A Baby Boomer Dreams of Arabian Horses - Down a Rocky Road Part 2

Part 1 of the Baby Boomer Series

Down A Rocky Road Part 1

Before I continue with this story, I want to clarify a couple of things. These horses had been going out together for years, at this point. Occasionally I might change up the mix of who was with who, but each horse in that field had been out with the other many, many times with not even a sign of a problem.

The gelding in question, Mark, had never shown this level of aggression towards another horse as long as I had owned him. He was, and still is, a sweet, sweet gelding.

This entire display was unlike anything I had ever seen before then. I have seen it since when I experienced a stallion savaging a mare. If you have ever been witness to such an occurrence, you'd know the mare is unable to run the aggressor of or stop him in any way.

Back to my story.........

The whole time the horses raced away from me, the incensed gelding dove fiercely at the terrified mare.How that gelding knew what to do to control the movements of the mare, I do not know, but he did. It was like he drove her exactly where he wanted her to go, away from me, away from the creek, away from Aidol.

I watched in horror as the horses closed in on the corner I'd hoped to use in my favor only to see the gelding charged out in front of the mare. He reached the fence far enough ahead of the mare to make a safe turn and lunge fiercely back at Scandalous.

The galloping mare pulled up abruptly in a half rearing movement trying to change direction to avoid the attacking horse. The mare raised up her front end in a sweeping motion attempting to make a 180 ° change of direction. As her front legs hit the height of her head, her back legs went out from underneath her spread eagle. A strange wave washed over her face as Scandalous collapsed in a heap.

My heart stopped. I knew the sheer force of all of that weight, speed and power changing directions so abruptly could only be devastating. But the mare started to stir. She raised herself up to her feet for a brief instance and then as a pleading look crossed her face, the horse collapsed again.

The enraged gelding descended upon the downed mare, striking and biting as furiously as if the mare were fighting back. Before I could even call a vet to help my mare, I had to catch the demon horse attacking her.

I managed to chase Mark off and get him cornered, thankful for all the round pen dominance work I had done. Once I had the halter on him the horse directed his attention towards me, following me willing out of the field. I tied him to the horse trailer and then raced to call the vet.

The closest vet was unavailable. All I got was a service so I called over to the barn of GS Khochise. I knew they were doing breeding work that morning and a vet should be there. Explaining what happened, they dropped everything and headed my way even though I told them I thought it was too late.

Meanwhile out in the field in a heart wrenching scene, Aidol was gently nudging his mother. The gelding had his head dropped down, nuzzling her face speaking softly and urging the lifeless mare to get up. Tears streamed down my face and the sobs were strangling, deep in my heart I knew.

I caught Aidol and put him back in his stall despite his protestations. Then, there was Mark standing silently at the horse trailer to deal with. I put the horse away too before I headed back to the porch to wait for the vet. I couldn't bring myself to the side of the downed mare. My heart just could not take it, I knew I couldn't help her.

When the vet arrived, he scaled my fence rushing to the fallen mare. Even as they'd pulled into my drive he'd told Betty the mare was gone but that didn't stop him from wanting to, needing to help. He had to see for himself if there wasn't something he could do to save her.

Ernie Grubb will always have a special place in my heart for the kindness and compassion exhibited on that day. I remember his words, "It's just such a waste! Such a beautiful mare......my God, what a waste!"

To be continued...........

Part 3
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