After extolling the virtues of a good Japanese bred 4wheeler I was determined to exercise my horses. It was early still, the weather not dreadfully hot. The ride wasn’t long, except for my out of shape horses. It would be good for them. Although, on my way out to catch horses, it was pretty hard not to just jump on a 4wheeler that would be faster and didn’t require saddling.
Then the horses nickered softly from their pen, calling for love and attention. Horses it would be then.
Saddling Rusty brought sweat dripping down my forehead. Here at the buildings, behind the shelter of the windbreak, there was not a drop of breeze and the cool morning was feeling pretty dang hot.
Sunshine was coming along too for the experience. As I lead them both to the first of many gates that needed rearranged Sunshine walked quietly along behind me as Rusty drug me along to the gate. Then my dog jumped out of the back of my pickup. Sunshine tucked his butt and bolted. I stepped away from Rusty trying to get out of his way. He was already going out around me that way and I nearly stepped into his path. He worked hard to avoid me and barely brushed my shoulder as be zipped past. Rusty was confused. Sunshine hit the end of the lead and stopped.
We all took a deep breath and carried on.
Out in the long narrow lane, tree lined on one side and always terrifying to horses, I was mounted and we were off. Until there was a rush of wings from the trees next to us. I dropped Sunshine’s lead. We would catch him again. I needed to get Rusty stopped. He was off too this time.
Sunshine didn’t go far, then turned and came back to us. Rusty was still hyped and wanting to take off by I managed to go back and look closer at what I had caught a glimpse of earlier. Sure enough, there was an owl hung up by a leg, hanging upside down and flopping wildly. We have a pair of owls who I am very fond of, even if they are the most likely culprits in the disappearance of my favorite barn cat. Now here one of them was stuck in a tree. The other had gone and left her as they spooked my horses.
Who does one call to rescue an owl? I thought about firemen being called to get cats out of trees? I could call the sheriff. Maybe they would know who to get a hold of at game and parks? Pondering the logistics there I managed to dismount so I could look closer. Once I was already off my spooking, shying horse, the owl must have twisted just right and the leg came free. She took off to join her mate.
I figured it would be easier to walk to the next gate.
Once we finally made it to the pasture the horses were crazed. Flies were bothering them. Sunshine was excited by the wide open. Rusty was grouchy about ponying and obnoxious youngster. It was tons of fun. We made it to the corner of the pasture without major mishap.
Then they saw the cows.
Ears up, head held high on full alert, their bodies held so tense they vibrated. I thought maybe this would be it. Eventually they settled and we were able to walk to the cows. Who decided they really didn’t feel like moving. We had to push each one. A few steps forward, then on to the next one. They aren’t at all scared. That’s the problem with having a bunch of tame heifers out with the milk cows. They see no reason to move and think maybe they should come visit for cookies and scratches instead. Sunshine thought at first they were going to eat him.
Once we got them moving a little he realized they were fun to chase and got into the game. Which upset Rusty even worse. He was ready to bolt. Head high, reins tight, pacing and fighting to go. Yay.
We made some big slow circles out behind the herd and he calmed enough to get the job done.
The bunch finally got to the corrals and I tied the horses up to wait. Sorting would be easier done on foot the way those two were acting.
With the last of the heifers separated from the steer I was after, there was a huge splash at the tank. One of the extra calves on the milk cow had gotten knocked in? Decided to go swimming? Either way, she got dunked. With much splashing and commotion she came up on the other side of the fence in one of the pens. Now I needed to get the steer out of the way so I could get her through and back with the herd. The morning had no end to the fun and surprises to offer.
Somehow the horses and I made it home, with the steer even. It was with a huge sigh of relief that I turned them back out to their pasture. They were happy and wanted to play some more. I was wondering why I would ever think horses might be better than 4wheelers. Mostly, we just need to do this more often.
) and raring to go.
