Stormy Weather - Cinnamon

Included

11584 Cinnamon

11590 Foal

10361 Bt Beneath Lochmoar (Nickname: Theo)

Rose Norwood (Rider)

Coming to Applewood Orchards, I was looking to bond with Theo, A new stallion. He had a wonderful temperament, and I was excited to see where we could go, bond, and maybe learn more about his quirks and find the perfect competition for him. With the storm that came in, perhaps this was the perfect way to learn. Multiple riders have reached out to help the best they can to find the missing mares and their foals.

The rain has passed and settled down, leaving the forest damp and quiet. The forest grew denser as they traveled to the location where the trail cams were, the path littered with scattered branches from the recent storm. Every creak of wood above made Rose’s heart race, but Theo stepped carefully, his strength steady beneath her. Theo snorted, ears flicking forward as if he could understand her need to get the mare and foal back to safety. The deeper they went into the forest, where the air hung heavy with damp earth and the faint tang of pine. On any normal day, she would love the way the forest was, but today it felt more tense. Wanting to get there quickly, she got Theo to pick up his pace as she continued deeper into the forest.

They followed the faint trail deeper into the woods, branches snagging at Rose’s sleeves as the air grew heavy with the damp smell of moss and broken bark. Just ahead, a sudden flicker of movement caught her eye. Rose froze, her breath hitching. It was the cinnamon mare and by her side, the young foal. Relief rushed through her, but it was quickly tempered by the sight before her.

The mare’s eyes were wild and rolling, nostrils flaring with every sharp breath. She let out a low, grunting whinny, throwing her head protectively toward her foal as Rose and Theo drew closer. The foal, pressed close to its mother’s side, pawed the ground anxiously, tiny hooves scuffing the dirt in a desperate attempt to free her from the tangle of heavy branches pinning her legs.

Sliding down from Theo’s back, Rose moved fast but calmly. She patted Theo’s neck once in reassurance before slipping the halters and rope from her bag. Her heart ached at the sight of the mare straining, muscles quivering as she fought against the trap. “Oh, you poor girl,” Rose whispered, her voice steady but soft, hoping her tone would ease the mare’s fear. Crouching lower, she scanned the branches twined around the mare’s legs and one large log on top of her back. No deep cuts, no blood, just scratches and swelling, nothing life-threatening. A small sigh of relief escaped her.

“Easy now… We’ll get you out,” Rose murmured, keeping her words slow and soothing, as if speaking to a frightened child. The mare’s ears flicked forward and back, torn between terror and the instinct to trust. She whickered softly to her foal, who responded with a sharp snort, stamping harder as if it could fight the branches itself.

Rose knew she needed to steady the foal first. Step by cautious step, she eased closer, her hands held open and low. The foal’s eyes followed her every movement, legs tense and ready to bolt, but Rose’s quiet presence worked its way in. Gently, she raised a hand over its slender neck, letting her touch linger for a heartbeat before she slipped the halter into place. “That’s it… Good little one,” she breathed.

Once secure, Rose led the foal away, coaxing it with patience until they reached Theo. The stallion stood tall and calm, a grounding presence in the clearing. Rose tied the foal safely to a fallen log beside him, where it could see its mother but remain out of the way.

Rose returned to the struggling mare, halter and rope in hand. The mare pinned her ears back, trembling with uncertainty, but Rose kept her voice calm and her movements steady. “It’s all right, girl. I just need to help you.” Slowly, she slipped the halter over the mare’s head, tightening it gently. The mare shuddered but allowed it, her eyes darting toward her foal tied safely beside Theo.

Then she crouched again, testing the heavy branch that had twisted itself across the mare’s back. It was thick, swollen with damp moss, and wedged awkwardly against the roots of a nearby tree. Rose tugged, but it barely shifted. She bit her lip. This was more than her own strength could manage. Her eyes flicked to Theo. The stallion stood alert but calm, ears pricked forward as though already waiting for her call. Rose felt a surge of gratitude for his steady presence. “All right, boy,” she murmured, rising to her feet. “Looks like I’ll need your help.”

She took one of the ropes, looping it securely around the thickest part of the branch. Tugging on it to test its hold, she then led the other end to Theo and fastened it carefully to his saddle horn, thankful that her taste in western tack is a good choice at this moment. Rose jumped into the saddle and turned Theo around to start moving forward. The tension on the rope tightened as she could hear the branch creak and grow under the rope. Looking back, she could see the branch lifting and moving out of the way. With one last heave, the branch cracked free of the roots, sliding across the ground with a thud. The mare lurched, jumping up quickly and darting to her foal.

Theo blew through his nostrils, standing tall as the rope went slack. Rose quickly untied him, giving him a grateful pat before jumping off his back and walking over to the mare. She checked the legs carefully, brushing away bits of bark and mud. Bruised and scratched, but no serious harm done.

Relief washed through her. The mare’s breathing began to slow, her wide eyes softening as she glanced toward her foal. “There we go. Back together again,” she softly cooed to the mare and tied their lead rope together. She attached them to Theos' saddle horn as she collected the rope used and packed it away. “Well, let's get you back home, shall we?”

Rose jumped back onto Theo, and the four of them made their way back to Applewood Orchards' barn. Where they could get the vet care they needed and back where they needed to be. Hopefully, now the fence will be fixed and secured for them, and no more adventures like this for the pair.

The trees thinned, and the familiar rooftops of Applewood Orchards came into view. The comforting smell of hay and wood smoke drifted on the breeze, carrying with it the promise of safety. Rose guided Theo toward the barn, where she knew the vet would be waiting, and where the pair could finally rest.

Sliding down from Theo’s back, Rose handed the mare’s rope to one of the stable hands and gave the foal a quick scratch behind the ears. “You’re home now,” she said softly. Her gaze lifted toward the distant pastures, where the fencing crew had already begun their work. Hopefully, once the repairs were finished, the mare and foal could graze in peace without fear of wandering into danger again.

She gave Theo one last pat of gratitude, pride swelling in her chest. For Rose and Theo, she knew, there would always be another trail, another call for help waiting just beyond the horizon, and she had her full trust in Theo.