A Surprise at feeding

4/21/08

Ernie is a newborn colt here at the farm. I think that he is about 10 day old or so. Lisa describes him as being special as he is a bit slow at learning the being a horse game. Today as we went out to feed the main herd we couldn’t spot him. Lisa saw him first but it wasn’t until we got to the gate that either David or I saw him. He was lying on his side in nearly the same spot as the day before. As we made our circle in the pasture depositing hay for the horses to eat we stopped near Ernie so that David could check on him. After rousing him David looked him over and was rather pleased with the body and coat he had put on. Lisa and I were quick to notice though that he was limping on one of his right front leg. This is where the ordeal began. David set to work removing Misty’s halter and gathering Sunshine Ernie’s mother. After which David and I lifted Ernie up on the wagon and David inspected the leg and determined that it was likely his shoulder that was hurt. It was my job to hold Ernie down without touching is front leg while Lisa drove the wagon and David lead Sunshine to the round pin.   Ernie was none to happy with the situation and didn’t like being held down one bit. I’d never felt time pass so slow as I lay on that horse with gentle pressure. Every time that we would hit a bump in the road Ernie would spook a bit and I would have to hold him down tight. The little guy had a look of fear in his eye the whole time. At several times he nearly got away from me put I held him as best I could and only had to readjust him with David’s help once. During the slow drive to the round pin I kept telling him to stay calm and that it would be over soon but I never seemed to convince him.  When we finally got to the round pin David lead in Sunshine and then moved Ernie in with her. I set to work feeding the horses in the dry pin as David set out water and hay for Sunshine and Ernie and Lisa unhooked Misty and Beth for the night. We have gone all we can do for the little colt for no. The vet will be by on Thursday but I will feel wrenched up inside for that little colt.  

4/22/08

It was decided today that Ernie’s shoulder is broken and there is no remedy for him.  Deborah put him down after we finished feeding today.