The morning began normally. I was rudely awakened by a tickling, running nose and my alarm clock. It is a beautiful, breezy, sunny, pollen laden day. My oldest son was already up and getting his day started. I began the task of waking our 2 youngest children This process can take some time, so I have to start early...
My oldest son then informs me he has seen Chip the horse is outside of his pasture. Chip has done this a time or two, so I immediately pull on some boots, grab his halter, a lead and fly out the door! Chip had indeed breached the pasture fence! I spotted him at the bottom of our driveway. He was headed towards an area planted with wheat-and at this point in the season-very tender wheat grass. Good! Maybe he will be completely distracted by the grass and go no further.
I am running down the hill in my purple, flannel, sheep pajama pants...a t-shirt...a zip up hoodie and my son's army green boots. I can't even imagine the state of my hair. I looked absolutely fabulous! I prayed no one I knew would see me or that I wouldn't have to go anywhere near the road. When I was within about 20 feet of him, he popped his head up from the luscious grasses and looked at me as if to say calmly "Oh, hi. Didn't hear you coming." (When I imagine Chip talking-its Owen Wilson's voice I hear...) I had been calling loudly to him the whole time I ran...
in my pajamas.
Fortunately, he didn't run. I wrapped the lead rope around his neck for insurance, and went about fastening his halter. Chip is a very calm and level headed horse. He doesn't 'play games' with us, unless we ask him. He loves to race with us. Chip always wants to be first in line when he's with other horses. Since we're part of his 'herd', he takes this into consideration when we are walking with him in his pasture. If we start to run, he will quicken his pace until he has the lead. This whole game will never play out if we don't make the first move. I do love this animal and I'm thankful he didn't think I was playing the race game...
With the halter in place, I led him back to his pen. He entered with no incident and didn't complain- even when I closed the gate that separated him from the tender shoots of wheat grass. I enclosed him in a smaller area. This is so I could make certain little "Houdini" wouldn't escape before I had a chance to survey the rest of the fence.
After everyone had left for work and school, I made my way to the pasture. I found Chip's escape route rather quickly. A small tree had fallen and taken the braided electric fence rope with it. This part of the fence has never been electrified. But Chip is smart enough to not test things like this! However, since it was laying on the ground, he stepped right over it!
I made a quick repair and let Chip eat his breakfast. After he was done with his grain, I walked him over to the fence charger. I wanted him to hear it clicking away. His eyes became quite large and he took deep breaths. He flared his nostrils in the direction of the charger in an effort to take in all the smells. I wasn't holding onto him and he could have left at any time. But he stood there even as I walked away. I was now satisfied he realized or sensed the fence was hot. A good friend told me horses can sense or somehow smell the electricity. What a demonstration Chip gave me this morning!
I believe we are secure now and Chip won't be having any more walkabouts.
One more realization I've had from my morning. Despite my recent inactivity, I can indeed run at length, early in the morning...in my pajamas...and my son's boots!
My oldest son then informs me he has seen Chip the horse is outside of his pasture. Chip has done this a time or two, so I immediately pull on some boots, grab his halter, a lead and fly out the door! Chip had indeed breached the pasture fence! I spotted him at the bottom of our driveway. He was headed towards an area planted with wheat-and at this point in the season-very tender wheat grass. Good! Maybe he will be completely distracted by the grass and go no further.
I am running down the hill in my purple, flannel, sheep pajama pants...a t-shirt...a zip up hoodie and my son's army green boots. I can't even imagine the state of my hair. I looked absolutely fabulous! I prayed no one I knew would see me or that I wouldn't have to go anywhere near the road. When I was within about 20 feet of him, he popped his head up from the luscious grasses and looked at me as if to say calmly "Oh, hi. Didn't hear you coming." (When I imagine Chip talking-its Owen Wilson's voice I hear...) I had been calling loudly to him the whole time I ran...
in my pajamas.
With the halter in place, I led him back to his pen. He entered with no incident and didn't complain- even when I closed the gate that separated him from the tender shoots of wheat grass. I enclosed him in a smaller area. This is so I could make certain little "Houdini" wouldn't escape before I had a chance to survey the rest of the fence.
After everyone had left for work and school, I made my way to the pasture. I found Chip's escape route rather quickly. A small tree had fallen and taken the braided electric fence rope with it. This part of the fence has never been electrified. But Chip is smart enough to not test things like this! However, since it was laying on the ground, he stepped right over it!
I made a quick repair and let Chip eat his breakfast. After he was done with his grain, I walked him over to the fence charger. I wanted him to hear it clicking away. His eyes became quite large and he took deep breaths. He flared his nostrils in the direction of the charger in an effort to take in all the smells. I wasn't holding onto him and he could have left at any time. But he stood there even as I walked away. I was now satisfied he realized or sensed the fence was hot. A good friend told me horses can sense or somehow smell the electricity. What a demonstration Chip gave me this morning!
I believe we are secure now and Chip won't be having any more walkabouts.
One more realization I've had from my morning. Despite my recent inactivity, I can indeed run at length, early in the morning...in my pajamas...and my son's boots!
Little Houdini-I mean-Chocolate Chip
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