Mickey
Standing in the pasture I saw a trailer pull in – was it a new horse arriving? Would he be nice to me? My pasture-mate today was a young stallion that, although he isn’t mean, he has so much energy and I am so tired. People got out and walked over to the gate – no horse on the trailer –hmmm – did that mean someone was leaving? I wonder who that would be? One lady had a halter in her hand and she headed for me! I had only been at this pasture for 3 months – would I be moving again so soon? She scratched my chin and looked me in the eye - I walked to the gate with her – she seemed nice enough but I was so tired of learning new herds, new homes, new people – I hope this would be an easy move. I walked on the trailer and the door was shut – that life was behind me and I had no idea what was ahead. So many times I had gotten on a trailer, not knowing that the life I had known was gone forever and I was going to start a whole new life. After a short ride (on very bumpy roads) the trailer stopped. I stood with my feet planted, not wanting to back off the trailer – not wanting change – afraid this new place might not be a happy one. After some time, the people kept encouraging me to back off but finally allowed me to turn around and I peeked out of the door and saw other horses. I saw pasture, hay, water, barns…. I was hopeful that at least I wouldn’t be alone and hungry. The lady led me to a pasture that was separate – the others couldn’t reach me if I stood back – there was a pile of sweet hay and water but I was too worried about the others that came to see me. There was a big white one that was first at the fence – he seemed nice – but big! And wide! I walked to the edge, I hoped he wouldn’t be mean - we touched noses “you are safe” is all he said and I took a deep breath – “This is a good place and you will be happy here. If you need anything, if anyone picks on you, let me know and I will take care of it” There was no question he was head of the herd – he moved slow and had a limp but I could tell it was better to have him as a friend then an enemy. The next to come over was a small red one. Unlike the white one, he was constantly moving – stepping fast and flinging his head around . “who are you? Where did you come from” why are you funny colored? Can we play? Why are you in the separate pasture? When can you come in our pasture? Watch me, watch me, watch me”. Ugh this one was tiring. He wasn’t very big and didn’t seem to have a lot of experience – I think I can outsmart him. Across the pasture I saw another red one – he looked bigger and not quite so silly but there was a bit of a look in his eye that told me “you better play your cards right mister cause im not sure I like you” He didn’t come over at all so I could only watch him from across the pasture. I hadn’t seen the little grey one until later, after everyone else had left to eat hay. She slowly stepped to the side of the fence – just close enough for me to put my nose over and touch – she smelled a little funny and her head was kinda big for her body but there was something quiet about her, something that made me feel safe. She didn’t say a word but walked away and started eating hay with the others. A few days went by and I stayed in my own fence, beside my new herd but safe from any disagreement. One morning, after I was put in my fence, the lady led the big red one towards my gate. Ummmm “im not sure that’s going to work” of all the horses she could have chosen she picked that one! When he was let loose I stood on the other side of the ring,”whats he going to do?” If I needed to run I was in trouble because this big guy looked fast and my skinny old bones didn’t have a chance. He completely ignored me, like, turned his head and wouldn’t even look at me. I tried to slowly inch his way, maybe we can be friends after all? The closer I got the faster he walked away. I spent the next few hours standing as close as he would let me but that wasn’t very close. I just wanted a friend. |
That afternoon, the lady tried to put the big red one with the others and leave me in the small pasture by myself but that’s not what happened. The big grey one, who introduced himself as Tommy, was the first one to scoot in the open gate. It happened so fast I really didn’t have a chance to think about it but I found myself running in their big pasture. I was a bit scared, they knew the terrain and I didn’t. They all (except the little grey one) wanted to get close and I was so nervous. Tommy stayed near me, he made me feel safe. The little red one, Chester, wanted to play but I was still tired and scared and he was so fast so I ran away from him. The big red one stood a ways away and looked at me, not one of those “hey you look like a fun friend” but more like “come here new one and I will kill you”.
Now I am 23 years old and not fresh off the farm, I knew that look and I knew I needed to not turn my back to him. There was hay on the ground and tjey all sort of picked at it, the whole time watching me. All of a sudden, out of no where, the big red one was coming at me, teeth bared, ears back and the meanest eyes I have seen! . I tried to turn and run but he had a head start and was closing ground fast. All of a sudden there was a squeal and a grunt with pounding hooves and I turned to see Tommy, neck snaking and heading to cut the red one off, and that he did.
I stood trembling for a minute to see if Tommy would leave me alone to be chased again but he didn’t, he came over and stood beside me. “That’s Pete and he is pretty old but he doesn’t realize that. He was the last one here and now he is mad because you are now the newbie and he is one of the herd. He will settle down soon, just stay close by me.”
The rest of the day I explored the pasture but if I looked up and saw those eyes on me I quickly found Tommy (he’s pretty easy to find). Every now and then the grey one would come close. I really didn’t want to but I chased her away because the rest of the herd did and I wanted to fit in so bad. I knew it was mean and I felt sad doing it but to show I wasn’t a complete woos I needed to pick on someone and she was the weakest link (or so I thought).
As the days went by, Pete started to leave me alone. It didn’t help the day it rained and the lady put His blanket on ME! Ugh, he was not impressed that day. We got a nice new shed that Tommy let me stand in and he kept everyone else out but I was still alone most of the time.
Chester started to think he was going to push me around but I put the heals to that little fool quickly and that ended before it started.
