Fright or Flight: Marigold pt2

The terrified haze around Marigold’s mind started to dissipate as she kept running. The adrenalin washed away wave by wave until she slowed to a stop. Her mind clearing, she focused on her breathing. Hot breaths left her nostrils as she heaved her chest in and out, her mad dash having used up all her oxygen.

The world slowly came into focus and she looked around. Tall trees surrounded her, with a thick canopy overhead shielding her from the worst of the rain. She could hear the sound of the rain hitting the leaves with a pitter patter. It reminded her of rain hitting a plastic roof, only softer, nicer. She liked the sound. It was soothing.

The rest of the world around her was silent, like it was hiding away from the rainstorm happening outside. She felt strangely comforted by this new world that she’d found herself in. A little bubble just for her.

The ginger overo mare started to move forward only for her tack to creak and jingle. She froze, feeling like ice cold water had been dumped over her. Remembering how she came to be out there, her heart constricted. Not so much for the lightning and thunder, yes those had frightened her at the time, but they would not hurt her in the future. She feared for the fact that she’d dumped her rider. He was going to be furious at her. She wasn’t supposed to spook, let alone rear while he was on her back. She could have injured him, or worse. Oh, this was bad. She shuffled in place. What was she supposed to do? Should she go back? Maybe if she returned quickly he would forgive her.

She turned around, only to realise that she had no idea where she was. She’d run blindly into the forest and had no way to know which way she came from, nor which way to go. Perhaps it would be wise to stay put. Her rider had always come for her before. Of course, she’d never been lost like this before. She’d only ever been out in the pasture. He wouldn’t even know where to look in order to find her.

She didn’t know what to do.

No one was there to tell her what to do.

No one was there to tell her what to do.

Marigold realised that she’d never been in the position where the choice was truly hers. She’d never had the freedom to choose before. Only ever the chance of what to do with her time in the pasture or the stall. Never a true decision that would impact everything. She could go wherever she wanted, do whatever she pleased. Nobody was there to stop her.

Prancing with giddiness, the only noise heard through the forest was that of the rain on the leaves, her hooves and the jangling of her tack. No doubt if anyone saw her they’d think she was crazy. But she didn’t care. She wanted to laugh and scream and shout, just because she could. Her rider and his nasty whip weren’t there. He might be mad when he found her, but he might be less mad if she gave him some time to cool off. It wasn’t like she could find her way back even if she wanted to. It wasn’t her fault that she didn’t know the way home.

With a happy nicker, she walked off further into the forest. Or where she believed it was further in. She honestly had no way of knowing, and she didn’t care. For once she had no worries. Nothing to bother her. It was just her, the trees and the rain. It was a shame about her tack though. The blanket was soaked and uncomfortable, the girth felt restricting around her belly, and the bit rested in her mouth after her newly made decision of freedom. She’d like to be free of the reminders of her servitude, if even just for the time being. If this was all the freedom she got, she’d prefer to be comfortable.

Lowering her nose, she shook her head, hoping to dislodge the bridle. But all it did was make the reins fall over her head. Great. Now she’d have to be careful while she walked to make sure she wouldn’t trip on them. Too bad her rider hadn’t gotten around to removing her tack before she’d run off.

With a sigh, she moved off, keeping her head high so her reins wouldn’t drag on the ground beneath her hooves, and hopefully wouldn’t snag on the underbrush. While it was disappointing, she couldn’t help but have a spring in her step. She tried to not let the thought of her mean old master weigh on her mind, not while she could roam wherever she pleased. She was going to enjoy her freedom while she had it.

Marigold hummed as she travelled, taking in the scenery and stopping to sniff at leaves and bushes, plus the occasional flower that was daring to brave the wet weather. The weight of her saddle might have remained on her back, but the one on her mind had lifted a little. She found herself wishing life could always be like this. No more gruelling training sessions, no more busy showgrounds, no more disappointing showjumping times. Just her and the forest. How pleasant life would be without the difficult expectations of her master.