I'm relieved

I managed to get three of Banjos feet treated with hoof flex! It has taken me a very long time to get this far. I have a huge feeling of relief to finally be in control of this situation that started last fall.

We got the arena raked and groomed and ready for the upcoming neighborhood group training our neighbors arranged! It's such a cool idea. I really hope it works. Stay posted.

Snubbing Sparkler

Yesterday we took Sparkler to the Osseo vet for her Coggins. She was uncontrollable anticipating the needle. So Dr. Kolar had us try a neat trick. He had me tie her nose tight to the trailer. I mean really tight. But the trick is to tie through the trailer tie, under the halter throat latch, and back through the tie so the halter cannot break. Twice she tried to back up and went down to her haunches but she was so snug there was absolutely nowhere to go. In the course of about 10 seconds she was stock still and he had the blood drawn.

Coggins scare

Our friend Vicki had a scare with her 4 year old paint. His first Coggins came back positive. The test was repeated and it turned out false, but the thought of having to put him down between the two tests was tough for her.

Vet call

I scheduled the vet to come vaccinate the horses, pull the blood for the Coggins test (so they can legally travel) and give our cats their rabies and feline leukemia shots. I took the day off and went out an hour ahead of time to clean up the barn and the horses. I corralled all three in the loafing shed.

I spent some more time with Gilly's back feet, since the farrier is coming on Saturday, and they've been trouble for her. I did the same with Banjo, although I can only barely pick them up. The vet was an hour late, so I had plenty of time to mess around.

Gilly was first and he was pretty good. Banjo was the greatest. He stood stock still for pulling the blood and getting a shot on the right. Two more shots on the left. Then Sparkler...

She had a bad encounter with a vet two years ago and I think she remembers. We had the devil of a time. She pawed, circled, backed and tried to body slam us. We put her in the trailer thinking that would hold her still, but that was no better. We did get the vaccinations in but gave up on the Coggins. I'll have to take her to the Osseo vet in a few weeks and try again.

On the bright side, Sparkler has no problems getting in and out of the trailer.