Lame!

I am going home tomorrow for two weeks, which meant that today is the last I get to see Princess. That always makes me sad. I can call and talk to my husband, but I can't talk to Denali. She's ha a bit of a crazy week, and I wish I could be there to check on her. Two of the horses have gone to a foster home, one horse has gone to training (Denali's best friend. :( I'm sad for both of them.) A new gelding has joined the herd. Currently there are now two geldings and two mares. Denali tried to be boss. Fail. Poor thing, I hate herd changes, everything goes haywire for a bit.

The center just hired a new caretaker and I really like her. She was really good with the horses I saw her work. I asked her to video Denali so I could watch (and re-watch, and re-watch, and re-watch, etc.) to look at her lameness. Sigh. I didn't need a video. She's so lame. SO, SO lame.

Here is the video but please remember a few things.

1. I am not asking Denali to do anything but move forward. Nothing special, so criticizing my "techniques" will make no sense since I was in deep despair watching my horse limp around the round pen. I didn't care where she went other than forward.

2. Not everyone can be as hot as I am in my shorts and new (read: amazing) boots. Safety first.

3. I'm fat, I know.

4. I love this mare so flipping much.

I made Denali a dinner of her grass pellets, beet pulp, with a topping of Bute. I hope that helps her. She doesn't seem in pain, and seems super happy. That's all that matters right? That's what I keep telling myself. As long as she's happy.

I can't say enough of what this place, this center, has done for Denali. She is a different horse, a calm, sweet, loving horse. After her pathetic attempt at trotting she went back out to the pasture. There is a new horse there for medical treatment, and he is in LOVE with her. As soon as he sees her he drops. Sigh. It's a good thing they are not together. Gelding or not, Denali doesn't care.

It was actually warm today, close to 80 (Yes, I realize that everyone else has a heat wave right now.) While I was topping off the water, Denali stuck her head into the water. I soaked her while she stood there. She'd wander off, roll a few times and then come back and stand by the gate. I'd give her treat, scratches, etc, but nope, not what she wanted. So more water and I had a happy girl.

Thanks to everyone who entered into the blog give-away! Remember, it's easy become a "Fan of Denali" (aka, follower) and tell me (in yesterday's post) why you started following my blog.  I will only collect names from that post. I will do the drawing July 21st (or 22nd at the latest.)