The Great Escape

This is a long story. Grab a cup of coffee.

We get up early. We both work for east coast companies; my husband leaves for work by 6am. He feeds the horses right before he leaves. Friday morning, he kissed me goodbye, and went out to feed. 2 minutes later, he was back in. "The horses broke out, they're gone". WHAT??? I ran to get some pants and shoes on (can't run around in pajamas) to go search. They couldn't have gone far. Right?

(we're in the midst of re-fencing our arena, and where the new fence is connected to the old fence, it broke - the bracket popped off, probably cause one of the horses was rubbing on it).

We can see their hoofprints, but only for a few feet - then it is gravel road. No prints visible.

2 hours later....no horses. I've called the police, a nearby vet. My husband is still driving around the world looking. I have blisters on my feet cause never put on socks. I've run more miles than I've walked in the past 6 months. What to do? Panic is starting to set in.

2 women are walking their dogs down my dirt road. I run out to them to tell them my story and ask them to look.

OK, Now I'm Set. Socks, Sneakers, halter and lead line in hand, sunglasses on. Cell phone. I head out the driveway. Remember the 2 women? They are down the end of my street, calling to me. They found hoofprints! Down my dirt road, across a main road (thank god no horses lying in the road, hit by a car) down a dirt driveway. TRACKS! I am tracking them. I know these are my horses - there are 2 sets, one with shoes on, one with shoes off (my mustang does not wear shoes). There are houses here, but each house sits on many acres, so there is LOTS of open land. I follow the tracks. And follow them. and follow them. How far have they GONE? all of a sudden I am right behind a house, and OH NO a paved driveway. I lose their tracks. FINALLY my husband answers his cell phone. I wait for him, and we start tracking together. We find the tracks again (PHEW) - they headed south on a dirt road - lots of gravel, but tracks can be found every 6-8 feet or so. I'm starting to be really hopeful. We know this road, we've ridden down this road.

Up ahead there is a fabulous property - she has horses, and a burro. Do you believe it? The tracks go right down her driveway - OMIGOD There they are! In a STALL! FOUND! SAFE! They're HERE! Such relief. You should see the looks on their faces. They come up to us - Mom, we were LOST! We couldn't FIND YOU!!! This really nice lady took care of us!!!!!

We're safe.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh