More Lessons On Human Nature

I was determined to leave Judy’s ranch as soon as possible. Judy refused to keep Pepper the dog away from the horses and it was only a matter of time before Mystery got hurt. I quickly found another ranch willing to take him. It was San Antonio ranch and they had pasture boarding, stalls and an arena. Next I found a two horse straight load trailer I could rent. I headed out early in the morning to take Mystery to his new home.

I was happy to find the ranch deserted. I had given Judy notice by phone and told her she could just keep the month’s rent, and was grateful I did not have her there to harass me. I had never loaded a horse in a trailer before, nor driven a truck pulling a trailer and was nervous. I filled the manger with hay and lead Mystery inside. He went inside without a problem and I closed the back door. I tied him from the other slot, went out the escape door and thought to myself “how easy was that?”

Just then I looked back at the trailer in time to see the escape door pop open and Mystery attempt to get out of the trailer through the escape door! I had never checked that side to see if it was latched! I was horrified. He had managed to get his front legs out but his head was pulled backwards over his back, still tied from the inside. I pushed against his chest, trying to get him to back up but I knew that would not work. He was bent, half in, half out with his head and neck twisted. I knew what I had to do.

I quickly untied his halter and freed his head. Then I stepped back and I prayed. I am not religious at all, but I prayed to God “Please, please, God, don’t let me kill my horse”. I watched as Mystery swayed, back and forth, then I saw him go side to side and in one motion he jumped through the escape hatch, lowering one side of his hip and was free. I could see he was scrapped up, his front leg and both (skinny) hips, but he just immediately started to graze and did not seem freaked out at all. “Thank you Lord” I thought to myself. Now what do I do?

Judy’s ranch was right down the street from a handicap riding center. I looked up just in time to see a truck had stopped on the road and someone was watching. I am sure I was in tears by that point and soon a young man was walking over to me asking if I need help. I blurted out what had happened and was probably in hysterics by then…I thought for sure I had killed my horse and how could I even think I could ever own and be responsible for a live creature like this. The man was calm and reassuring and told me he would help me. But how would we ever get him back into the trailer after such a bad experience? I thought to myself.

The young man went over to Mystery, put his lead and halter back on and calmly stepped inside the trailer. Mystery followed like nothing had happened. This same young man then followed me, over dirt roads, up and over the mountains, to the new ranch as I drove painfully slow; never having driving a truck and trailer before. When we arrived he unloaded Mystery and then he had me load him right back up again. Three times we loaded and unloaded him with no issues at all. I could not thank him enough….I never even knew his name.

But I did know where he worked. Halleck Creek has helped people with disabilities for over 30 years now. Therapeutic horseback riding is a valuable form of physical and mental therapy, as well as an effective way for people with disabilities to access rugged terrain. They are run by volunteers and rely on donations. I hope I have paid forward the favor over the years via donations. This young man unselfishly came through for me, a stranger, unasked when needed most. I will be forever grateful for that.

http://www.halleckcreekranch.org/view.cfm/3/About-Us

First Ranch - And Lesson on Human Character

Judy’s place was full of retired horses; old swaybacks and arthritic mares and geldings she had ‘collected’ over the years. The place was muddy, run down but had shelter and a small arena. Judy also fed her horses well; maybe too well. I made a promise to Mystery he and I have both kept to this day. “I won’t ever let you starve as long as you don’t buck me off”.

This was the first time Mystery had been off his ranch and he was a lost soul who couldn’t make friends. I felt pretty lost myself. Susan had died and I had no one to help me learn about taking care of my horse. I no longer had Susan’s sage advice.

I worked with Mystery every change I could get. Judy had an old saddle I could use in exchange for cleaning out an old shed on her property. Mystery was good natured and kept his patience with me. One day I did not tighten up the girth correctly. Just as I put my weight in the stirrup to mount, the saddle slid and I fell off. I looked up to see the saddle hanging under his belly and Mystery giving me a look like “you are so embarrassing!” Another type of horse would have run and bucked in panic but he just stood there and allowed me to loosen and reset it. Although he had been starved, he didn’t associate humans with starving or abusing him; but just with feeding him. I was lucky he had such an easy going personality.

Soon I saw a different side of Judy, one that I did not like. She had a run down arena type area which I used to practice riding. One day I set up plastic poles I found in there as very low jumps. Judy saw it and went into hysterics; of how I was abusing the horse and how would I like to whap my leg on plastic? She knew I was new to horses yet felt it would be better to yell and have a hissy fit instead of explain the problem. This was my first hint there would be problems with this ranch.

Judy had a little dog, Pepper, who loved to chase the horses and grab their tails. “Oh, the horses know they are just playing” she would say but I knew this really was not a good thing. I would see the dog nip a horse and the horse become very angry. I repeatedly asked her to not allow it but she ignored me and made fun of my concerns. One day I was riding in the back of her truck while she was feeding and the horses were following, helping her throw out bales of hay. She stopped and put the tailgate down and the horses came up. Mystery started feeding out of the back of the truck and Pepper snuck up on him and bit him, hard. Mystery kicked out (missed) and whirled around towards the dog but the dog was out of range. Mystery was so mad he just kicked out again….this time he hit the tailgate. I knew he was hurt but before I could say anything, Judy started yelling at me. “Oh you are going to over react, I know it! They are just playing, he isn’t hurt”….we got into a big argument then and I knew I had to get Mystery out of there, and fast…..