28 March 2007

When I first started this blog some of my readers were quite surprised that horses actually had personalities and could play, just like a child would.

This is a series of pictures taken a few years ago of my stud colt with a feed sack that had blown into his enclosure. He is an amazing horse. I can't remember if I told you that when he was 18 months old I found him hanging from his one front leg which was wedged between two panels of the round pen. He had reared up and got his legs over the pen (which you can see in the background) and when he struggled to get back down must have had one leg slip between into the gap which was stopped by the latch that held the panels together. He was laying on his back in 12 inches of snow suspended from the leg with his back just touching the ground and thank heavens didn't struggle or he would have been history, broken leg or damaged tendon or worse. My husband called for help and our neighbors and his nephew came and managed to get the frozen panels apart so we could get his leg out. It was a very bad cut that extended from the front of his fetlock (joint just above the hoof) round to the back of his pastern (thin part directly above the hoof). It went three quarters of the way around. The vet wanted to put him down there and then but I wouldnt let him. I tended that wound every day (it was -6F that night and -8F the next night which was Christmas day) for over four months. He was so good with letting me handle his leg, soaking, cleaning, washing and bandaging it without any problems, he just stood and let me do my thing. He didn't come out of the stable for that whole period because we couldnt let him do any more damage. As a result I used to give him all sorts of things to amuse him. His favorite was when I tied four coke bottles (plastic) together and threw them in and he would throw them in the air, stomp on them and rub them up and down the fence to make a big noise, bite them and have a great game. So when he got the feed sack I wasnt surprised and fortunately had my camera handy. Anyway so far (although I havent done much riding with him) he seems to be sound and hasnt shown any signs of pain in the leg so hopefully he will be okay and lead a normal happy life. I dont think he will be able to do heavy work so I intend to geld him after we have used him to breed a bit, and trail ride with him.

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Here he is trying to stomp on it LOL

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Well we are still waiting for the baby to arrive, this mare always keeps us guessing and then one morning when I least expect it I will go out to feed and find a baby looking at me!

It has been raining on and off since last night and has been a bit cold today. I brought them all in for the night.

Had a bit better day, although I am still struggling to feel positive. I decided to post these pics because I am getting some more pictures together for that project I was working on and came across these and thought it would be interesting for you guys to see.

Thanks to you all for your comments and well wishes I appreciate them and you all know that even though I dont get to comment every day you are all in my thoughts. Thanks so much.

(((((HUGS)))))))

Lori