Horses Running Wild Down The Road

How Getting Grounded, Speaking Softly and Moving Slowly Saved The Day

This morning at 6 am my husband tore up the driveway. He told me that a couple of horses were running loose near the road.

Still in my bathrobe, I lept off my window seat, I pulled on my Uggs, jumped on my bike and grabbed leadlines.

"Which way did they go?" I asked before tearing out the gate.

Two of my neighbors were already on it. Horse lovers instantly drop everything to capture loose horses before someone gets hurt.

These two sleek bays were hot and frantic. Michelle almost got a halter on one of them before he spooked and ran even closer to the road. I punched the pedals on my bike, circling around the back of them to keep them off the road. But they were quarter horses. Fit ones and they were gone in a flash.

hen, I couldn't see them but heard the clatter of their steel shoes on the asphalt and my heart sank. This road is hilly, you can't see over the top of the ridges until you crest them. Traffic moves at over 60 miles an hour.

I prayed. Then pushed hard to catch up with then. I circled around to their side and herded them off the road into the next driveway. If I stayed calm, I had them.

I took a moment to get settled and spoke quietly to both geldings.

Shivering in the chilled morning air, I formed a clear mental picture of what was to happen next. I wanted them to quit moving and lower their heads. They did. I wanted the horse with the star on its forehead to let me approach. He did. I took my time, stroking his soft neck and thanked him for trusting me. I slowly placed the halter on him and waited for Michelle to get the other gelding haltered.

We returned the relieved and sweaty bays to their sleeping owner. A gate had been left open. It happens.

They were home safe now.

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