Have you ever...

Have you ever been so tired, and sweaty, and dirty that your toenails hurt? I didn't think it was possible but after today, let me tell ya... it's possible.

The farrier came this morning, as you know. Mike spent the rest of the morning moving the manure pile to the arena while I cleaned the barn. Bullwinkle has decided to use his hay for bedding, so I cleaned that up and cleaned up the dropped hay in the aisle of the barn.

I came in and made lunch, then I rototilled the arena, ran the drag around to smooth it out, and took care of the pm feeding. Whoopee, right? LOL! Turns out my toenails are too long and my shoes were too short. I tell ya though... that shower felt awesome!

Beau is walking much better. He's still guarded, but MUCH better. Turns out that the think on his bum isn't new and isn't growing. He's had it for a while and it's just on the skin, not attached to the muscle. I talked with the ex-wife and daughter of the former owner. The daughter remembers the spot. The mom commented that Beau has gained weight and looks much better. SO... I must be doing something right. Oh! Also, there is some "new meat" on the inside of his back legs. I'll try too get a picture tomorrow, I'm just too tired tonight.

Beau actually pinned his ears and took a run at Squirrel this afternoon. Then they touched noses and squealed. He must be feeling better.

So, from here forward, aside from the obvious need for weight gain, my concern is his foot. Or should I say feet.

Special Thank You to Seth Thompson, Beau's farrier. He charged me about 1/2 the normal fee for Beau, AND was late for his next appointment so he could help Mike and I smoosh in the epoxy and tape Beau's foot. I know he doesn't read this blog, but Thank You Seth! Your help is greatly appreciated!!

One more thing... Beau's front feet are two different sizes. Don't know if this is "standard" for Beau, or just for now.

Fancy Foot Work

The farrier came out this morning and took his time with Beau. He was "barely" able to get a shoe on that front left, Beau just doesn't have much hoof wall there. We got a two-part epoxy to try to fill in the gap between his shoes, sole, and wall. This will help seal the hole, and it will hopefully provide some support. The problem is, we didn't have quite enough. But it'll do for now. If we have to re-do it, we will. The farrier said that he noticed that Beau is a LOT more stable on three legs than he was a week ago, and that he looks a lot better too.

Putting in the Epoxy


The picture is blurry, but you can still make out the gap that didn't quite get filled in.





This is heavy duty, super sticky tape! And so begins the wrapping process.













The finished product.



Some more body shots.

Body Shots... NOT what you're thinking...

Beau got a bath and he's wet in the photos. I imagine that because of that the depth perception and his actual condition are skewed. But you can imagine what he will look like in just a few months. He still needs a LOT of weight on his topline and hindend - hips and legs. His tail got braided, the mud got washed off his back WITH SOAP, AND...I taped him. He's 14 hands, give or take. He's eaten 160 punds of feed in 9 days, almost 20 pounds a day. He started the feed through daily wormer, and will start the probiotic when it gets here.













Studiously ignoring "His Woman"


Throwing a snarl in Squirrel's general direct.

The Spot

Anyone know what this is?




My finger for reference


Body shots coming...

THANK YOU!!!

A HUGE heartfelt THANK YOU from me and Beau, for your generosity and your willingness to help with the astonomical expenses! The words just don't express my gratitude!!

Paradigm Farm (Melissa and Jason Webb), Nikki Wyatt, Bill, Denise, and Chelsea (aka Demon Seed) Zuidmeer, Jean Bunch, Debbie Roberts, and Sport Pony Magazine (Canada! Yes - It was enough!)

A total of $343 has been donated so far toward feed, farrier and vet costs.

Here's what I've spent so far:

Hay Pellets - 3 bags $37.33
Senior Feed - 1 bag $18.40
Farrier - trim $35.00
Fastrack Supplement $57.00
Senior Feed - 2 bags $38.97
Total $186.70

That leaves $156.30 for the work to be done on Sunday. Depending on how much the work costs, I'm going to start saving up for the vet bill, which I'm sure will make me choke.

I want to pull a blood panel, xray his feet, and float his teeth as a minimum. He's got a spot on his back leg, in the hollow below his hip, that needs looked at. You can see it in some of the photos... it shows up as a white spot. It's about the size of a dime, raised from the skin, but flat-topped. I'll try to get a close-up tomorrow.