I decided tonight when I did chores that it was the time of year to start putting the herds back together. I took old John, the mule, out of the pasture and let him eat his mush next to the truck. He is somewhere near 40, so I did not think he would appreciate the excitement of Jet Ranger’s three horses joining the herd. I gave the others, Dulci, Sophie, Cirrus and Nimbus, some grain to munch on while I walked down the fence line to where the solar charger sits and controls the fence that separates the pastures to turn it off. (I’m no) Angel was near and saw me open the gate. It did not take her long to come through and pass me. Legend and MeToo were close behind.

The two little girls stared at the intruders like they were oncoming hordes of Mongols racing to burn their village.

They stayed together and held their ground for as long as they could. One of the horde was an obvious crazy woman.

A wild and scary daughter.

And the fearsome general who commanded this oncoming charge.

There was plenty of swirling, squealing and mud flying. My “boys” took flight and were starting to panic when they spotted me. They slid to a stop on either side, hid behind me and blew snorts of warning at the confusion and introductions. It is so good to know that in a panic, they both chose to be with me as their safe place! They stayed with me until Legend tried to run the girls and they both decided to intercede on the ladies’ behalf and defend the girls. They took off at a gallop as a united front.

(If you look closely, you will see both boys. Cirrus is in the front here.) And gathered their girls back from the marauder’s clutches.

It was a short time of confusion and running and everyone settled down. I took John down to the west pasture with Reo and Bit and put him in with them for now. He will enjoy the relative quiet of these two solid citizens until I need to put everyone together when we start feeding hay and having to haul water and keep it from freezing. I dread the winter to come.

It had been overcast for most of the day. As I walked back down the lane, swinging my empty feed bucket and the dogs trotting beside me, the sun came through a break in the clouds behind me. The sudden glow of light stopped me in my tracks. Every leaf, every blade of grass, every weed head, was on fire and glowing. It painted the bean leaves in front of me and the edges of the hills and clouds in the distance. I tried to take it all in. Just as suddenly, it faded and disappeared.

I loaded the dogs and headed back to the shop to work some more and look at tonight’s photos. I really do enjoy playing the home version of National Geographic.

Posted in Uncategorized   Tagged: herd, horses