It was High Noon at Bedlam Farm this morning, a long standoff between our headstrong pony Chloe and Red, one of the world’s most professional border collies.

Red was standing in the outer pasture, keeping an eye on the sheep when Chloe, a territorial and fiercely independent pony came in the pasture and made a bee-line for Red. Chloe does not step aside for any thing except Maria and I thought of calling Red off – he and Chloe have had some confrontations.

But there was plenty of room for Red and Chloe to maneuver and Red has been around horses his whole life, he can handle himself. I decided to stay out of it, mostly a good idea with animals and their feuds. Red is very savvy. Chloe is very stubborn. Red will never abandon his duty, he would sit outside in the same position and starve to death of I didn’t bring him into the farm house and release him.

It was a monumental confrontation in Bedlam Farm terms, the sheep were mesmerized, the two strongest personalities in the pasture confronting one another. The donkeys made themselves scarce – donkeys are very smart – and scooted back to the pasture. Fate ran behind me and watched from safety.

Her ears were not back and she wasn’t snorting, so I watched She stood and lowered her head, Red completely ignored her and never took his eyes of the sheep, he is the Gary Cooper of dogs, nerves of steel.

I don’t know how long the two of them stood like that, Chloe could easily have walked right past him on either side, she had plenty of room, but ponies are headstrong and temperamental, this was her pasture and she was not going to go around him, am animal game of chicken.

Chloe moved closer and blocked Red’s view of the sheep, and I knew that would get to him. I took a photo, of course. This did get to him, he just moved about one foot to his left, where he could see the sheep again and ignored Chloe. She got what she wanted and declared victory, she walked right past him and the stand-off was over.

It was the best kind of stand off because nobody really won. The animals figured it out, as they often do, given the chance. I did hold my breath a bit, but stood my ground. Red is a thorough professional, I knew he would figure it out and still do his job.

He wasn’t going to let any fight with a pony distract him from his duties, and it was kind of funny seeing him slide one foot to the side as if nothing was happening.