Amy leaned against the fence and watched the mustangs trotting around the pen, ears flat. Jimmy was to her left and Sue at her right. Sarah was arguing with her aunt, who worked for the BLM. Sue sighed. Jimmy looked at her with a warning glance. “If you are thinking about buying ALL of these you better forget it,” he warned. Sue grinned at him.

“Don’t worry. I’ve learned my lesson a thousand times over. I am NOT going to suggest it. They ALL need help. There isn’t one in particular that REALLY needs help,” she said, tilting her head. The beautiful multi colored mustangs ran circles around their pen, nickering and snorting. “Come on; let’s go look at the band they just brought in. I’ve been watching them for almost a year. I had hoped they’d never be caught but….”

Sarah walked up to the group, her aunt close behind her. “The stallion is amazing. Sarah calls him Nightwing.” Her aunt squeezed her shoulder. Sarah shrugged her off and led the way to a pen where a proud, shimmering black stallion was circling a group of seven mares and three foals nervously. He flattened his ears at the approaching kids.

“WOW! Look at that Blue Roan!” Sue gasped, wanting to run up to the pen. But that would spook the horses.

Jimmy whistled. “Nightwing sure is amazing. But look at that colt over there! He’s got a fire inside of him.” He nodded to a six month old foal who was prancing around, tail in the air. He turned towards the humans and charged the fence, in an attempt to look tough and strong. Jimmy laughed when the foal slid to a stop and nickered in a sad tone, as if he was disappointed that the humans weren’t afraid.

“That is Smoke,” Sarah commented, nodding to the young colt.

“So when did you find the time to watch this herd?” Amy asked, hands on hips. Sarah shrugged.

“I’d just come out here about once a week and walk or bike or even ride one of our horses that we were training and search until I found them. Nightwing doesn’t really mind me. Well he didn’t used to,” she added sadly. The stallion’s flat ears and pawing of the ground made them all realize he was angry.

“Half of these are going to be re-homed and the other half will be released,” Sarah’s aunt said gently. Sarah looked up at her.

“You HAVE to release Nightwing!” she hissed. Her aunt shook her head.

“I’m sorry. They’ve decided to re-home him. He’s a beautiful stallion. He’ll only go to a good home, I promise.” She tried to put a hand on Sarah’s shoulder, but her angry glare kept her aunt away.

“Which one do you like, Amy?” Sue asked, glancing at the blue roan with admiration. Amy surveyed the crowd of horses.

“That one.” Amy pointed to a mare that would have been chestnut except for the patches of grey and the white flecks all through her coat. The mare’s silver and black mane was stunningly beautiful.

“They are all amazing,” Sarah said, her voice thick with emotion. “Missy, if no one adopts them, what happens to them? Will you release them?” she asked her aunt. She usually called her Aunt Missy, but she was too angry to recognize their relationship.

“No honey. We have to….uh……” Missy bit her lip. Hot tears ran down Sarah’s cheeks.

“No! But….they will get adopted…right?” she asked hopefully.

“They are beautiful,” Sue added. Missy shrugged.

“They are beautiful, amazing, powerful, rare, but they can’t be trusted. They are wild and most people won’t go for that. The ones that get adopted are usually the gentler ones or the most beautiful. If they were a bit tamer I’d say they’d be adopted in a heartbeat. They still might get a good home. I suggested paying for someone to train them but we don’t have the spare money.” She looked away as a van pulled up into the parking lot. “Excuse me.” She hurried away.

Jimmy eyed Sue and sure enough that gleam, that spark, that tell-tale look in her eye was beginning to show. “Sue,” he began. She looked at him.

“I’m just thinking about how beautiful they are,” she insisted, almost sadly. Sarah balled her fists.

“We are helping them. We can do it. If the BLM won’t pay someone to train them, we’ll do it for free! All we’ll ask in return is that they pay for the food and vet bills, which they’d do anyway. All they really have to do is drive them a few miles to our barn. It could work. It wouldn’t cost us anything! Just time, which we have TONS of with school being out.” She looked at Sue for support. Jimmy turned his attention back to Sue, waiting for the explosion of argument.

