The Healing Process Part 201726495

I didn't post last week because the small changes in Promise's leg were not really evident from the photos I took of it. Today, on the other hand, it is looking infinitely better. She's moving well at the walk, but overall, she's still very lame - which is upsetting, because last week she looked to be about 70% sound at the trot. And, I was hopeful that she'd be about 80% this week. 


No such luck...she looked worse. However, it could be due in part to the healing process, and in part to the amount of proud flesh that I need to deal with for real, tomorrow:

But, if you compare to the last photo I posted, it has filled in considerably - it is level with the area, instead of being sunken in like it was before. It looks a little irritated here, to reflect her mood at the time of the photo. lol. I spent a good 20 minutes scrubbing, spraying with peroxide, rinsing, scrubbing, etc. until the peroxide completely stopped foaming. I 100% certify this cut is CLEAN. 

I also spent a good amount of time scrubbing, picking and generally cleaning up the hair and skin around it as it was fairly crusty from Wonder Dust application, weeping, etc. You can see quite a bit of new hair and skin growth around it, also. So, the mare wasn't very happy with me, but all things considered, she was an angel about the whole process and didn't once try to kick me in the head.

I coated it with furazone - since I couldn't make it bleed, Wonder Dust was rather pointless - and rewrapped it. Tomorrow, I will boil some water and pack it in a thermos before I head out. By the time I get there, it should be just hot enough to deal with the proud flesh. 

I have a feeling it looks much better underneath that rather nasty disaster!

Sigh.

Life seems to have gotten slightly crazy again all of a sudden...and I didn't really notice until I realized I hadn't updated in quite a while. 

I had a great ride again 2 weeks ago, that very closely mirrored the one I wrote about on April 29, minus some of the drama, and mistakes. I think I did a better job of keeping my body steady and strong and of supporting her so that she could better carry herself. This was pretty well proven when she picked up the right lead the first time I asked!

And then I wasn't able to get up there last weekend because of Mother's Day and family stuff. I'm feeling incredibly guilty, because I can't help but wonder if she'd been worked last weekend, if this wouldn't have happened:

Since it is the SAME spot, and was previously scabbed over with an ugly grey, scar-like scab, but not making any additional progress healing, I think it's fair to assume that this is blown abscess #2.


It's really pretty gross looking - the cellphone picture just doesn't do it justice, lol - and it seems fairly ouchy. I cleaned it up, and wrapped it with vet wrap to see how she was moving. She's walking decently, but she's pretty lame at the trot. It's definitely not coming from high-up on the leg, so it is related to this little beauty. Then I unwrapped it and let it air out while we hand-grazed and talked with the barn owner for 30 minutes or so. 


Cleaning round #2, with lots of peroxide, water, and scrubbing. (Yea, she hates me right now.) It didn't fizz much, so that's a really good sign. But I think there is more to it underneath some of the crusty hair surrounding it, I just don't want to cause her any unnecessary pain to find out. 


I let it air dry while I pulled her mane, then put Wonder Dust on it, wrapped it with a diaper, vet wrap and a single turn of duct tape and then turned her back out with her buddies. 


On the bright side, she's sound in the front after only a week with no shoes! 

Who Am I With My Horse?

I took this "quiz" in the spur of the moment...I happened to see one of my horse friends had taken it and posted her results on Facebook. If you haven't done it, go here: http://www.epala.org/

If you decide to do it, post your archetype in the comments. I am curious.


My results? I am a Shaman. This analysis is so spot on, it's eery. Here's what it says:

How they see the world. As connected and as One. That everything happens for a reason and there are no absolutes, no either/or. 

Emotion/Energy. Understand emotion as a message. Able to acknowledge emotion without acting on it. Understand the electromagnetic charge of emotion in relationship to horses. 

Shadow. Understand and accept their dark side and have “tempered” it over the years so that the emotional charge of it doesn’t harm humans or horses. 

How they are toward others. Balanced. Enjoy the company of others but also appreciate solitude. Seen by others as calm, wise, pleasant to be with. Enjoy being “in service” to others. 

How they see horses. As partners. As different but equal in terms of deserving a voice, a choice. Advocate for horse. Horses drawn to steady, calming ways. “Horse Whisperer.” 

What they want from a horse. Whatever the horse is able to give given who they are, their situation and their history. Will ask of a horse and then wait to see the response. Expectations are minimal – take what is offered by the horse and work forward from that point. 

As a riding student. Have a special connection with whatever horse they ride. No matter riding ability have a calm, open, curious presence when learning. Will be less inclined to choose mechanical aids for riding (crops, whips, spurs, some bits, biting devices). Uncanny ability to calm horses in any environment with no obvious effort or technique – just their presence. 

As an instructor or trainer. Calm demeanor with the wisdom to understand what each rider and horse need to gain connection. Focus of lessons and training on horse/human relationship such that horse then performs from a place of trust and respect.

As a competitor. Less drawn to competition than other archetypes. If competing, has the ability to stay calm and focused. Enjoys the challenge of competition in partnership with horse. Results not so important. 

Riding discipline drawn to. Shamans have such a deep connection to horses they can step into almost any discipline and create a profound relationship with the horse. 

Horses they are drawn to. Horses of all kinds are drawn to the Shaman and most Shamans appreciate all kinds of horses. 

Horses they should to avoid. None. A shaman is a gift for any horse to have in their life. 

Horsemanship tools and/or training of choice. The Shaman brings a magic to any tool or training technique they become involved with. Whatever they use or however they apply it – the horse will always be considered and a goal of partnership will be the outcome. 

Greatest Strength. Way of knowing intuitively and through wisdom how to connect and form a true partnership with horses where the horses have choice. 

Greatest liability. Not being understood or accepted by others who still see horses through a dominance/submission paradigm. 

Important lesson. Be willing to teach others how to manifest their Shaman energy with horses. Don’t keep wisdom to self or downplay its importance for the evolution of the horse/human relationship. 

Activities for Growth. Mentor young people in the ways of partnership with horses.