I was on Cloud Nine with Indy!
I felt as though I was living the dream, my dream. Indy seemed to love what she was doing, and I loved doing it with her.
The following morning I caught Indy again. We would be moving another herd of cattle, this time we would gather them from three different fields and head them into another. Indy and I were sent off on our own, since she could travel quickly for long distances without tiring.
I had so much fun with her! She covered the ground like she was born to do it. We gathered all the cattle and their calves and began heading toward the fence opening.
Jennifer gave me further instruction to take the lead and head for the rock jack at the far corner of the field. Indy went without question, I turned to look back and the calves were scattering like bunny rabbits!
Oh no!!
Jennifer said just keep going with the cows to the far corner. When I got there I didn’t know what to do with them. I just kept trotting Indy back and forth trying to keep the cows together. What to do, what to do….
I saw Martin trotting towards motioning me to meet him.. Uh, oh……I began telling Indy that I thought we might be getting ourselves into trouble, so I began to prepare myself for further instruction on how to fix the mess that Indy and I had created.
Martin had a big smile on his face…..what a relief. He said we were doing fine, just go open the gate and let them through. Indy was so awesome! I had falling even more in love with this amazing mare!
My throat was on fire, my head pounding, my voice gone! I think I had lost it sometime during the sand storm. I couldn’t even whisper. I decided that maybe I ought to try and catch a quick nap before we started working with the colts later today. Maybe I would feel better, except the blacksmith was coming to put shoes on Shinan.
Martin said to go rest and he would oversee the shoeing. I must’ve fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Someone was knocking on my door, in a fog I said come in, it was Martin.
He said there’s been an accident. Your mare went through the fence. She’s okay, I just wanted you to know. I will take care of her. You don’t need to come out.
Trying to wake myself up, I asked which mare, he said the one you were riding this morning. I was out the door as quick as flash. I was in no way prepared for what I was about to see.
Indy’s chest was hanging open. There was a huge gash on her left thigh, and her left foot looked detached when she tried to walk. There was blood everywhere.
Jen told me that they had already called the vet. He was on his way. I wanted to ask questions, but I couldn’t. My vocal chords weren’t working. My throat was so choked that I couldn’t even whisper.
How could this have happened?
Indy was tied to the gate as people were trying to stand her still to hose her off and see how much damage was done.
I felt sick.
I hadn’t even been here three days and my mare was badly hurt.
What was I thinking?
Whatever possessed me to think I could fit into the cowboy world?
I was quickly distracted when Heidi said, "Kim, they are starting the colts in a few minutes. Will you be bringing Phantom in?"
I nodded that I would.
The vet had Indy sedated. He was sewing her back together. Jennifer was wrapping her leg and told me there was nothing more that we could do.
It would become a waiting game to know if she would heal.
I was in a daze.
I watched as Martin worked with Phantom in the round corral. She was difficult and unwilling. He had roped a hind foot to try and help her sort out her lack of confidence. She was protesting loudly. I couldn’t watch any longer.
I needed to get some air – get some air. Here I was at the Alvord Ranch in the middle of a desert and I needed air.
I don’t know of a place where I could’ve gotten much more air than that.
Ranch life is not for the faint of heart. This is a rugged place. The strong survive. East Coast horses in the Western world: oil and water.