“We can’t take all of them! We only have five stalls in the barn,” he said, his eyes daring Sue to protest.

“But we’ll only take four at a time. One for each of us to work with!” Amy spoke up. Jimmy turned around in surprise and looked at the usually quiet Amy.

“It will work!” Sarah insisted.

“But we don’t want them to become a one-person-horse so once someone has gained their trust and started training them to lead, then we’ll swap horses,” Sue put in.

Jimmy thought for a moment. “You know what? For the first time I agree with you all. Let’s save some mustangs!”

They all put their hands together. “ALPHA SQUAD!” they shouted as one.

“I’ll go talk to Aunt Missy,” Sarah called, running away. Sue raised an eyebrow at her friends.

“Aunt Missy?” she asked. Amy giggled.

“Sarah IS in a good mood now.” Jimmy shook his head, a grin on his face. “Well, it is about time she stops being cranky.”

* * * * * * * * * *

A few days later all the arrangements were made. The four were preparing stalls for the horses, although they were sure they’d prefer the pasture. But they still wanted to bring them in at night. They would use the fenced off area in Jimmy’s backyard. It was smaller than the pasture that took up Amy and Sarah’s yard and would make catching the horses easier. They had all planned on which mustangs they were bringing in first. Smoke, Nightwing, the Blue Roan, and the one Amy liked. They were all buzzing with excitement.

Amy climbed the ladder to the hay loft to get some hay for the pasture. Suddenly Amy screamed. Sue and Jimmy went running. “What?” Sue demanded.

“I saw a mouse!” Amy stammered.

“A mouse? In our barn?” Jimmy and Sue exchanged worried glances.

“That is B.A.D!” Sue bit her lip. The honking of a horn and Sarah’s call told them the mustangs had arrived. “Great! One thing after another. Listen Amy, go help unload the horses. I’ll try to get the mouse out of here. You NEVER just have ONE mouse for long,” Sue said, getting on her hands and knees. She crawled around looking through piles of hay. Jimmy and Sarah shrugged and went back down the ladder.

Sue finally gave up. “We’ll just have to get a cat or something,” she muttered, grabbing a small bale of hay and jumping down the ladder.

Sue headed towards the pasture. The trailer was backing up into it, the gate open. She hurried up and ran in front of the truck just before it blocked the entrance. She scattered hay all over then jumped out again just as Jimmy and Amy opened the door. Four mustangs galloped out of the trailer, wide eyed and fearful. They screamed in fear. The truck pulled away and Sarah slammed the gate closed quickly. They watched the stallion circle the enclosure then gather up the tiny herd, the Blue Roan, the grey colt, and the chestnut and grey mare.

“Nightwing looks so afraid,” Sarah gasped, as if she had been stabbed by a knife. She held her stomach tightly, biting her lip. “Poor thing!” She looked so sad Sue knew she wanted only to run to the stallion and hug him.

“Smoke looks lively.” Jimmy grinned. The foal was bucking and rearing with glee, unlike the fearful mares and stallion.

“What shall we call the mares?” Sue asked, tilting her head to stare at them.

“I am naming the chestnut and grey Jane,” Amy said quietly. Sue thought for a moment.

“What do you all think of Blue Bell for the mare?” she asked. Everyone nodded in agreement. “Okay, we’ll let them settle in today and we’ll begin bonding tomorrow. Sound good?” she asked.

Jimmy looked at her and grinned. “Okay, first person to get their horse leading on a line like a pro wins. Whoever loses has to do ALL the poop scooping and bagging for the Poop Paper Company.” Amy was about to disagree, saying it was not a contest and they shouldn’t try to rush themselves and the horses, but Sue’s competitive side broke through.

“Deal!” she growled, grabbing his hand and shaking it viciously. He looked at Sarah and Amy.

“Deal?” he asked.

