkish orange when the colt was stirred from his bed and started the day.
There was an initial round of chores that were completed before breakfast was ready. The foals were finishing up feeding the chickens when from the house they could hear Granny Smith ringing the meal bell calling the family to the table. The matriarch had risen a couple of hours before any other pony and now the first meal of the day was ready.
The main course was a huge egg casserole. Mixed into the beaten eggs was finely diced onions, fresh sage, sliced mushrooms, ground black pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. A big skillet of sizzling cottage fries was served as a side dish. Much to Stone Mane’s surprise everypony drank coffee at breakfast, even Applebloom. This was different for the colt since in both his parent’s and now his aunt and uncle’s household coffee wasn’t usually served to foals.
“She normally just has it fer breakfast.” Said AJ as she refilled her mug and stirred in some more cream. “Since we’re all up and going befer the sun rises it helps Applebloom and all of us git a going. Especially if she has school that day!”
With breakfast was consumed the foals helped Granny Smith with the dishes. Once that was done they started on the second half of the morning chores. Things went well and by 10 in the morning Applebloom officially declared that the routine morning chores were over. She then wandered off to find Applejack and see if there was anything else that needed doing. In the meantime Granny had the colt fetch some items from the barn.
The colt was returning with a bucket when Big Macintosh caught up with him. As seemed to be typical for the stallion he was wearing a heavy work harness. The stallion smiled at the colt.
“So. Stone Mane. Applebloom say yer on yer school’s hoofball team. That true?”
The colt set down the bucket he was carrying in his mouth. “Yep! Sure is!”
“What are ya on the team?” Asked the stallion.
“I play Secondary Field Breaker and Lead Deflector.” Said the colt.
Big Mac arched an eyebrow. “Yer a Field Breaker. That was my team position in my day. Having any trouble with bigger ponies gitting in yer way on the field?”
The colt rubbed the back of his head with a front hoof. “Sometimes, but I’ve been a working out so I’ll be stronger this fall.”
The red stallion lifted his head. “Working out ya say. Ya wanna know what.” The red stallion flexed his bulging front leg muscles for a moment. “I did ta git be the best and strongest Breaker in my school?”
“Sure!” Said the colt.
Big Macintosh grinned. “Ya ever pulled a plow befer?”
Applebloom looked around the barnyard She’d left Stone Mane here awhile ago but the colt was nowhere in sight. Following some sounds she heard the filly went to investigate.
“Hey Stone Mane ya in h…..” The filly’s voice tapered off and she came to a halt. Standing there in the barn was the colt wearing smaller version of the harness Big Mac was wearing.
Big Mac grinned at his little sister. “Hey there Little Bloom! Guess what! Stone Mane here is gonna be gitting some on the job training taday! He’s gonna learn how ta pull a plow.”
Applebloom just stood there silently with her eyes locked on the colt.

To be continued.