By the time I realized my mistake, going back was nearly as bad as going forward. I turned to my donkeys and told them, "we can do this, but you have to stay close and be careful". And they did. Emma followed me and Ramsey followed her. Carefully, watching and placing each foot in just the right spot, never panicking when the right spot turned out not quite so right after all.
The end of the swamp is marked by a little ravine, not big, but a steep, slippery drop down into a rocky, slippery streamlet. All the books will tell you that donkeys don't like crossing water and mine were none too pleased with the idea. I showed Emma the path down several times, she watched and worried, pacing the edge several times and then I asked her to trust me and take the leap. And she did.
Ramsey thought about it briefly, followed after and then it was through one more little ditch, around a dead tree and we were on solid ground once more. When we got home, Emma took the lead, heading straight for the best apple tree. I willingly and gladly followed, trusting her to know best. Those were well earned apples.
I'm glad it ended well. I didn't really expect to see a blog entry tonight, but took a chance. I hope you're feeling better and on the road to recovery. I could feel your tension in your words. I hope you gave yourself a treat, too, after you got Emma and Ramsey safely settled. Take care. I followed you here from the 7MSN blog when Ramsey was in such bad shape and thoroughly enjoy your blog. You are obviously well attuned to your animals and make it a point to educate yourself about their well-being. I'm impressed with your knowledge in so many areas.
ReplyDeleteDid you mow while you were sick? :( That grass looks short!
ReplyDeleteI think I have my own photo of 'the best apple tree'! Like Peg, I was happy to see a post.
Glad you made it out safely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture .
I hope you feel better soon, and I can imagine that your wrong turn was a tad on the scary side. Not as in OMG scary but more like a "Well Crap" scary. I love that Emma trusted you enough to follow you through and every one made it home safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteI've done that too! With one donk in tow (not 2) but have found myself in some pretty dicey terrain. The great thing about donkeys is that they tend to figure things out and not panic. I was lost in the dark once with Dorrie and everywhere we turned was broken old fencing, some barbed wire, fallen trees and hardly a place for a hoof - that was the worst, but I'm a persistent bush-whacker so it's bound to happen again!
ReplyDeleteGood trusting donkeys that Emma and Ramsey! It's always interesting to watch a donkey cross water for the first time. Mine have to cross a creek to get into the pasture(4 ft. wide, 3 inches deep). Our 3rd/4th donkeys was a jenny and her 4 week old foal. Nope, not gonna step in that! With a little talking a got the foal to cross but not mom. The foal then started to follow the other donkeys up into the pasture. Mom only let it get so far then she yelled "get back here"! This went on for about a week before mom cross over. :-)
ReplyDeleteEverything Peg said! We all know you don't do stupid things, so I'm going to believe it was part of Emma and Ramsey's education. You've got 2 very fine donkeys and they deserved every apple they "picked".
ReplyDeleteNancy in Iowa
I'm so glad no one panicked!
ReplyDeleteYour photo could be called a peek at a enchanted forest resting spot. An adventure that ends well feeds the soul.
ReplyDeleteDonks are so great! Such beautiful souls. I broke my leg, but I really wanted to let my two donks graze outside their muddy paddock last week. I took the risk to do that with my leg stil in a plaster cast. I aked them to come into their stables to put the halters on, so I wouldn't have to get into the mud, then let them out. they were so calm and easy on me! and went back into their paddock after a while, just following my lead, never pushed or pulled. They knew they ha to be careful and they did. Hope you get well soon, so you can have lots of nice donkey walks...
ReplyDeleteI think you donkeys did show you that they can handle it. How wonderful for them to do so for you. They don't panic, they sometimes seize up and don't move!
ReplyDeleteI once rode a donkey down a trail and ended up in a rocky ravine. I was going to dismount and turn her loose but she calmly picked her way out of the mess I put her in.