Sarah nodded absently and Amy, not wanting to be called a party pooper AGAIN, shrugged and smiled. “Why not?”

* * * * * * * * * *

Sarah yawned and stretched, her lap top wobbled on her lap. “You should go to bed,” her mother called from the kitchen. Sarah blinked.

“No I can’t,” she said, leaning close to her screen. She was researching different methods of taming a mustang. She knew how much harder it would be to tame a stallion! Nightwing was her project and she wanted to be ready for it.

She looked at the clock on her computer. 11:30pm. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and began searching again. She had to be sure of what she was doing.

She began reading quietly to herself, muttering as she went. She had read things about calming the horse, gaining trust, and now she was reading about something called join-up. “This might be good.” She clicked on a link and immediately a movie popped up of a person doing join up with their horse. The man was explaining every step. “…make him think it was my idea that he runs…” the man said over and over and over. Sarah felt her eyelids begin to drop.

Suddenly the phone rang. She was startled awake. Grabbing it, she juggled her computer around. “Hello?” she asked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Amy?” She looked up in time to see her mother’s disapproving scowl and tap of her watch. Sarah waved her mother away. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing…yeah…that stallion? Better give him the bigger one. We don’t want him to be aggressive. Jimmy will? That’s nice.” She blew through her lips. “I have to go Amy. Mom’s giving me that whole ‘bed time’ look that she used when I was five. Yeah, bye.” Sarah hung up the phone and closed her computer. “Alright mom, I’m going,” she promised, climbing up the stairs.

* * * * * * * * * *

The day began with such promise. Sarah awoke to her alarm buzzing. It was six in the morning. Perfect. She opened her window to enjoy the fresh air as she gathered up her things for a quick shower. By the time she had eaten and gotten dressed it was seven. She hurried down to the barn, her hair still damp. The sun began to shine stronger though, so she wasn’t cold.

To her surprise, Nightwing was alone in the big pasture. She squinted to see that at the very edge of Jimmy’s backyard a smaller pen had been set up where Blue Bell was circling nervously. Smoke was kicking up his heels with glee in the normal pasture they had made in Jimmy’s backyard, and towards the woods Jane was in a small enclosure. The horses were far from each other’s sight and sound, but they could smell each other.

“Took a lot of work.” Jimmy came out of the barn, wiping his hands. He was covered in dirt.

“But we did fine,” Sue added from behind him.

“Amy went to shower. Where were you? Didn’t Amy tell you we were all getting up early to build the horses separate enclosures?” Jimmy crossed his arms.

“No. She just suggested the idea. I had to hang up. My mom was kind of….anxious for me to go to bed,” Sarah said defensively.

“It’s fine.” Sue flicked her eyes over to Jimmy’s slightly angered face.

“We still have that bet right?” Sarah tried to change the subject.

“For sure.” Jimmy nodded, rushing off to Smoke’s enclosure. Sue headed for Blue Bell. Once they were minding their own business, Sarah trotted over to Nightwing’s pasture.

The stallion tossed his head and snorted, cantering away from her. Sarah shrugged and sat down in the grass, watching him move. He was powerful, and beautiful, and wonderful. She felt like reaching out and touching him, and yet she wished she could give him back his freedom. He deserved it. He was like a majestic King taken from his throne. She felt so bad for him.

Nightwing paced the pasture, his gait never faltering from a steady canter. His muscles rippled under his skin. Sarah sighed. Was this what falling in love felt like? She hugged her knees close to her chest. The way he moved, so beautiful! Was she really trying to TAME him? She shook her head. It didn’t seem right. So maybe she should think of it as befriending him?

She stood slowly and moved towards him. Nightwing tossed his mane. What would make him accept her? She blew gently through her nostrils, mimicking the way horses greeted each other. Nightwing slowed to a trot and stared at her cautiously. Sarah took a step towards him. Nightwing stopped dead in his tracks and stood still, tall and proud he seemed to dare her to make him submit. She blinked gently. He blinked back. She hummed a soft, sweet song. He flicked his ears in her direction. His eyes held curiosity and a hint of fear.

