Take Flight Little Bird | Norak WB Foster Pt. 4 & 5

I put part 4 and 5 into one, because they are close enough together in the timeline and that way I only had to do 2 posts tonight instead of 3.

Part 4 satisfies the meeting a friend prompt, and part 5 is the getting better prompt.

Word Count: 506

#NorakWBRescues

Physically and mentally Sparrow had improved leaps and bounds. She was finally filling out now that she could eat more normally, or as normal as she would get, and she was finally sound. With everything on the up and up, the staff decided it was time to see who she could get along with so she could get out into a herd and just be a horse for a while.

They could have started with their usual go-to, Vali, but he was busy being a babysitter, so they started with the other mares. They settled on Raja, as the mare was quiet enough, but also still confident and seemed somewhat of a mediator in the pasture. That decided, they first let Sparrow out into the outdoor arena, allowing her time to explore and get comfortable before they brought Raja over.

Raja was stalled across from Sparrow, so the fenceline introduction was uneventful. Both mares were curious but also respectful. Confident that there was a low chance of any dangerous dramatics, they brought Raja in, keeping both mares on leads. When both mares remained calm, cool, and collected, both were let go. Raja decided to take this opportunity to do a couple of laps around the arena. Sparrow was initially startled but followed her at a distance after she got over her initial shock.

The red mare stopped short in the center of the arena, watching as Sparrow came over to approach her. Sparrow’s confidence seemed to be waning slightly, but she continued. They stared at each other for a moment before closing the distance and sniffing each other. There was one squeal from Raja, but that was the only drama before both took off again, chasing each other in a playful manner.

“Well that went much better than I thought it would,” Chantelle commented, watching as her mare led the charge, with her larger strides. Sparrow seemed to have no problem keeping up.

“It’s amazing how much Sparrow has come out of her shell,” Mike added, a smile on his face as he watched the pair. They watched for a while longer before both mares settled down again and they decided it was time to return the pair to their stalls. They would try again tomorrow with the other mares in that pasture.

Before Sparrow was put back in her stall for the night, they decided to take her portrait. To have an official after-image to compare the mare’s recovery. Morgan came out to the barn with a camera and snapped a photo after Mike had her posed.

They had the edited print within the week and Mike whistled at the difference when he held the image up next to the one from her arrival. “It doesn’t even look like the same horse.” He pinned the new image to his desk above his computer. Attaching a digital copy to a message, he sent a quick thank you to his team at the clinic that made her transformation possible.