Once Upon A Pony

In our fun, we forgot to keep an eye on the tide. “It seems like we are a long way from the beach.” Kara suddenly noticed. "Wasn't the sand bar bigger?" Abby replied. Being relaxed, Baby had been sniffing at a clam she happened to notice. She lifted her head at the sound of Abby's voice. I looked over the sea towards the beach. My stomach churned. When we waded to the sand bar, the tide had been low. Now the tide was coming back in, made obvious by the growing water between our fantasy island, and the beach. We were a long way from the beach. The sand bar was getting smaller every minute. Oh no! I thought, panic rising up into my chest. I rode to Lynn and pretended not to have heard the girls. I am responsible for these girls and I've got to get them out of here, and fast. "Lynn," I calmly started, "Don't panic, but we have to get off the sandbar now!" I had interrupted her private concentrated play, and she snapped her head up noticing my tone of voice. Her face went white as reality took over. “Keep your cool and just start going across. Keep going no matter what.” I shakily said. “I will gather the girls up and we will be right behind you." I was worried about Abby and Baby. The mare was so small that she might have to swim,and she didn't even like the waves. I took a few deep breaths and yelled in what I hoped was a cheery voice to the girls. "OK, it is time to go back. Kara, follow Lynn, Abby next, and I will bring up butt detail. "If Baby doesn't want to go because of the waves, I will swat her on the butt with my whip to keep her going, I told myself. Kara was getting a little worried as she started behind Lynn, "Wow, this is deep!" "Just keep going.” I told her. "Abby, follow Boy and don't stop no matter what. We really need to get back to the beach." Abby looked at me, saw what I hoped was a calm, smiling face, and went on to follow Kara and Boy. I brought up the rear with King. As Baby started following Boy, she snorted at the waves. She began to back up. “Abby, swat her!” I said quickly. Abby swatted her on the butt with the short crop. Baby bucked up, kicked out her hind leg, then decided she better go. I was behind her with King. Baby once again questioned our decision. I kept King moving. He nudged her with his chest. This booted her forward! The look in Baby's eye was I don't like this one bit. She had no choice. She was sandwiched between Boy and King. I watched as Baby suddenly seemed to be floating. When a wave came in, pushing us all inland, her hooves were not touching the ground! I could see this clearly in the transparent water as she would flutter her legs. Baby was indeed swimming! Her 13.2 hand frame wasn't tall enough to just wade through. “This feels like riding in deep snow!” Abby reflected. It may feel the same but is quite different. I thought. "Abby, let her reins be really loose and let her handle it. Grab the top of her breast plate and sit as still as you possibly can. No peeking over the side." I knew it would scare her if I told her the truth. Horses are very buoyant. Like a huge ball, they can easily be turned over. If she leaned forward or to the side it would be possible to drown Baby, and herself in the process.