[Born2Ride]

I arrive at the paddocks this morning to feed breaky and there's that one horse that isn't on his way to the feed bin to meet me. I pull up, get out whilst scanning the paddock for him. Not under the trees, not lying down in the sunshine, not there! Start scanning the rest of the property - trying to do a head count on the way. Not there, not there, not there. Where the bloody hell is he? I'm looking way over in the distance now - there were some new agistees put out in that massive paddock yesterday and I know he was wanting to befriend them last night. But no, there's no rugged horse out with them. But what if he managed to get his rugs off escaping through the fence! There is a dark horse out there, but only one (as there was last night) and he doesn't look big enough, anyway. Oh god - what if he's still stuck in the fence trying to escape? Can't see him. I stare at that big tree in the back corner of his paddock, waiting for any sign of movement. It's a lovely big tree with branches and leaves that drape down to the ground. Can't see any movement. He must be in the fence behind the tree. He must have stopped moving. I'm too late. Oh god. What if, what if, what if I'm too late? What am I gonna do without him!?

Keep in mind - all these thoughts have happened in a matter of about 10 seconds, right?

So I grab my phone and head out into the paddock. Vet is speed dial #4. How can I get him out of the fence. I'm six months prega's and no one's around. Vet could take ages. Who can help. Thinking - she's away, he's away, I still don't know enough people! God, what if I'm too late? I feel sooooo sick.

So I've taken about five paces into the paddock when out he walks from under the tree, perfectly camoflaged by his canvas. He jogs up to me, bright as a button as if to say, "G'day Mum, you're a bit early this morning. I didn't even notice you arrive!"

Gotta love 'em!

[Purelle78]

Cheeky little bugger

Then they look at ya - whats wrong mum you look stressed

Gotta love em when they do that to you.

[Werdun]

Yep, I know that feeling. I remember one day in particular when I walked out to see my two geldings in their paddock....and was greeted by an empty paddock. I walked along the top so that I could see the whole paddock, called out, was scanning the horizon looking for signs. Called again. Scanned the fenceling looking for wires down (not the same horses who used to jump out and put themselves back). Was just about to panic and get the car to start looking around the neighbourhood. Called once more.....and two heads popped out of the grass! They'd been lying flat out, fast asleep in the long grass!

[Le Le]

Oh and dont forget the lying flat out and not hearing you.... playing dead is also not fun!

[Born2Ride]

Ha ha yeah what about when they're lying down and it's raining! That's one that makes you think they're on death's door - but no. Sometimes they just don't care!

[cyrus]

Classic moments- nothing is worse than not seeing ones horse anywhere.
the flat out one makes me much worse LOL

my worst one was mostly my horses are in the shed with noses hanging out- or outside somewhere.
We put new sand in, I wandered about the corner of my shed, not realising my appy was flat out in there, OMG- we scared the living daylights out of each other.
I have never seen horse spring to its feet- Stop LOOK , 2 steps out- Oh its you.
we both just had cuddle and went arrrggggHHH. Pheww

[celebrity]

Haha, I gave my neighbour a heart starter today!

My neighbour's horses came onto my property, so get out of bed and catch the two, stick them in a spare paddock and set off, in my rainbow candy stripe pyjamas and gum boots to the other end of the estate to tell the owners that I have their horses. Have to run into everybody along the way walking their dogs. How embarrassing! Turns out the horses have been all over and the police are now door knocking (which, if they are, which I doubt, they're useless at because they missed my house with the horses) Anyway, get to the neighbour's house and knock on the door, and again, and again. Eventually the man come downstairs in his dressing gown, clearly woken up. I explain the situation and you can tell he's thinking: but the horses are right there, in that paddock. Took a long time for him to realise that the paddock is empty! Naturally, his wife was faster on the uptake

Poor chap just came back to drop off a lead rope I lent them (their's broke as they were leading one of the horses, typical!) He's still shocked!

[El_equine]

Two weeks ago, we had done some fencing, OH left the electric fence off overnight. I get there the next morning, one pony missing. The exterior fences are awful and panic set in. Ran around calling the little shetty, found him hiding behind the wood pile having smooches with the next door neighbours horses and eating the long green grass, he was fine.
Me I just about had heart failure!

[Jappeloup]

Nice to bring back some old topics, El -Equine,. I have a story to tell as well

3 years ago I worked as a backpacker in a private horse riding center. We get to the stables and the gate was open. At the end of the hall we saw Norman (Russian Draft horse) and Many (annoying little Welsh pony) having a free "buffet" at the meadow hay stack. My colleague was furious. She stormed at them to chasse them away. They turned around the corner. And then ...a yell. I straitght away went to see what happened and Norman was "hanging" over the other gate. He tried to jump but the other half didn't make it. He looked worried but we stayed calm and talked to him. I got some tools and we got the gate down. He was a bit sore but the next he was as happy as larry again.