Sarah thought hard. How could she make him understand she was alright? She didn’t want to seem threatening. She slowly sat down. Nightwing tossed his head, but otherwise stood still. Sarah just sat there, humming gently. As an hour passed she began to feel stiff, but she refused to move. Nightwing was trotting around, grazing, keeping a weary eye on her. When she’d look at him for too long he’d bolt, eyes wide in fear. She didn’t feel like she was getting ANYWHERE. In fact, she felt stupid sitting in the dirt humming to a mustang who could care less about ‘twinkle twinkle little star’. But she was devoted to him.

She sat still, watching him move. She was transfixed with awe. He was the most beautiful stallion. His body was so black, shining and shimmering in places. His whole coat seemed glossy and sparkling, like he came from the stars. His mane was long but not out of control and his face was so full of pride. The way he carried himself, anyone could have guessed he was a leader. Sarah bit her lip. He’d have to become a partner. Not lead, not follow, working together with a rider.

* * * * * * * * * *

When noon came around Jimmy and Amy passed by. “We are going to grab some lunch. Coming?” Jimmy asked in a low tone. Sarah didn’t look up at them. She was looking at the ground, but watching Nightwing out of the corner of her eye. He had his ears flat, glaring at the newcomers. Slowly Sarah shook her head.

“We’ll bring you something,” Amy said quietly. They walked away.

Sarah was curious. Where was Sue? She slowly craned her neck towards Blue Bell’s pasture just in time to see Sue standing up, slowly reaching out her hand to the mare. Blue Bell flattened her ears and bucked, sending Sue leaping out of the way. Sarah felt her heart pounding. She didn’t want to ever cause Nightwing to rear. She wanted his trust and love.

Suddenly she felt hot breath on her neck and a warm muzzle nudging her shoulder. She held her breath as Nightwing sniffed her top to bottom then shook his mane and trotted off as if he was saying ‘she’s nothing special’. Sarah continued humming twinkle twinkle little star. Nightwing kept one ear curved in her direction as he grazed on hay and grass.

Sarah finally got up and left the pasture. She joined her friends in the barn for sandwiches from Subway. “How is it going?” Sarah asked them all.

“It is the FIRST day. Do you expect the horses to trust us already?” Jimmy asked, biting into his sandwich.

“No.” Sarah narrowed her eyes. Why was everyone being so pushy?

“Guys! Look what I got!” Sue walked into the barn with a black and white cat in her arms. The cat purred gently. Sue dropped it and it immediately ran up the ladder. “That is Mudge — she’s our new barn cat. Perfect for our mouse problem,” Sue said triumphantly, plopping down on a hay bale next to Sarah. Sarah broke off half of her foot long sandwich and handed it over to her friend. Sue gratefully smiled.

“I left Blue Bell early to go cat-hunting, but it was worth it. Mudge is wonderful!” she said, her mouth full of sandwich. Sarah licked her lips, took a few bites, then pushed it away.

“I’m going to go see Nightwing.” She picked up an apple from the table and walked out of the barn. Sue continued talking about how wonderful a barn cat was while Jimmy demanded to know where she got it and how much it cost her to buy it. Sarah grinned to herself as she left the barn. Maybe Sue wasn’t done being reckless JUST yet.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sarah set down the apple in the middle of the pasture and backed away, turning her back to Nightwing. The stallion raced around in a circle for a few minutes, then snorted, reared, nickered, did almost anything to get her attention. Sarah ignored him hard as it was. Finally he took the apple, feeling sure that she wouldn’t attack him while he ate. When he was done he trotted off. Sarah turned around to look at him. As soon as she caught sight of him he broke into a gallop.