Tommy remains a friend but isn’t as much of a protector now, I think he knows Im starting to find my place in the herd. The one thing that has changed the most is the little grey big headed one. Blossom. Even her name is sweet. I think she is so safe and amazing, I follow her everywhere she goes. I know I have to earn her trust back because of the way I treated her when I first came but im hoping , with time, she will be my friend. There have been a few times we have shared a hay pile, it was one of the happiest moments ive had for a long time.
We have gone on 2 walks together and I feel so safe when she is near me. I think this pasture is starting to feel like home to me and the rest of the herd is starting to become MY herd. I am still so tired and it takes all my energy to eat but im glad my best friend Blossom isn’t the fastest friend either.
I guess this new home is ok
Spring came and with it another horse. Thor arrived and quickly joined the herd. I decided then and there I was not going to be the low man anymore. I was feeling stronger and I knew the pasture, I was sure i could rise above this new guy in the herd hierarchy. Chester and I had started to get chummy after they put Blossom out back where we couldn’t be together. (That was a very sad day for me ) I could always stand in the barn and watch her but for some reason she seemed to like that donkey, Molly, better then me. I can take a hint…. I decided to join the boys out front – they had more grass anyway. One day a trailer backed into the driveway. Another horse? Hmmm she was walking my way with a halter. Umm I think I know this drill….. a woman took the lead and I quickly stepped onto the trailer – She seemed nice and I felt I could trust her. We traveled for a very long time, I was tired and getting pretty scared of where I would step off and if I would have to fight for my place in yet another herd. When she led me off the trailer I looked around. There was a strange smell (later I found out it came from these large black and white animals that looked like fat horses but they called them cows). I went into the barn and my stall looked comfy and inviting. I looked across the door and saw another horse – he looked a lot like me. He pricked his ears and the woman gave me a scratch…. Sigh…. I knew I would never have to get in another trailer again, I knew I had found my forever herd and I was home.
Now I am 23 years old and not fresh off the farm, I knew that look and I knew I needed to not turn my back to him. There was hay on the ground and tjey all sort of picked at it, the whole time watching me. All of a sudden, out of no where, the big red one was coming at me, teeth bared, ears back and the meanest eyes I have seen! . I tried to turn and run but he had a head start and was closing ground fast. All of a sudden there was a squeal and a grunt with pounding hooves and I turned to see Tommy, neck snaking and heading to cut the red one off, and that he did.
I stood trembling for a minute to see if Tommy would leave me alone to be chased again but he didn’t, he came over and stood beside me. “That’s Pete and he is pretty old but he doesn’t realize that. He was the last one here and now he is mad because you are now the newbie and he is one of the herd. He will settle down soon, just stay close by me.”
The rest of the day I explored the pasture but if I looked up and saw those eyes on me I quickly found Tommy (he’s pretty easy to find). Every now and then the grey one would come close. I really didn’t want to but I chased her away because the rest of the herd did and I wanted to fit in so bad. I knew it was mean and I felt sad doing it but to show I wasn’t a complete woos I needed to pick on someone and she was the weakest link (or so I thought).
As the days went by, Pete started to leave me alone. It didn’t help the day it rained and the lady put His blanket on ME! Ugh, he was not impressed that day. We got a nice new shed that Tommy let me stand in and he kept everyone else out but I was still alone most of the time.
Chester started to think he was going to push me around but I put the heals to that little fool quickly and that ended before it started.
Tommy remains a friend but isn’t as much of a protector now, I think he knows Im starting to find my place in the herd. The one thing that has changed the most is the little grey big headed one. Blossom. Even her name is sweet. I think she is so safe and amazing, I follow her everywhere she goes. I know I have to earn her trust back because of the way I treated her when I first came but im hoping , with time, she will be my friend. There have been a few times we have shared a hay pile, it was one of the happiest moments ive had for a long time.
We have gone on 2 walks together and I feel so safe when she is near me. I think this pasture is starting to feel like home to me and the rest of the herd is starting to become MY herd. I am still so tired and it takes all my energy to eat but im glad my best friend Blossom isn’t the fastest friend either.
I guess this new home is ok
Spring came and with it another horse. Thor arrived and quickly joined the herd. I decided then and there I was not going to be the low man anymore. I was feeling stronger and I knew the pasture, I was sure i could rise above this new guy in the herd hierarchy. Chester and I had started to get chummy after they put Blossom out back where we couldn’t be together. (That was a very sad day for me ) I could always stand in the barn and watch her but for some reason she seemed to like that donkey, Molly, better then me. I can take a hint…. I decided to join the boys out front – they had more grass anyway. One day a trailer backed into the driveway. Another horse? Hmmm she was walking my way with a halter. Umm I think I know this drill….. a woman took the lead and I quickly stepped onto the trailer – She seemed nice and I felt I could trust her. We traveled for a very long time, I was tired and getting pretty scared of where I would step off and if I would have to fight for my place in yet another herd. When she led me off the trailer I looked around. There was a strange smell (later I found out it came from these large black and white animals that looked like fat horses but they called them cows). I went into the barn and my stall looked comfy and inviting. I looked across the door and saw another horse – he looked a lot like me. He pricked his ears and the woman gave me a scratch…. Sigh…. I knew I would never have to get in another trailer again, I knew I had found my forever herd and I was home.
November 14 2021
Bella and Mickey where they belong ... home
Bella and Mickey where they belong ... home