Thursday, December 8, 2016

Knocked Down

Our farrier came on Tuesday so I helped Brett bring the horses into the barn before leaving for work.  Brett put them back out in their pastures (except Jackson) afterwards.  Then, on Wednesday afternoon a storm moved into the area so Brett brought them all back in before feeding.

As I was driving home from work, he sent me a text (which I didn't read until I was parked in the garage.  I'm a good girl.  I don't text - or read texts - while driving).

<Sitting in my chair.  Got run over by Tex.>

I gathered my computer bag and walked into the house.  Brett was sitting in his chair, with bandaids on both knees.  I realized he wasn't joking.

Brett told me that Tex was easy to catch and stood quietly while Brett haltered him, and then walked calmly into the barn.  As Brett turned him in the stall before taking off Tex' halter, Tex spooked.  Tex spun and bolted out of the stall.  Brett was knocked off balance, his feet got twisted up, and he fell hard.  His head missed the side of the stall, but he landed hard on his knees.  Thank goodness we have stall mats.  I can't imagine what damage would have been done if he had landed on cement.

Brett pulled himself to his feet, and hobbled outside, to the run in area, where Tex was standing.  The halter was still on, and the lead rope was twisted around Tex' feet.  Tex was worried.  Brett told Tex that he was fine, there was nothing to be afraid of, and removed the halter.  Next Brett went to the feed room where he grabbed a carrot.  He went back in the stall and fed it to Tex in the stall.  Tex was still nervous, but took the carrot and ate it.

Tex is a big horse; a solid horse.  Being knocked by 1200 pounds of spinning horse is not fun.  Brett is okay; just a bit sore.

Meanwhile, we lost another chicken.  Two gone and a couple more that are struggling. We're not out of the woods yet.

8 comments:

  1. Hey Brett! Got to take care of those knees. So sorry that happened.

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  2. I hope Brett is okay, a spinning horse is dangerous.

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  3. I forgot to add- Irish had a scare when he was young and this made him unpredictable when being led into his stall. Most times he was fine but every now and then he would spook hard and I would be hurt. I taught him to self-load into the stall- I stop him, unsnap his lead and say 'walk in' he walks in and then turns around to get his halter off. I've been working on this with Carmen too. It might be useful for a horse like Tex who can be unpredictable.

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    1. Thanks for the idea of self loading Tex in the stall. I've done a little bit of that in the past, but not with Tex. I think its an excellent idea.

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  4. That doesn't sound like much fun. Feel better and take it easy Brett.

    Hope the rest of the chickens make it.

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  5. Loved your post and totally can relate to being knocked down by a horse. Hope he recoups fast. Lori

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  6. Self-loading is a good idea. I do the same with my horses in the trailer and they seem to like it better. I hope he's okay!

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  7. An American in TokyoDecember 11, 2016 at 4:07 PM

    Oh my! I hope Brett is feeling a little better now.
    It seems like Tex may have a problem with ropes around his feet/legs?
    I wonder if he would be able to handle some desensitizing down there?

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Thanks so much for commenting!