Trapped? Not for Long!

“Guys, we need help!” Anisha called out as soon as she got back to where she, Miriam, and Genevieve were staying for the festival. Both Miriam and Genevieve were already rushing to get dressed. “A couple horses got loose through the smashed fences. Some were spotted across the river, so I’ll head there to round ‘em up. They’re the closest, so I won’t be taking a horse. Another mare and foal got stuck by some fallen branches -- Miriam, you take Bergamot and head out for a search. Another pair might be stuck in the ravine, so Genevieve, take Dawn and find ‘em. You’re the best at climbing. I’ll text you guys if I find out any more information.” 

“Got it,” Miriam gave a small salute and Genevieve did the same before the three of them rushed off to their respective tasks. The festival grounds were abuzz with frantic activity as Miriam ran to the barn where they found Bergamot waiting for them. They wasted no time getting Bergamot saddled up. “Bergamot, I know we don’t know each other well yet, but I really, really need your help, okay?” They said, patting the tuscan-coated blanket appaloosa mare. Bergamot nickered a little bit and stood still as Miriam went about their work. “Good job, good job,” Miriam murmured, trying both to soothe themselves and not let Bergamot notice their anxiety about both the missing horses and their ability to search, especially in the current weather. At least they got an update on the possible location of the mare and foal stuck by fallen branches. 

As soon as Miriam and Bergamot were ready and out of the building, Miriam climbed up onto the roan mare and the two headed off into the forest. “Anisha said they were spotted by a trail cam a long ways off from the southern trail,” They said, getting Bergamot to get up to a gallop. Miriam wasn’t quite used to a galloping horse, yet, so their anxiety only rose. “At least the storm seems to be in a bit of a lul, huh?” 

As if in agreement, Bergamot let out a whinny. 

Still, it was muddy from the rain and Bergamot’s hooves splashed as she galloped with an almost determined air. Bergamot easily hops over a fallen tree, splashing mud up into the air. “We’ll get you a nice bath and a ton of apples when we get back, I promise, Berg,” Miriam assured her. 

As they got closer to where the trail cam had sighted the mare and foal, Miriam and Bergamot slowed to a trot, listening carefully for any neighing from the lost pair. Miriam felt wetness begin to drip onto their forehead as the rain began to start up again. “Shit,” They huff under their breath, trying to hear through the sound of the rain. 

Bergamot’s ears flick towards the right and she turns her head, nodding a bit as if to tell Miriam, ‘that way!’ 

“Let’s go, then, Berg,” Miriam said with a nod, getting her to gallop. They soon begin to hear the braying as well. “I see ‘em ahead!” 

The rain was coming down harder now and Miriam’s hair was plastered to their face. They shoved their bangs out of the way as they came closer to the panicked neighing from the sooty tuxedo hazelnut foal, the white of his tuxedo and snowflake markings nearly covered by the brown mud. Miriam saw the other horse, the hazelnut snowcapped appaloosa, struggling under a pile of branches. “Damn it, I hope she’s not hurt,” Miriam said, sliding off of Bergamot’s back and walking around the pile to assess where best to begin. “I’m gonna help your mom, okay?” Miriam said to the foal, who ignored their presence entirely. Miriam reached out to test some of the branches to see if they would budge, pushing with all of the strength that they could muster. It was not only useless -- as they were securely weighed down by a large branch at the top, but Miriam also managed to lose traction in the mud. They landed on their stomach with a loud “OOF!” 

The foal’s panicked neighing stopped for a moment as they looked at Miriam, tilting their head in mild confusion and shock. 

Miriam stood, now absolutely covered in mud as they heard Bergamot snort behind them. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, missy,” Miriam said lightheartedly, rolling their eyes as they reached for their pack. “How about this,” they murmured, pulling out a hempen rope. They looped it around the topmost branch and then turned towards Bergamot, tying the other end to the horn on her saddle. “Think you can do this, Bergamot?” Miriam asked, climbing back up onto the mare. The trapped mare looked up at them, regarding them with curiosity. 

Miriam squeezed their legs to let Bergamot know they wanted her to walk forward. As soon as the rope was taught, Bergamot steadily continued to try to walk. “That’s it, just a little more and we can get that branch moving. You’re doing great, Berg,” Miriam spoke soothingly to the horse. The foal had stopped making panicked noises entirely, perhaps aware that Miriam was trying to rescue them. “Just a little more, girl,” Miriam encouraged. Then, the branch budged and slid down the pile, freeing the hazelnut mare. She stood quickly and trotted over to her foal, nuzzling them affectionately. 

“Whew!” Miriam sighed, patting Bergamot’s neck. “Great job, Berg!” They slid off of her back again to collect the rope and get the leads from her bag, fastening the ends to the halters on both the mare and the foal so they could lead them back. They messaged Anisha that they had found the hazelnut appaloosa pair and that they were headed back to the festival grounds. Before getting back onto Bergamot’s back, they pulled a few apples out to give to each of the horses. Bergamot gratefully took the snack from their hand as the four of them caught their breath together. 

The return trip was much slower, now that they were going at a walking pace and the adrenaline had worn off. “I only just realized how cold I am,” Miriam said, shivering a little. They shifted in the saddle a bit, hoping to warm up a bit on the journey. 

By the time they reached the festival grounds, their teeth were chattering. “Oh, I’m definitely gonna get sick,” they mumble as they lead the horses to the barn, where the staff gratefully take the mare and her foal to get cleaned up and warm. 

“Jump around in a mud puddle?” Jim -- one of the festival staff -- asked lightheartedly before laughing, “I’m just pullin’ yer leg, I know you brought back the mare and her foal. Go on inside and get warmed up, I’ll take Bergamot back to her stall for ya and get her cleaned up.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that--” Miriam began to protest, but Bergamot gave them a little shove with her snout. “Hey!” The mare only shook her head a bit in response and Miriam rolled their eyes with a smile. Alright, alright, I’ll go take care of myself as well,” They said, patting Bergamot on the neck before turning to head back to where they were staying with Anisha and Genevieve.