Sissy's Escapades

Of the eight horses in residence, Sissy is the youngest, and the smallest.  I think she's going through the equivalent of the human teenage, rebellious years.   Not content with the many, many acres of pastureland she has access to, Sissy is escaping the confines of the fence & helping herself to greens & such, up near the house.  This is her 4th escape....THIS year.  We haven't yet figured out HOW she's getting out. 

This last escape, Honey worked for nearly 20 mins. trying to coax her back through the gate & into the pasture.  She wasn't cooperating.  In fact, I think she thought it was a great game!    I finally went outside to try & help.  Wanted to get her headed back in the direction of the barn, but she had plans of her own.  She veered right & zipped through the gate into the front pasture.  Wasn't where we wanted her, but there she was!  Honey, frustrated by now, shouted at me to close the gate!  He said she could just 'stay there awhile till she learns to behave'. 

It's been 3 days now.  Sissy is so pitiful!  She can see the other horses in the far pasture and continually whinny's and nickers, calling to them.  They don't seem to hear, or else they're ignoring her.  Some of them probably think she got what she deserved & needs to be taught a lesson.   When her cries go unanswered, Sissy gallops around the pasture, kicking & snorting her displeasure.  She has checked the entire perimeter of the pasture & cannot find a way out.  Sometimes, I think she's considering jumping the fence!  She slowly backs away from it, as if counting paces, or measuring distance, then runs full tilt toward the fence....screeching to a halt, just before she hits it.  (She KNOWS it's an electric fence) I can't stand the look in her eyes.  I take her apple treats & pet her, trying to soothe & comfort her.  She is not to be consoled.....but she doesn't turn down the treats.

As Honey was walking to the shop this morning, he saw what he thought were fresh horse tracks outside the pasture & up the drive between the house & the shop.  Once he determined that the other seven horses were accounted for, he dismissed it.  Said, 'well, maybe they just look like fresh tracks in the gravel'.  I, too, put the matter out of my mind. 

Later, I just happened to look toward the road, and there, in the front drive, was a fresh pile of horse dung!  I know it was NOT there when I drove up that drive at 5pm yesterday on my way back from town. 

So....if Sissy is still contained in the front pasture where we left her....and the other seven are accounted for in the far back pasture....WHAT HORSE CAME CALLING LAST NIGHT??

Perhaps Sissy has a 'boyfriend'??  Is THAT why she kept escaping the pasture??  Has she been sneaking out at night to meet him??  Is that what the dogs were raising hell about last night??

So many unanswered questions! Where is a 'horse-whisperer' when you need one??