xxxxxxxxxxEven with the wildlands stretched infinitely ahead of me, I'd always planned to come back. I'd grown attached to everyone at the ranch, admittedly, and minus the being unrestrained by pastures and stables, being wild didn't have the same allure as it once did. Regardless, as therapy for myself and Oppa, Amethyst would often take us out into the deserts and let us run free for a few hours. Get those wild streaks out, especially before an upcoming show, so we'd be focused and controlled. Normally the desert would be empty and quiet, save for the occasional coyote or rattlesnake, but otherwise we'd have it all to ourselves. Today, though, today was very different.
xxxxxxxxxxIn the distance I could see another band of wild horses, all staring at us like we were the strangest of beings. In her excitement, Oppa took off for the new horses as soon as she was free of her halter. I waited nervously for Amethyst to pull mine away and I took off after her, scared she might be hurt by either the lead stallion or another mare. I caught up quickly, being only the slightest bit smaller and a heck of a lot faster, only to find her already socializing and greeting the other horses. These were all Spanish descent, it seemed; maybe the odd paint or nokota, but they just seemed to be your typical Nevada band doing their best to outrun the BLM. It was amazing how quickly Oppa, who'd been this horribly-tempered, antisocial mare the first time I met her, was now making friends with horses that she'd never met before in her life. I couldn't even find the words.
xxxxxxxxxxOne thing you need to know about her, though, is that even though she has that tough girl exterior that will go toe-to-toe with literally anybody, she'd never actually been in a fight. She was young when they'd taken her out of the wild, still in her natal herd; I'd been full grown, and I'd taken on just about everything even in my short life.
xxxxxxxxxxSo after everything, we ran with the band for about an hour, grazing, grooming, just socializing in general. It was nice, but soon it was getting time for us to head back. I'd nickered at Oppa to let her know it was time to go, and thankfully she bid goodbye to everyone and began to trot obediently after me. In all reality she wasn't that much younger than me, but I was her guardian, and I liked being responsible for her. It was like having a child of my own.
xxxxxxxxxxA child who I didn't realize was in danger.
xxxxxxxxxxSuddenly behind me I heard her squeal, and I whipped around to charge her attacker. It was the stallion of the herd, a massive grey beast who was snaking her back to the herd. He glared sideways at me, pinning his ears as a warning. Fury lit in my veins, and I charged straight at him, shoving through to separate him and Oppa. He seemed surprised and backed off for only the tiniest moment before his demeanor turned smug, and he began to try and herd me back as well.
xxxxxxxxxxIf you know nothing else about me, know that I do not put up with this kind of crap.
xxxxxxxxxxI stomped my hooves to plant myself more firmly, pinning my ears and raising my head far above his. Even as he tried to nip at my neck and shoulder, I lunged to bite him, but never moved from my position. Oppa stood uncertainly behind me, watching everything I was doing and learning how to defend herself. I could see the stallion getting more and more agitated that his normal plan wasn't working, and I prepared for a fight.This was going to be fun, but he wasn't going to get the first bite in; that was my job.
xxxxxxxxxxSuddenly I leapt forward, using my whole body to slam into the stallion and knock him off balance; I bit at his ears and neck, squealing the way a stallion defending his mares would. I fought exactly the way my father used to, throwing my weight around to make up for the size difference that disadvantaged me. The stallion tried to fight back, but between shock and awe of a mare knowing how to battle
and how aggressive I was doing it, he didn't really have a chance. I knew how to hold my own. Finally he seemed to give up, rearing and backing away, ears still pinned. I stared him down, snorting heavily with exertion as I struggled to catch my breath; I was exhilarated, but I refused to pursue him. As long as he fully backed off, I would keep honor and not attack again. I straightened my posture and walked past him calmly, Oppa sticking close to my side, opposite of him; sadly, not every horse chooses honor, and just out of my peripheral vision I saw him turn to take a chunk out of my haunch. Out of reaction I lashed out with a rear leg and kicked him square in the chest, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. This time I didn't bother looking back, and I instructed Oppa to keep her eyes forward. The stallion would be winded just long enough for us to get back to Amethyst.
xxxxxxxxxxWe walked back in silence, though I could tell what happened really bothered Oppa. I'd talk to her about it eventually, since it seemed as though that was a conversation her mother had never had with her, before they were separated. That made me really feel bad for her, so I gently reached over to nuzzle her. Finally, Amethyst and the trailer appeared in the distance, and Oppa picked up pace to greet her. It was nice to see how well they'd bonded, too, and I dared to say that even Oppa was glad that there was a nice warm stall waiting for her at home.
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