Sarah wanted to work with him more, but she knew she needed to go to work. She volunteered at the local S.P.C.A during the summer months, walking dogs, playing with cats, feeding, grooming, or just spending time with all the animals. This S.P.C.A even had a horse stable and they allowed Sarah to take the droppings for Alpha Squad’s special way of earning money — selling the droppings to a company that turned them into paper. Sarah hurried to get another shower and change for her job.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next day Jimmy was scratching Smoke’s chin when he heard the loud thumping of hooves. Looking over his shoulder he saw Nightwing trotting away from Sarah. Sarah was holding out her hand to him but he wanted no part of it. Jimmy smiled and patted Smoke’s neck.

The young colt nudged his pockets for treats. “Not today little man. I got this for you.” Jimmy pulled out a small curry comb from his back pocket and began gently rubbing the foal with it. Smoke flattened his ears but he didn’t fight it. After a while he relaxed and enjoyed the grooming. Jimmy grinned. This bet was IN THE BAG!

* * * * * * * * * *

Amy slowly reached out. Jane pulled away with a snort. Amy kept still, her hand still extended. It was fine. Let Jane come to her when she was ready. Jane didn’t move away as she had done the other day. She stood still, eyeing Amy. Amy gently cooed to her. Jane’s eyes were big and intelligent, with a sweet nature to them. Amy was sure she was going to be a very trustworthy mare, once she learned to trust humans. “It’s okay girly,” Amy said gently. Jane flicked her ears and slowly extended her nose, nuzzling Amy’s hand. Amy felt her spirits soar. This bet was IN THE BAG! And better than that, she felt she was beginning to bond with Jane!

* * * * * * * * * *

Sue gasped at Blue Bell’s speed. The mare was a regular thoroughbred! Blue Bell tossed her mane and trotted another circle around Sue, then playfully grabbed at her hair. Sue laughed and chased after Blue Bell. The mare didn’t mind playing with her, but when she tried to touch her she still was weary. It was only day two, so Sue wasn’t discouraged. In fact, she felt that the bet was in the bag.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sarah finally gave up. She took a carrot out of her pocket and dropped it on the ground in front of Nightwing. She then took three steps back and watched. Nightwing tossed his mane, as if to say ‘okay, you may go now’. Sarah didn’t budge. The stallion flattened his ears and pawed the ground but Sarah ignored him. For two hours Nightwing tired to get Sarah to leave and he refused to come closer to eat. But the scent of the carrot finally got the better of him and he moved to lip up the treat, the closest he had been to Sarah while she was watching him. Sarah slowly reached out her hand but she stopped herself from going all the way. Let him come to me, she thought to herself. Nightwing studied her hand for a moment, then trotted off. She sighed. Patience. That is what it took. Still, she was confident that she’d win his trust. Some day!

* * * * * * * * * *

A week later Sarah collapsed on the chair in the barn, covered in dirt. She had tried to touch Nightwing. She had finally gotten him to let her scratch his nose! But it took a LOT of time, effort, and getting kicked in the face by dirt clouds. Mudge crawled onto her lap, dropping a mouse on the floor. Sarah wrinkled her nose. “Mudge! Gross!” She stroked the cat weakly, too tired to pick up the mouse just yet.

A few minutes later Mudge leaped off of her lap, picked up the mouse, and hid underneath a wheelbarrow to eat in peace. Sarah felt a bit sick watching this so she headed for the showers.

When she was done with her shower, she decided to go back to Nightwing. It was only 6:20pm. Her friends were all working late at their jobs. Sarah jogged to the pasture. “Hey boy!” she called out, ducking under the bars. Nightwing snorted and shook his mane. Sarah slowly approached. Nightwing stood still, ears pricked towards her. Sarah gently cupped his chin in her hand and blew into his nostrils, a friendly horsey greeting. Nightwing tossed his bangs out of his eyes and blew through his nose back at her. Sarah grinned from ear to ear. This was finally a start at friendship!

