>>>> Well, she didn't really *run* away... she sauntered.
Yesterday, I went to bring Runa in for a session - she lives in the same pasture with Angie, my "project" horse. Angie is still a little hesitant about humans in the pasture, but is getting better. To feed them, I usually bring Runa in first and Angie follows, just a little behind. Since in her past life, she was chased into the stall anytime she needed to come in, I've vowed that I will NOT chase her... certainly not unless something desparate is going on. Well, yesterday, I forgot to shut the stall door when I walked through the stall to get Runa out of the pasture. After all, I had Runa on a lead and Angie FOLLOWS...right? Wrong. I underestimated how comfortable Angie is getting and she went on into the barn ahead of us - and out the open door on the other side! Oops - loose horse, a "nervous" one with no halter nor leadline attached. Luckily she sauntered out the end of the barn that is enclosed, stopping to speak to Skjoni who was already in a stall. I calmly walked past her, to the feed bin, and got a cup of "lite" feed, and took it into another stall. She followed me right in. My gut was to grab for her, since I don't know how she'd do yet in the wide open spaces, but I was certainly pleased that she was so blase about the experience, very calm. I'm also glad I kept my wits and acted like nothing was up - I sweated bullets for a few minutes, since she's still somewhat of an unknown quantity. She was only loose maybe a minute or two at most. I'll be more careful to shut that gate behind me next time, nontheless... Karen Thomas, NC
