Riding Like the Wind

Stupidity

Yeah I am an idiot a total complete idiot and I have done the horrible. I did that thing ever horse owner dreads.

Not closing Cali's stall door tight enough. Latching it incorrectly. I'm not sure but I didn't notice it till about oh say an hour after she was gone. So I'm running around looking everywhere when I think about Liberty and I turn on my heels and run for the barn. Saddle girth bridle. Done.

I'm telling him to trot as I jump on and hear "Helmet!"

"No time!", I call,"Not at all!"

My mother is confused. California can handle herself is the look on my mom's face.

Then reality hits me like a punch to the stomach. Cali. Out there. Who knows where! Giving birth to her foal. I kick Liberty. He dutifully gallops faster.

We reach a clearing where the light is soft and so are the leaves on the forest floor. As we walk into the clearing itself I see Cali walking in circles, so I walk up quietly saying her name and she walks over letting me slip her halter on and lead her over to Liberty. He nickers gently and I know trotting is all we can do.

I swing off Liberty telling him to stay there. Then give my anxious mother a look one that says,"Straw. Foaling stall. Now."

And I gently rush Cali into the foaling stall which is filled with straw. My mom goes and gets my grandmother and my father and brother. While I watch silently.

My grandma walks in.

" So Hannah it'll be yours. You know that right?"

" I didn't want a pregnant mare."

"Well you do."

"I know. And I'm ready for did and so is Cali."

My grandma smiles and nods. I know mares should foal and then be able to be with their foals' afterwords but I walked to Cali's head and kneeled down and Cali put her head in my lap. I whispered to her and she finally sighs.

And so do I.