Most preposterous horse injuries

I now know Mag is beyond normal. Beyond the scale of potential injuries available to horses.

We have worked so hard to make our farm safe. You all were with me when we built it, giving us tips! And you were right. Lately he's turned up with wounded front legs from the metal threshold to our stall.

My husband consulted a barn builder and they agreed to add wooden rails alongside the metal, to shield it from horse contact. So far it's working, every time Mag goes in the stall, to eat hay or escape bugs, he drags his forelegs across the new wood and doesn't contact the metal.

I was hopeful, that our only danger flaw was covered.

His last 3 big leg wounds were slowly healing. I had hoped, before our guests would arrive.

I learned last year Mag is never allowed in the orchard again, cuz he lay down and rolled next to a T post and has a permanent criss cross scar on his most special left hind leg.

Today I was taking yard waste down to the creek and tossed the empty bag at Mag. He did his freak-out-kicking thing and kicked that bag. It caught on his leg and extended the stress for him a bit. Oh my.

I can sack him out with anything, but he's still twitchy about his hind legs.

Today was the ultimate WTH.

I had left the empty wheelbarrow out. As I do when I'm puttering around throwing apples to the horses after I clean up.

I stopped throwing apples the moment Mag fruck out.

He'd walked too close to the wheelbarrow and brushed against it. It tipped TOWARD him, and he sprung away to safety.

It somehow got connected to his most special left hind and followed him for his first stride of departure. I stood there in awe of the stupidity I was witnessing.

The neighbor's new Dachshund went into a cacophony of high-pitchd screeching that can't be called barking. They tried to get her under control.

My horse is covered in scars, mostly from Poland, but some, I admit, from here, and I was so hoping the latest ones, the newest FIVE, would be healed by tomorrow.

When my family arrives from America and meets this horse for the first time.

The wheelbarrow was dented and a one handle a little deformed, and Mag stood on three legs. OH CRAP.

I pondered the fact that a freaking wheelbarrow is a danger to my horse. No, no, no. I'm gonna say this is a once in a lifetime thing, and that I should feel safe leaving a wheelbarrow in proximity to my horse.

Good heavens, have you ever heard of such a thing? A horse who cannot have a wheelbarrow in its paddock while the owner is cleaning up poop?

I couldn't be angry at him when I saw him standing there on three legs, so I cold hosed him for 20 minutes. He stood like Chilly at that show Saturday, perfectly patient, only every once in a while, sticking his mouth into the water stream.

Do you know, he just added a new wound to his T-post fight wound? Directly on top of the other. Wheelbarrow struggle over T post struggle.

Do you think T posts and wheelbarrows are ......inherently dangerous to horses? Well....not the last two horses  I owned. Not the donkey. I cannot bubble wrap Mag enough, he finds trouble in the things I cannot protect him against. J said, "Don't leave the wheelbarrow out with Mag." I said, "I was using it at the time." SIGH

As I did 20 minutes of hydrotherapy, if I moved the water stream to his re-injured foreleg (Yah, that too), I was amazed to see how fast the hair dried on his left hind, it was burning up! And later, swelling up.

My dear husband did a series of walk-by's (?) for me, leading Mag up and down our street, and Mag is walking fine.  Just resting that burning hot leg a lot.

I said to J, "I know we have savings, but his leg could have been broken just now, and I'm sure it's not a cheap vet bill....."

Then I remembered I had some bute leftover so I shot a tube into Mag's mouth and apologized to him for the next hour, trying to feed him treats ,but his mouth tasted like Bute and he spit everything out. The donkey was thrilled about it.

OH HEY.....

This is important! This morning I saw something I'd never seen before with my donkey. Neither with   Baasha, Mara, nor Mag until now.

THEY PLAYED THE GELDING GAME.

Seriously, female donkey, gelding horse, grabbing their lips and rearing up,  biting each other playfully.

I'm shocked cuz I didn't know horses and donkeys did that, and especially not a female donkey.

Bellis reared up on her hind legs a few times in play with Mag, who was nibbling at her, encouraging her.

Awesome. I called my man in to watch from the window, but they heard us through the open window and stopped.

People have told me for years that horses and donkeys are not compatible. I understand the  sentiment "OPTIMALLY compatible." Of course! But it's possible.

People say, "Donkeys and horses don't speak the same language."

Look at Mag and Bellis today. Talking the same language, in complete enjoyment of each other.

And my man and me. Totally different languages. Not a problem (unless we're at the tax office).

***

Please tell me your most absurd injuries with your horses.

I have a great one to tell from an old cowboy, who went to get his rifle.......(Ross Tillottson.)

But seriously, a wheelbarrow? A T post? Mag's got those down now, permanently in his skin.

I said, "At least you put a new scar over an old one, so ...no new area!"

*sigh*