Sunday, March 23, 2008

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


16 comments:

Melanie said...

wow! glad they're safe. My parent's horses have managed to get out before....and they live next to an interstate. yikes! It's so frightening! They have been found safe a sound thus far.

Unknown said...

oh man - thank god you found them! that must have been so stressful. Im glad they were in a safe place and not lost. :)

Hey Harriet said...

Phew! I am so glad that story had a happy ending...I was getting a little worried there. I guess nothing in comparison to the worry you went through though ;)

Tanya said...

I can somewhat relate to this story, when my Jack Russell Terrier runs off. She's fast and if you lose sight of her, you won't find her. Plus, she thinks it's a game.

Glad you found them!

Anja said...

So glad to hear there was a happy ending, yeah :-)))).

Anonymous said...

My horses have gotten out before and fortunately everyone in the town knows who they belong to! They are draft horses and there aren't many around here. But it's no fun running all over looking for them.
Glad you found them all safe and sound. Think of the exercise you got!

Smarty Pants said...

Thank goodness your friends were safe and sound! We have horsey neighbors, I love them!

Unknown said...

What a relief. Little monkeys, I am glad you found them safe!

FairiesNest said...

I used to have a horse we called Pandora who could get out of anything, so this scenario is very familiar! I'm so glad you found them safe and hopefully somewhat chastised!

TheSingingBird said...

So glad your babies are home safe!

Unknown said...

Very cute story!! I'm glad you found them safe and sound. They're just like naughty kids....Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll keep reading your's too....

Waterrose said...

I was holding my breath all through the story. A couple of weeks ago I was looking out my window, we live on horse property and two horses were roaming the neighborhood. We have a neighborhood computur forum, this was a Saturday, I posted online that horses were loose...I got a message back that said, "CATCH THEM." Well...for a person who has never owned horses that wasn't possible. But I did find another person who could help. I rescue dogs all the time....but horses....

Alpaca Granny said...

'morning, Sara, great read this a.m. Been there. Our problem is that horses come to our place. I always put them into a paddock or stall until they are recovered. Usually I know who they are. We have 4 horse homes on a mile stretch on our road. The horses on either side of us love to come visit.
Maple

erin, maker of chimes said...

Oh my! That is a horrible feeling, but at least they were safe and sound when you tracked them down.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Whew! I'm glad there was a happy ending!
I bet you were feeling so frantic and worried!

I wonder if there is some kind of 'horse tag', like dogs wear, to keep phone #'s, e-mail addresses, etc listed and on the horse, so that if horse gets loose and someone find it, they can immediately contact the owners?

Maybe something that can attach to the mane, maybe?

*jean* said...

I have always depended on the kindness of strangers....those horsies can be mischiefs!!