I went to feed our 3 horses…Texas, Tuff and Goodnight (after Charlie Goodnight) he is the new horse. It was close to 9:00 PM this evening, because I like to keep the horses on a schedule that allows about a 3 hour variable in the evening when it is riding season so they do not expect and then demand supper at the same time each evening. So if we are on trail no one gets upset about supper. This is very important to “everyone”.
The dogs and I are all on the Gator and head down across the dam to feed. But only 2 horses show up! Texas and Goodnight. No Tuff! Oh No! This is NOT GOOD! He does not come up and it is getting dark fast! I go on the Gator to look for him. Not a sign of him anywhere! This is really bad! It is unusual for one horse to leave his herd! Maybe something is bad wrong?! Okay, several trips around the 8 rolling hilly acres and it is tall with grass! No Tuff! I did nearly run one huge skunk over! It was saying eek eek eek!
I hurry back to the house to get things like a flash light, extra batteries, gatorade, cell phone, halter, emergency kit, and I change clothes and shoes! Dusk now! I look all over our pasture NO TUFF! I did see where they had been hanging out next to the Woods property. Hum, I wonder could he have crossed that fence? I see no evidence, so I hurry to Momma’s and call the neighbor Chris , he is not home. but says I am Welcome to look in their pasture. It is huge and I wind up at the old pond my Daddy and I use to sneak in and fish at (that is another story!) No Tuff! I search the mountain field, then Richard’s bottoms…Not one long hair to be found!
It is really dark now and Les calls (I do not answer) He has had a rough day and is in Tennessee he can’t do anything but worry! So I wait to tell him I have lost his horse!
I watch the other two horses that are down to the “Loafing area” Texas whinnies, No answer! I am thinking the worst now! But praying Lord Let Me Find Tuff Please!
Then in the dark, across the ditch and fence line there appears Tuff! UNHARMED! I catch him and tie him to a tree and try to figure out how to get him out of there! I need strong wire cutters and help so I call my brother! He and my Cousin David come to my rescue!
Then it is all quickly over! Tuff, Texas and Goodnight are all in the barn tonight! Boy do I have some fence work to do!
All is well that end well!
