Three times a day, we play the same game. I go into the feed room and close the door behind me. Or at least I think I do. If the doorknob latch doesn't engage completely, Lyle can pry the door open. Then he takes great pride in using his nose to slam it all the way open. Then I close the door again and finish gathering everyone's meal. Then Lyle opens the door again... it's a wonder anyone ever gets fed around here.
Lyle's wily ways have been part of his charm since the day he was born, and I'm on to him, so the feed-room door has a slide-bolt latch in addition to the doorknob.
One day last week, I got their dinners prepared and when I went to leave the feed room, I couldn't open the door. I was incredulous. I pushed, I banged, then pushed some more. Then I started to panic. Have I ever told you I'm claustrophobic?
The feed room is small and windowless. I'm too big to fit through the cat door, and there was no way out. I could call my neighbors, but they wouldn't be home from work for a few hours. So there I stood, banging and banging on the door. Like anybody was going to hear me! I kept trying the knob, but it was clear from the tension higher up on the door that the slide bolt was closed. How can that be? It's impossible! I'm the only one who could have closed it, and I'm on the other side! But still I kept pounding, and turning the knob, and pushing against the door with my considerable heft. After 20 of the longest minutes of my life, I turned the knob again and the door magically opened.
And there was Lyle.
Is there anything you could put inside that would allow you to slide that bolt if it happens again? Good thing Stinker Boy was there to let you out. Oh yeah, he was the one that caused you to be in that predicament in the first place!
ReplyDeleteAnimals are amazing creatures. Who said horses are dumb? I've never met one once. Did Lyle get an extra treat for releasing you from prison?
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Linda. You made my day.
Sandra
So opposable thumbs aren't all they're cracked up to be? You must have been torn between exasperation and gratitude toward your splendid Lyle!
ReplyDeleteI know that must have been a l-o-n-g 20 minutes for you, and I sympathize, but this "re-enactment" just about had me spit my coffee all over my keyboard!!! What a laugh I got first thing in the morning!!! Yep, that Lyle is definitely a stinker ... I love that first picture of him ... whatta look!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is the funniest thing I have ever heard. Lyle sounds like the best. I love horses with that kind of personality. We had a filly (Belle) and still have a gelding (Doc) like that. We were adding on to our barn, and our tools kept disapeering. When we would go after one of them for a tool they stole, the other would strike and take another. It was to funny when Belle went under the ladder and it got stuck on her big ole hind end. We we laughing so hard, she just walked around the pasture for about ten min with an A-frame ladder on her butt.
ReplyDeleteStephanie D
Silverville, IN
Better keep an eye on that horse!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I bet you won't let that happen again, how crazy is that!!!??. And, I bet you were never so happy to see Lyle. Wow, 20 minutes, that must have felt like a long long time. I'm glad you made it out OK.
ReplyDeleteI'm claustrophobic too and would have gone crazy in there. At least he had the decency to let you out after you learned your lesson. Now you will feed him on demand or become his hostage, unless you put a piece of duct tape or something over the bolt on the way in...
ReplyDeleteI got stuck in an elevator once for about an hour! EGADS! I'm glad the little stinker was there to open the door, but did he push it shut, too? You'll have to watch him!
ReplyDeleteWhat a story!
ReplyDeleteLinda
The Mane Point
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HORSE-RELATED MUSIC VIDEO?
Breathe, Bossy, Breathe. Just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean it's going to happen to You.
ReplyDelete(Amazing story.)
So Lyle must have made the connection that the bolt could lock you in or let you out. Little kids do the same thing. I had my toddler lock the entire family including himself out of the house many years ago. I supposed being locked out is better than being locked in if you are claustrophobic, though.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh my heart was pounding just reading your story..glad you got out..your animals are such characters...
ReplyDeleteOh my! I feel for you, and at the time, I smiling all over - Lyle is so clever! Over at Isthar's Ark, Arwen is the clever one. She opens taps when she wants fresh water and she knows how to cut rope with her hoofs and neck pulling. I'm sure she would learn even more tricks unless I kept her super stimulated with two outings per day.
