When Maria suggested that Mike, their buggy horse, could go into our South pasture and run free instead of being tied to a fence, Mahlon jumped at it.
He told us Mike was the most difficult of the 15 horses the family owns. He doesn’t come when called and will run away from a harness.
Still, he said he wanted him to have the chance to graze and find shade on a hot day. So Mike went into the pasture and immediately started galloping around and around the pasture perimeter.
He came over tto Maria’s studio to whinny at her and then he rushed over to the gate to whinny at me. He was having a blast.
When it was time for Mahlon and his brother Jonas to leave, Mike bolted and ran to the far end of the pasture and kept running the other way whenever Jonas got close.
He had to ask Mahlon for help.
Mahlon went to the far side of the field with a harness and a bucket of grain. Mike teased him and let him get close, then took off at the last second. He seemed to be having fun.
The chase went on for nearly a half-hour and I thought we would have to go to Moise’s farm for reinforcements. Mike was smart, he did a sort of dance, spun around and took off.
I couldn’t resist, I got into the middle of it.
But then Mahlon put on a first-class show of how to deal with a reluctant and spirited animal-like Mike. He never lost his temper, never raised his voice, never seemed rattled in any way.
Mahlon kept talking to Mike softly and calmly, bringing the grain closer and closer to him. You could see Mike calming down and considering his options.
I went out to join Jonas and Mahlon as they circled the pasture. The plan was to see if we would corral them into the dog area or into a corner of the pasture.
I couldn’t move as fast as they did, but I did block him a few times.
I had to do this many times with our donkeys and our horse Chloe. You just have to keep coming until they get sick of the game and this was, I was sure, a game for Mike.
Finally, as we circled in on him, Mike ran into the open gate of the dog run, and we had him.
We rushed in, closed the gate and Mahlon went up to him, speaking softly, stroking his neck, being calm and soothing.
When he got the harness over Mike’s neck, he settled right down and became an Amish horse, quiet and obedient. I like Mahlon’s demeanor, when something like that happens, with a horse or a dog, it’s time to get calm and steady, not angry and excited.
I was impressed by how Mahlon handled it, how calm he stayed, how soothing and patient his voice was. While he was being hooked up to the carriage, Mike made one more brave and determined dash back towards the pasture gate.
Mahlon was well ahead of him, and turned him around and hooked him up to the carriage. Mike’s little romp was over.
“Well,” I said, “you probably won’t put him into the pasture again, will you?” Mahlon laughed, “sure I will. He does this every time when he can. He’s just being a horse.”
I love this story ❤️
This was perfect in every way. Particularly the response “sure I will!” I loved this, I have owned horses for 50 years. That would have been my response too!
I love his response! So great! Of course he’ll do it again, love that.
I love his answer, “…He’s just a horse being a horse”
Your house looks great, love the color!
Love this! Every creature likes a little break from doing their duty, enjoy a little temporary freedom, a little play and testing of boundaries — good for Mike on a fresh-field romp. And on Mahlon for the patience and understanding of this horse’s temperament. Bless them both.
As I’ve learned about horses over the last 7 years, I have been told many times, “he’s just being a horse.” My horse has started shying to the left when I am riding him, and I have been told to walk him up to whatever startles him and make him sniff it, or even wear it for a hat. I have so much to learn.
I loved this post, Jon! It reminded me of my first pony, Sherry. She was a smart old thing and taught me more about riding than the two years of lessons I took before I got her. When I first got Sherry I was 12 years old. I rode bareback and wasn’t tall enough to jump on so I would lead Sherry up to the fence, climb up on the second rail and then swing a leg over her back. Sherry would watch all this out of the corner of her eye and, if given the opportunity, would swing her rump away from the fence at the last minute, resulting in yours truly landing in a heap on the ground. The first time I succeeded in jumping on Sherry’s back, I swear I heard her mutter “Damn!” It was one of the few times I actually won a battle of wills with that horse ….
Jon…
A few months ago, I went outside to investigate an electrical problem and left the front door ajar. It was around the time I usually walk Hazy, our Australian Shepherd mix. But this time, Hazy decided to walk solo.
Late at night, our area is populated by coyotes, Great Horned owls and who knows what else. Although we have dealt with them before, we were concerned about our 14-year old on her own.
Finally, we rounded her up. It appeared she was tracing our walking route, with a few improvisions. She seemed shaky, and didn’t resist losing her freedom.
But, why? I don’t know, but would guess, “just being a dog?” That being the case, the front door stays closed.
So happy that Mike got to have his freedom and run about; all animals deserve their space and time to just be…and although he gave his owner a bit of a chase his owner stayed so calm…love that…we always make sure our border/collie/lab Bella gets her time to run and be free…and to just be “a dog”…
Sweet story.
Great pictures,Jon !
This approach works with a dog, too. One of my previous Airedales was a “runner”. Whenever he got a chance, he would take off and refuse to come. A wise trainer told me to stay calm and simply keep moving quietly in the dog’s direction. When the dog changed direction, so did I. I didn’t call any more, but stayed quiet and just walked towards the dog. Eventually, he got tired of the game and came to me, at which point he got praise and even a treat. Usually we were doing this in a safe place, thank goodness, but once he got away in a place where he could head down the street. Scary, with traffic. He eventually got to the park down the street. I got smart and lay down on my back in the grass. His curiosity got the better of him and he had to come see what the heck I was up to. Gotcha!
Jon, I think Mike was saying a big thank you to Maria when he whinnied at her studio! How great for him to have the freedom in the green field. Glad Mahlon knows he’ll let him enjoy going out again! Happy Birthday for tomorrow Jon. What a celebration for you.
Thanks Joan, I should mention that he also has a pasture at his own farm to roam, he just likes to roam..