Holding out a carrot, she watched in pleasure as he lipped it up. Sarah reached up to gently stroke his neck but he moved away from her, warning her not to get too overconfident. Sarah walked over to the fence and sat on top of it, humming twinkle twinkle little star. It became a theme song for the stallion, because when she hummed it she noticed he calmed down. Nightwing trotted a bit closer, his ears pointed towards her. Sarah pretended not to notice. She slipped down slowly and turned her back to the stallion, humming without interest in him. Nightwing came closer. Sarah pulled a sugar cube out of her pocket, kept humming, and walked away. Nightwing nickered gently. Sarah grinned but she didn’t look at him. She kept walking. Nightwing jogged after her, nickering at her.

Finally Sarah stopped, turned around, and extended her hand, offering the treat to him. Nightwing tossed his head and backed away snorting. “You won’t get it unless you take it from me,” Sarah said, her voice firm. Nightwing flattened his ears, telling her he didn’t like her being in charge. Sarah didn’t blink. Nightwing walked away snorting, and Sarah could have sworn he was complaining to himself.

Sarah shrugged and walked towards Nightwing. He immediately threw up his head and trotted off a few paces. She stood still while he cantered circles around her, his black coat breaking out into a dark sweat. Finally he slowed down and stared at her hand that held the treat. He licked his lips and his eyes settled on the treat.

Sarah chose that moment to take two steps closer then stop. Nightwing tensed up, but when she didn’t push the matter he relaxed and slowly took a step closer. Sarah took another step closer and Nightwing’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t shy away. Sarah began humming softly. She stayed still from then on and let Nightwing walk the final two steps to where he could reach out and grab the treat with his long neck and lips without getting too close to Sarah. Sarah sighed happily.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next day Sarah got a lead line. She wanted to try this ‘join-up’ she had read so much about online. She also didn’t want to spook the living daylights out of Nightwing by throwing a rope at him and making him run without first letting him get used to the idea, so she set the rope down in the center of the pen and placed three apples around it. She then backed away and left the pen, watching from a distance. Nightwing rolled his eyes in fear and broke into a mad gallop around the pen. Sarah watched curiously. Soon she felt another presence watching. She looked to her left and saw Sue leaning on the fence. “What happened? Blue Bell isn’t working for you?” Sarah asked, noticing her friend’s dusty appearance. Sue grinned.

“She’s working alright — kicking dust at me. I got her to let me groom her though. How far you getting with him?” Sue nodded to Nightwing, watching him race past.

“I’m working on it,” Sarah said gently.

“Have you touched him yet?” Sue raised an eyebrow.

“YES!” Sarah snapped. Her tone sent Nightwing into an even wilder race. She blushed at her stupidity and lowered her voice. “He ate out of my hand!” she hissed.

“Blue Bell’s been doing that for days! I know stallions are harder to train but…..you don’t want to train him do you? You’d rather set him free,” Sue said suspiciously.

“Yes. Be belongs in freedom,” Sarah admitted gently.

“That isn’t your choice to make,” Sue pointed out. Sarah looked up at her.

“I could release him back to his homeland! I could say he escaped! He deserves to be free and I can’t stand the thought of someone else…..” she trailed off. Sue shook her head.

“He’s government property! You’d be stealing and you could get arrested!” she pointed out. Sarah bit her lip. But it was worth it for Nightwing to be free again. Sue patted her shoulder and headed towards the barn.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next day when Sarah got to the pasture she noticed the three apples were gone and the rope was messed up and knotted up, like Nightwing had played with it. Sarah wanted to be sure. She picked up the rope and gently walked towards the grazing stallion. Nightwing lifted up his glossy head and nickered a greeting. Sarah felt her heart skip a beat. That was the first time he had been glad to see her!

With a new conviction, Sarah gently rubbed the rope on Nightwing’s neck. He stared at her like she was crazy but he didn’t seem to mind. “Good,” Sarah thought, gathering up the rope.

