[PHASE #2] A BIT OF FRESH AIR

“Well first thing first, the stall issue is not something I can just fix overnight I’m afraid, though I wish I could. The best way to help her in this scenario would be to give her all the open space she wants so she can be comfortable and move freely from her stall to outside whenever she desires. I know the perfect spot! I’ll put her in the end stall so she can have that little outside area all to herself”

Jason came out the next day to see how the little mare had adjusted to her new little paddock, little did he know she was more active than ever! Running around, trotting up and down the fence like a little filly. Although she was still very hesitant to enter her stall, Jason would feed her grain just right outside the door every night, slowly moving it closer in until she would go through the door opening freely on her own.

“There you go girly! See in here isn’t so bad now is it? Nice bedding and a roof over your head, plus you can still go outside whenever you want to! Hmmm I should really think of a name for you instead of just calling you ‘girl’ everyday, but what would fit? I’ll have to think about it haha!”

Now that one issue had been fixed, he still had to worry about the next. While most of the barn cats are pretty cautious to their surroundings not to get hurt, Jason had to start introducing at least one of them to the mare so she would stop being so overly aggressive to all the small animals around her.

“Lets see…who would like to be my little helper with this task?”

The fluffy cat known as Miss Whiskers happily prances over. 

“Ah there’s my little love bug! Lets go make a new friend shall we kitty cat?”

Every morning and night Jason would bring good old Whiskers with him to feed the horses and she loved every second of it. The mare? Not so much, but slowly she started to get calm and curious when Whiskers was brought over. She wanted to know what exactly this creature was.

“Now see, kitties aren’t so bad now are they girly? Haha there I am again calling you girl. Hmm I’ve been thinking of your name! You are always so sassy and moody *typical*, but you remind me of a tiger almost! So what about Tigress or Tigerlily? I think either of those would suit you quite well”

Soon the mare would let the barn cats get near her stall door or let them sit on the fence outside without lunging or biting at them. She actually became quite curious with the furry creatures! The mare would be seen following the cats around wherever she could, and good old Miss Whiskers would always be there to say hello. Whiskers even found a new favorite place to stretch which is right on top of the mares stall door to see her horse friend. After time the mare even becomes not so aggressive to the wildlife as well! Letting deer walk past without chasing them, or letting small squirrels and chipmunks run along the fence of her paddock. The occasional bunny still startles her but that wouldn’t surprise me with any horse in this barn.

“So Tiger, you up for a trail ride tomorrow? See how well you do with all sorts of animals around you haha. Ah don’t worry, I won’t make you go anywhere you aren’t comfortable with my little skittish friend. Maybe you’ll meet a new little forest friend you never know!”