Master Jones, Toronado and Sestina

Here is another example of an animal processing data and making a quick, and effective decision for a solution...quicker than I can often make myself. Master Jones, lovingly called Jonsey was a miniature horse, only about 37 inches tall. Jonsey was a stallion when I picked him up on his 13h birthday. My Tennessee Walker mare was in heat when I brought him home. He decided that he was going to breed Sestina, 2 1/2 times his size, if he killed himself and even me in the process. And, she was willing to have him complete the act, no matter what it took. A friend told me I had the only Tennessee Walker on the planet that needed knee pads!

Needless-to-say, I had him gelded as soon as I could. But, it was too late in life for him to give up his stallion ways. Sestina was his woman and no other guy was going to get near her. So, he incessantly chased poor Toronado, my quite large Peruvian Paso gelding. Toronado has never wanted any trouble with anyone, so he ran and ran and ran. Jonsey would chase him so long that the next day poor little Jonsey could barely walk. So, it became imperative that I separate them and only let one of them in the pasture with Sestina at a time.

After a month of this torture, being kept away from the green grass, I decided to try it again. I know that animals understand everything we say, so I said to Jonsey several times, "If you chase Toronado, I will put you up." At first things seem to be going well. Jonsey and Toronado were grazing. Sestina was watching, apparently knowing this was never going to last. I saw Jonsey's head come up and face toward Toronado, whereby I said, "Jonsey, I mean it! If you chase Toronado, I will lock you in your stall." Back he went to grazing. So, silly me, I thought it was handdled and turned toward the house. Immediately Jonsey went after Toronado, and the chase was on! For some ridiculous reason, I began to chase them both, like I could actually catch Jonsey on foot and without a halter!

Sestina stood up by the paddock looking at us all like we were crazy. I was so worried that Toronado, even without meaning to, would accidentally kick Jonsey and put out an eye. I looked at Sestina and said, "Don't just stand there. Help me. You be the Mama. In a spit second, she decided what to do and did it. She ran between Toronado and Jonsey, effectively keeping them apart, until I obtained some grain with which to lure Jonsey to me so that I could halter him. Food always had the highest priority with Master Jones. I was able to catch Jonsey and put him up as I had threatened.

How did she know what to do? How did she decide the right course of action so quickly? Her thinking was clearer than mine. Her decision more effective. And, we are called the more evolved species! Perhaps we are all, humans and animals evolved, with similar but somehow different abilities. Neither higher or better than the other. Look around you. Please watch the animals. Really watch the animals. You may be surprised at what you learn.