It’s been five weeks since my neighbor’s horse, CB, was so grievously injured by the downed wire in his pasture. I promise you that there are no gory photos in this posting, so there is no need to scramble for the delete button. Instead I want to show you something that will make you smile.
I go next door everyday to help Linda change CB’s bandage. We have to be on our toes while doing this, even though he is as cooperative a patient as we could hope for. Despite his best efforts to hold still for us, his healing leg is itchy and no matter what methods have been employed to fight the flies, they are always around.
We always start the process by wrapping up his tail to keep it out of the way. If you’ve ever been swatted by a horse’s tail, you know how painful that can be. Even being whacked by a wrapped tail is not much fun. I know – he always seems to smack me in the head while I’m bent over or kneeling next to him.
So there we are, both crouched under or next to his hindquarters, working away on his leg, when he decides to stomp at flies.
“Watch out!” Linda will yell in warning, since I’m usually reaching around the leg that is going to do the stomping.
I scramble out of the way, while trying to keep the supplies I’m holding clean.
Once he’s settled down, we get back in position and resume working as quickly as possible.
This is probably better than a work-out at the gym. We both always have sweat dripping in our eyes when we’re done.
After his tail is wrapped, Linda cuts the old bandage away, down the back of his leg. He knows the routine well, and immediately begins to rock against her. We both start to laugh
Imagine having your entire lower leg wrapped during this hot weather and no way to scratch it!
CB knows that as soon as the bandage is opened up, he’s going to get some relief. What we do is leave the bandage in place over the wound on the front of his leg, so that the flies can’t bother it. Then we spend ten or so minutes giving the uninjured back part of his leg some much-needed TLC – washing, massage, scratching … and CB practically swoons.
Take a look at this video and you’ll see what I mean:
Doesn’t he look like he’s going to give her about an hour to stop that?!
NOTE: CB has had his cosmetic surgery to remove the excess “proud flesh” that grew over the bone. If you would like to see a short video of that surgery, I have posted it on YouTube – but be forewarned that it is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart! Click here if you really want to see it.
UPDATE: This is Part 3 in a series of stories about CB's progress - read the rest at the following links:
Part 1 - Horse Wreck
Part 2 - Bandage Change
Part 4 - CB Cuts Loose
Part 5 - End of the Trail
