Cowboy Up

Farm life, just like city life, is often rife with unexpected situations.

Taking advantage of a beautiful sunny and warm day in December, we decided to dust off the horses, try out some of our new tack (riding equipment)and just have a slow, calm ride around the property. It is a good idea to remind horses what they are here for and that room and board is not completely free of performance obligation.

The challenge (in addition to Doug's healing foot from the tractor accident - that was another unexpected situation) was what to do with the donkey during the ride. The equines, all being profoundly herd animals, basically go what we call in the country "ape-shit" when separated from other members of the herd.

Since Emma the donkey follows the boys (horses)around like a puppy, I ASSUMED she would follow us as we rode. You know what they say about assuming. She, harkening back to some long-lost vision of donkey freedom, distinctly did NOT follow us, but ventured out onto the road. With her precise little donkey steps, she was off.

Now I haven't ridden my horse Chief very much yet, and only this morning I again witnessed his running, jumping, bucking, and farting manuevers as he blew off some steam in the pasture. At my age, it is hugely important that I stay in the saddle when I ride. I don't bounce nearly as well as I did in my twenties.

So, it was with interest that I realized Chief and I had to 'cowboy up' and chase and herd the donkey. Cantering down our road, trying to head her off, I did not have time to consider any other solutions . STUBBORN does not adequately describe donkeys' thought processing. She evaded us and ended up out on the HIGHWAY. I am riding, waving, yelling at the oncoming truck, and hoping this 'little ride' does not end badly. Thankfully, here in Oklahoma, people must be used to seeing runaway livestock in the middle of the highway, and they patiently waited while we continued our novice rodeoing.

I am also aware that, "somewhere back on the farm", Doug, a new rider, is on his horse Zeke, who I can hear calling in a very stressed way to his out-of-sight buddies. Ah HA, the training DVDs we watched were put to good use, as Doug turned Zeke in tight circles to prevent Zeke from reactionary bolting and running to find his friends!

All ended well. The damn donkey decided to be docile and did indeed follow the boys like a puppy, AFTER her flirtation with freedom.

Since no humans or animals were injured during this event, I must say it was FUN because Chief and I got to ride "with a purpose". He responded well, did what I asked, we became "ONE" in our dedicated venture to save Emma. THAT'S RIDING!

Stupid donkey. I have had a very long talk with her. Let's hope she listened. She's certainly got the ears for it.