“Okay boy, go! Go!” She threw the rope at his flanks and with a startled snort Nightwing began cantering around her in a circle. Sarah flung the rope again and shouted out ‘go’! Nightwing went. He raced up and down for a few moments then slowed down. When he slowed down Sarah flung the rope at his flanks again and away he went. When he slowed the second time Sarah stepped in his path, causing him to change direction. She noticed one ear was curved in her direction. Good, he was starting to pay attention. She threw the rope again and with a loud nicker Nightwing picked up his hooves and ran.

Sarah watched closely for the second sign that he was ready to accept her as the dominant one. She was waiting for him to trust her. Finally she saw him open and close his mouth, signaling he wanted to stop running and start trusting. Sarah turned away from him and he slowed to a trot. Holding her breath, she waited.

Soon she heard hoof beats in the sand and then warm breath on her neck told her Nightwing was behind her. Without turning around Sarah began to walk. Nightwing followed. Sarah jogged, Nightwing trotted, always behind her. This was trust! Sarah turned around and wrapped his neck in a hug, something he never let her do before, but now he accepted it and even nuzzled her shoulder in turn.

“Wow!” Sarah opened her eyes and saw Jimmy, Sue, and Amy watching her. “I thought you were crazy making him run away from you like that!” Sue said, clapping. Sarah smiled and walked towards them. Nightwing tossed his head nervously but he followed her faithfully.

“When I first read about join-up on this ‘mustang taming tips’ website, I thought the same thing. But you are asking them to trust you by showing them you are stronger. It works!” She nodded to the beautiful stallion.

“Sue, find me a halter his size?” she asked. Sue hurried away. “Amy? Get me a comb?” Sarah said kindly. Amy nodded and pulled out a curry comb from her pocket. Slowly Sarah held it out for Nightwing’s inspection. He sniffed it then sneezed, blinking lazily. Sarah nodded and began grooming him using small circles. Nightwing relaxed and closed his eyes with a content sigh.

When Sue came back with the bridle Sarah showed it to Nightwing, rubbed it on his body, then slowly tried to put it around his head. Nightwing tossed up his head and refused it. But that was okay. Sarah was sure he’d be cool with it soon. “Tomorrow,” Sarah promised, stroking his nose.

* * * * * * * * * *

A month passed and Sarah was riding Nightwing. The saddle looked good on the black prince. His coat was stunning, shining in the sun with a certain glow of health to it. Sue was leading Blue Bell towards a stall and Amy and Jimmy were mucking Blue Bell’s pasture. Blue Bell was the last to learn to lead, because she was so stubborn and playful. Sarah taught Sue to join-up with her, but even then the mare’s mischief made her hard. But now that all the horses knew how to lead it was time to switch.

Sarah felt wrong about letting anyone else ride Nightwing. Still, she knew she had to do it. She moved towards Jane, dismounting from Nightwing.

“Hey guys, does Blue Bell look fat to you?” Sue commented, coming out of the barn after putting the mare away.

“You think she has worms?” Sarah asked, rubbing Jane’s nose.

“I dunno. Maybe we should call the vet?” Sue suggested. Sarah nodded. They wanted to be sure the mare was alright.

“Hey, can I take on Nightwing?” Jimmy asked, wheeling a wheelbarrow up. Sarah bit her lip. This was it, time to give up Nightwing.

“Sure. But I’d prefer if you’d join-up with him first and spend a week gaining his trust before you ride him,” she said slowly.

“Yes ma’am.” Jimmy shook his head. “Aren’t you doing the same with Jane?” he asked.

“Jane is such a sweet thing, and she trusts more than Nightwing. He’s complicated, being a leader and all.” Sarah mounted Jane and trotted her towards the pasture where they had set up a course of jumps. She had just jumped Nightwing and he was amazing. She set the mare towards the first jump, but her heart wasn’t in it. She wanted to be riding Nightwing!

* * * * * * * * * *

Three weeks later the news came — Blue Bell was pregnant! Everyone was so excited. Sarah knew in her heart it was Nightwing’s foal! She told him over and over he’d make a fine father. Nighwing had settled into domestic life, but Sarah could see he wasn’t the same horse he used to be. He didn’t carry himself proudly, he didn’t prance around in joy, he didn’t demand respect and command awe. He looked healthy, but his movement wasn’t as fluid, as perfect as it once had been. His spirit was breaking.

