Have you ever tried mud skiing? I have and didn’t even need any specialist ski equipment. The only problem was that I only managed to stay upright and on my feet for approximately ten seconds! Never mind, I am sure that the potential is there.
I hadn’t gone out the door that morning with the intention of trying a new extreme sport. I was simply going for a nice run, with the dogs for company.
It was a lovely spring morning, dry and bright, but underfoot conditions were a little hazardous on the off road sections due to excessive rain over the previous fortnight. As a result of the conditions, I made a spontaneous decision to take a slightly different route, one which I knew had a good solid track for most of its length. Plus it is nice to be adventurous every now and again and experience new scenery and interesting trails – for the dogs and myself.
And so the run commenced, with all four of us in joyous spirits as we merrily trotted along, down through the village and up towards the track. We ran along the track for about approximately one mile, when I noticed in the distance that there were some pig houses. For anyone not familiar with the habitat of free-range pigs, each female has its own enclosure with a little pig house to sleep in. These she-pig enclosures are divided up using electric fencing.
When I saw the pigs I must admit that I was not particularly concerned. The dogs have run past pigs on numerous occasions and had never previously shown an extreme hunting interest. Perhaps the dogs know that pigs are a formidable force to contend with. Or perhaps it is because pigs tend to just stand still and stare at passers-by and not run away (like sheep do), evoking the predator/ prey response, either way pigs are not normally a problem. I pulled the dogs close to me (just to be sure), and keeping a close eye on the movement of the sows, we continued down the track passing each enclosure.
Everything was going to plan, no problems and completely under control. We only had one sow and a large barn to pass and then there would be a hedge between the pigs and us. I didn’t even give the large barn a second thought, just assumed that it contained the weekly rations of straw and pig food. If only I had known then, what I learned that day…
Those large barns are the piglet nurseries. They are where the little baby pigs live, in huge herds probably in excess of 100.
As we ran alongside the barn, the little sleeping pigs awoke and started charging out as fast as their little trotters could move. Screaming in frenzied excitement.
The barn was situated about twelve feet back from the track we were on, with the entrance/ exit at the far side and electrical fencing forming a channel that all the pigs had to run down, parallel to the track, to access the main field.
As you can probably imagine, when the first piglet appeared the dogs went into hyper-drive. Little pigs, running and squealing on maximum level are a completely different prospect than full grown angry sows. All the piglets screamed in panic and surged towards the fence. Kai was already planning his menu for the day: bacon for breakfast; sausages for lunch; pork chops for dinner – yummee!
I tightened my grip on all of their leads and held on for dear life. No matter what, I was determined that no dog was getting anywhere near those pigs.
When Huskies are at full strength and absolutely determined it would take a phenomenally strong person to hold them back. Each dog is easily capable of pulling six times its own weight, and with me being a mere eight stones, all bets are off as to whom will win this battle of strength.
And so my mud skiing experience began, or to be more precise, pig pooh/ mud sliding experience, As the dogs edged forward I was pulled behind them in a rather inelegant fashion. I started to panic as I physically was not strong enough to hold them and urgently needed more resistance to stop them reaching the pigs. I threw myself onto the ground and started sinking into the pooh-mud, perhaps I could anchor myself into the sludge....
To no avail. Even flat on the floor the dogs continued to drag me, straight towards the electric fence.
Kade hit it first, screamed once and then was through to the other side, collar partially stuck on the wire. I managed to lock Krofti's lead to slow him down getting through to the other side.
And then I saw a lifeline....
A tree trunk was partially protruding from the mud, I reached if and wrapped leads and body around it. I just had to hold on for a few more minutes. Just until the last piglet had emerged.
I closed my eyes and prayed. I would not say that I was a religious person, but I prayed to someone and my prays were answered. The last piggy emerged and ran safely to the centre of the field.
I stayed down for a few minutes until the dogs had settled a little, stopped their screaming. I pulled myself from the mud/ pig pooh sludge and unwrapped Kade from the electric fence. The fence was completely destroyed, but at least no piglet life was lost. And.... I had no broken bones, just very bruised and battered and very,very smelly. I am sure as I looked across to all the pigs (very attentive audience, adults and all) that they were all laughing through their little piggy snouts.
It was several months until I was able to run past that field, even longer until I could pass the Farmer's house!! I wonder if he ever found out how his fence was destroyed. Maybe one day when I am famous..... I will confess!!
P.S. I must admit, I did buy sausages for the dog's dinner that evening!!
P.P.S. It did strengthen my desire to one day try proper skiing. Perhaps that could be classed as Dream Number 5....
