subject: Playin Dangerously aka The Black Horse of Death: The Pool Story [print this page] Player at the age of 2 was all boy and all trouble! I was at my sister in laws (Bridgit) house in Vegas with Player for the weekend working on some trainingissues. As usual it was just us girls on a Saturday afternoon and we were all gabbin away while we groomed horses and watched them graze in the small patch of grass under her giant pine tree near the house and next to the pool. A month earlier one of her mares had foaled (my current horse Lexi) But her friend Robyn was there with her 2 year old as well and she was waiting for Bridgits other mare to foal. As we all lazed around I started wondering about the safety of the landscape.
Bridgit's house was settled on 1 square acre. House in the front, pool behind then the "fenceless arena" (big wide open dirt area) and the barn and corrals way in the back. The horses are always running around, hanging out on the back patio, and at times even "visiting" INSIDE the dining room. So with the 2 year olds and ofcourse the new filly around I asked Bridgit "aren't you ever worried about the horses falling in the pool?" She responded with an absolute "No! Never, the horses are aware of where the pool is" She was also very adamant that if this ever happened I should under no circumstances get in the water with the horse."They would probably kill you" she said. Hmmm This is cool! I couldn't wait to get my fence in! I was going to let my horses run ALL over my property!
The next morning (Sunday)I was scheduled to leave mid morning and we thought we would let all the horses run around for a few so Robyn and I could get a few pictures and watch the "kids" play. Her Zoie was very aware of her body and not as wild, playful, or energetic as my Player so we figured they would make good play mates. They were taking there second or third trip around the open area Robyn snapping pictures from the relative saftey of the cooldeck with Zoie running and Player hot on her tail. Zoie running straight for the pool Player on her six and at the last possible moment Zoiemade a sharp rightand Player didn't!
He flew past Robyn (still snapping pictures) and his feet hit that cooldeck with those brand new ultra light, slick new shoes. Once he started to slide there was no stopping him. He tried gallantly to put on the brakes for over 15 feet of cooldeck but in the end the momentum of his 1000 pound body won the war. Robyn still snapping pictures as he flies by her she screams "OHHHHHH SHOOOOT" He slid head first into the fiberglass pool so fast that he t-boned the OTHER side of the pool cracking the brickwork on the otherside. Crystal and Ivoiced synonymous thoughts "Oh NOOOO" Bridgit screaming at me across the arena "Sherry don't you dare go in" as I ran to the pool intent on saving my horse. What the hell did I thinkwe weregoing to do when I was in there with him, do laps together? His legs came out of the water first and we all thought he had broke his neck. Sure enough if a few seconds his head surfaced and by now we had all gathered poolside holding our breath to see if he could swim. My mind was working frantically where was I going to find a crane on a Sundaymonrning to get him out, how could we keep him afloat and sedate him? How long could he last before he gave up? He started laps in the deep end of the pool and we were all relieved until he hit the shallow end. His shoes against the slick fiberglass bottom of the poolwouldn't allow him to stand up and the stairs were no bigger that 8 inches each. He seemd to be more comfortable swimming in the freezing water of the deep end than working on getting out. Crystal (niece) ran back to the barn to get a lead rope and looped it around his neck to guide him again to the stairs. He crawled out on his knees. And again we were all holding our breath to see if he would be able to get up on his feet or even walk again. The little booger jumped up and shook off the water and ran back towards the barn!
We all expelled the pent up breath and I took in the scene. At some point Robyn had stopped taking pictures and picked up the pool brush! What did the pool look dirty? I had taken off my sweatshirt was this in prep to jump in or??? and Crystal who had all but single handedly resuced my horse was completely dry except for the butt of her jeans. It is at this point I realized that Crystal had learned how to walk sidways with her ass cheeks as she guided him to the stairs! And of course Bridgit who as usual looked well put together and completely unruffled by the experience and more concerned about us 3 than anything else in the world. I knew at this moment that this black horse was going to be the death of me.
Unfortunately Robyn stopped taking photos because she thought it would be RUDE! We all had a good laugh over THAT! I mean REALLY? How many times in ones life does a horse fall in a pool? Hopefully only once! If this happens to you TAKE PICTURES!
Playin Dangerously aka The Black Horse of Death: The Pool Story