“Maybe a trail ride will cheer him up?” Jimmy suggested, noticing too how sad he looked.

“Trail rides ALWAYS perk him up. He LOVES them,” Amy added, leading Smoke to the pasture. Blue Bell was already there, grazing. Sarah nodded.

“I’ll ride him to his old territory. I wanna see how he’d react. It might be just what he needs. Anyone want to come with on Jane?” she asked. Jimmy and Sarah exchanged glances.

“Is that safe? He might run away,” Jimmy said. Sarah played with his black mane.

“It will be fine,” she muttered. In the end Sue mounted Jane and they headed off in the direction of the wild country.

It was a three hour trip to get to the mustang’s land. When they got there, they immediately found a band of wild horses grazing. Nightwing’s head flew up, his eyes danced. He chomped at the bit and pranced in place, but when Sarah told him to be steady he did so willingly. Sue noticed how much more alive he looked and it took her breath away how he seemed to glow with beauty. They moved him past and he nickered to the other mustangs, but obeyed.

Once a week Sarah would ride him back to his old home and each time he became happier, but when he got home he became even more depressed than before. Finally she knew he belonged in the wild. It was the only place for him. Much as she loved him, she knew he deserved freedom.

She asked Sue to help. Sue refused at first, but then after seeing how sad Nightwing was she knew she too had to help. The girls made plans.

They saddled Jane and took off. Sarah rode Nightwing bareback, without even a bridle. She had done this many times because she felt the saddle and bridle took away his spirit and wildness. They rode towards Nighwing’s old territory and easily found his herd. It consisted of only four mares and two foals. The horse leading it was a very young colt, probably only two years old, who seemed unsure, yet proud of himself. Nightwing nickered a challenge, recognizing his family.

Sarah patted his neck and dismounted. “Go ahead,” she offered, handing him one last apple. Nightwing ate the apple with joy and nuzzled her neck. Sarah laughed and pushed his nose away. “Go on boy!” she said gently. Nightwing looked up at the horses just a few feet ahead, his eyes lighting up. Then his eyes grew dull again and he looked at Sarah confused. “Go!” Sarah screamed, slapping his flanks. Nightwing took off at full gallop. Sarah and Sue watched as Nightwing charged at the young colt.

The colt reared and flashed his teeth, but Nightwing reared to meet him and sunk his own teeth into the youngster’s neck. The colt fell back and stumbled, giving Nightwing a chance to push him away. The colt charged but a clever kick from Nightwing tripped him and caused him to fall. Rearing and screaming, Nightwing shook his mane. The colt bolted. Nightwing gave chase until the colt was long gone, then he pranced around the mares and reclaimed his herd.

Looking back at Sarah, he trotted up to her and nickered gently, using his nose to push her towards his herd. “No boy!” Sarah smiled, patting him. “I don’t belong here. But this, this is your home.” She gestured towards the sky and grassy plains. Nightwing touched his nose to her chin. Sarah hugged him one final time, then backed away, mounted Jane behind Sue, and they rode away. Nightwing called after them, but they didn’t turn back.

Sarah felt a tear run down her cheek. “He belongs here,” she whispered. Sue looked over her shoulder at her friend. “I took a picture of your hug. You’ll keep him in your heart forever.”

* * * * * * * * * *

A few more months passed and all the horses found a home except for Blue Bell. Sarah wanted to raise Nightwing’s foal herself. When the foal was born he looked exactly like his father, with a hint of blue to his coat. When the kids grew up to start a rescue ranch, Nightwing’s son stayed with them until he died. He was Sarah’s life long reminder of just how special mustangs were and why it was important to make sure they never died out or vanished. Mustangs were, are, and always will be, the spirit of freedom and a reminder of America’s past, its wild west, and its glorious future if it will only take the time to preserve its mustangs.