ReplyDeleteGive Lyle a big kiss from me, I think he deserves it for letting you out again!
That would have had me freaking out! I'm claustrophobic too... Crazy horse! He sure is funny. :)
ReplyDeletethat was hilarious (since I wasn't the one trapped) thank goodness he decided to let you out. life is never dull with equine around
ReplyDeleteI'm still laughing over this story, Lyle is quite a horse indeed! This is another one of those stories I've just got to share with some of my friends...
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Amusing in the retelling but I think I would have been hyperventilating while it was happening. That's one clever horse...
ReplyDeleteYikes, lol! That's pretty crazy! What a smart horse, but dang. I bet you were saying "Look, you aren't getting fed if you lock me in here" among other things, lol.
ReplyDeleteOMG!...lol...that little rat. He's too clever for his own good, that guy! He sure does look rascally in the photos.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm....so now that he's figured out how much fun it is to lock you in there, what are you going to do tomorrow...?
Good grief! I'm claustrophobic too so I can sure sympathise with you! You might want to cut a hand-sized hole in the door next to that latch, then have a cover for it (on the inside) to keep rodents out. The next time you may not be so lucky. Or you could just tie Lyle up!
ReplyDeleteOh - ha ha ha ha! Funny guy! Now, had he really latched it shut or was he just leaning that healthy boy body against the door? :-) I'm sure he is certain that he rescued you and considers himself a horse hero!
ReplyDeleteShirley, that's a brilliant solution! I've been scratching my head trying to figure out an escape plan, and you've nailed it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI totally believe he did this. Animals figure things out so well sometimes! My horse unzipped my fanny pack zipper once with so much dexterity....I was shocked. Anyway, I would have panicked, too! Every time I go into the storage closet at work I fear I will get locked in there! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe your Houdini needs to go on tour??
Oh my! That is hilarious! You made my day with your tale of Mr Smartypants Lyle :) Who says animals don't have a sense of humour? I am so glad that you managed to get out without having to wait for your neighbours to come home!
ReplyDeleteha! I have two terriers who have locked me OUT of the barn on several occasions (until we wisely put the locks higher than terrier jumping height.) But then one of those terriers has figured out how to pull open the zipper of a laundry duffel and remove the used underwear that he likes to chew.
ReplyDeleteI think Lyle deserves his own "how to" blog.
ReplyDeleteI suspect movie producers will be 'banging on your door'. They're stupid if they don't. Being the animal lover that I am, I know of some of the smart things they are capable of. You'd swear they were human.
ReplyDeleteOh my! Most excellent re-enactment! I have a latch diddler too and I will be very mindful from now on!
ReplyDeleteOh My! How scary! I'd certainly be sure that I had my cell phone in my pocket at all times if I were you. That Lyle is a sneaky one. At least he let you out. Smart enough to know if mom was locked on the inside that no food would be coming out.
ReplyDeleteWow that must have had your knickers in a knot. Thank goodness Lyle was there to save, er help you. Ha!
ReplyDeleteOh My gosh that is so funny that he can do that the little goober! He looks like he is up to not good.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. Ya gotta love a horse that locks you in and then lets you out again. :)
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha. That was so funny, I read it twice. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! Aren't you thankful he loves you???
ReplyDeleteStinker.
I think you've got the makings of a good movie script here - Is Lyle a hero and a loverboy or a psycho-horse or both??? And we all know how photogenic he is -- Quick, get this horse an agent!
ReplyDeleteHahaha!!!! That is SOOOOO funny. My husband is a big horse fan (he was a 3-day eventer for many years) and laughed so hard I though he'd die. His comment: no need to opposable thumbs when you've got horse lips!
ReplyDeletei am claustrophobic so i almost passed out while reading this. i am so bad that at the local Walmart, the bathroom at the back has a hasp lock up high, with an open lock in it. i will not go in that bathroom unless the lock is closed. i found this story from your post today. what a story
ReplyDelete