[Phase 2] Past and Present

The crunch of dirt beneath her hindpaws, the sound of birds chirping, the light melody of wind moving through the grass. It was the very thing the black-furred feline lived for. And she was determined to show the mare currently on her ranch the same things. The same pleasures in life.

Pushing the barn door open, she heads to the only stall currently holding an occupant. Katrina grabs the rope halter with the attached lead from the wall and pushes the door open. The mare keeps her distance still, angled so that she can see the door opening. “Hey girl, you’re looking better today. I see you’re putting a little pressure on that hoof with the boot on. That’s good.” Gently, the rider, trainer, and handler offers a slice of apple from her breakfast this morning. While she wanted to spoil the poor loshenka a little, she didn’t want to worsen the already developed issue of her weight.

The mare lifts her head, nostrils flared as she takes in the scent of the apple. Two days she’d been on the ranch and still she was hesitant to take anything from Katrina. However, like previous times, she gives in to the urge to devour the tasty snack and takes it from the offered fingers, filling the space with the satisfying crunch of perfectly ripe fruit.

“Good girl. Do you think you’ll want to take a walk today? But first, we’re going to put you in the small pasture so I clean your stall. Your poor hoof isn’t going to heal if your environment is dirty.” Offering some tender scratches to her chin, she gives her another slice of apple and slides the rope halter on. Holding onto the lead, she guides the mare toward the door at the back, pushing open the latch and guiding her onto a dirt path.

The mare is moving better, but still a bit tense and stilted, showing the ongoing discomfort in joints that are being well used.

The journey to the small pasture is a short one and soon enough she’s leading the mare onto a cushion of plush green grasses. Leading her in, she closes the door then removes the latch on the rope lead. “There you go, girl. Have a snack while I clean up your stall.”

Lifting her head to scent the wind, the mare stands there for a time, just enjoying her new surroundings. Katrina leaves her to it, closing the gate behind her and leaving the lead rope on the nearby hook for when she comes back to collect her.

Leaving the mare to her own devices, she grabs the wheelbarrow and heads back to her stall. She makes quick work of cleaning out the old straw, shoveling it into the wheelbarrow then laying dry, fresh straw in its place. With the area cleaned, she also refills her hay net with an appropriate amount of food and pours some oats into the feeding trough. After checking the water, she determines the space ready and makes her way back to the small pasture.

The loshenka was mostly where she left her, having walked a few steps with her head lowered, happily chomping away at the tasty grasses. For a while, Katrina just stands behind the fence, watching the mare take light steps, guided by her lips and teeth along the overgrown ground.

It hadn’t escaped her notice that the mare didn’t roll or jump or stretch the way others would after being released from the stall for a while. It leaves her to wonder just what kind of environment she grew up in. Was she never allowed that feeling of freedom before? Or was the pain in her joints so severe she didn’t dare roll around and suffer getting back on her hooves?

Deciding she’s snacked enough, she grabs the lead rope and slips through the gate to enter the small pasture, “Good girl. Let’s take a short walk, okay? It’ll help those joints of yours feel even better.”

The mare lifts her head, still chewing on her latest bite of grass. Katrina grabs the halter and attaches the lead rope to it. Keeping a steady hold just a few inches below the halter, she starts to guide the mare, encouraging her to walk slowly.

For a short amount of time, everything goes well. The mare moves slowly, sometimes hesitant in her steps, but is willing to allow Katrina to tug her along. Unfortunately, one of the times she goes to take a step, her hoof lands on the ground in just the wrong way to irritate not only her hoof but her knee, as well. Suddenly, the mare neighs loudly and springs forward, throwing her head.

Katrina isn’t quite prepared for what happens, but fortunately, due to good practices, she manages to avoid any kind of harm or injury. The lead rope, not wrapped or coiled, slides from her forepaw. She stumbles at the sudden tug, releases the lead, and manages to stay upright.

The mare whinnies, nostrils flared, and bucks a few times as she processes the sudden pain. She takes a few more steps before coming to a stop, the lead rope hanging freely from the bottom of her halter.

Katrina keeps her distance for the moment, letting them both recover from the sudden activity, “It’s okay girl. We’re okay.”

The mare stays where she is, once more lifting her hoof so she’s not putting any pressure on it. Katrina sighs. She knows this is normal. That the road to recovery will include some missteps, but she can’t help but feel a little crushed to see the forming trust between them shattered. The loshenka is watching her once again with unsure brown eyes.

When Katrina feels it’s safe to do so, she approaches the mare from the side, where she can clearly see her and track her movements, offering soothing sounds and her forepaws raised in a non-threatening manner. The mare doesn’t move away or exhibit any aggressive behavior, but she doesn’t take her eyes off of the handler.

Once close enough, the feline grabs the lead rope and carefully leads her from the pasture and back to her stall. She removes the rope halter and gently scratches her side before leaving the stall. They’d have to try again tomorrow. Hopefully with better success.

-

Three days after the vet was out, the farrier arrived. Giovanni is a buffalo of considerable stature, easily towering over the feline handler. Katrina greets him outside the house, “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

Giovanni shakes her forepaw, the appendage dwarfed in his large hooves, “Not a problem. I’m hoping I can help the poor thing. How has she been since the boot was put on?”

The handler waves for him to follow her, heading for the barn, “Better. She’s putting consistent weight on it and doesn’t seem to be favoring it anymore. I’ve changed the bandage once a day and kept the stall clean. She’s maintained her appetite, eating oats and hay and grazing a little in the pasture each day. She hasn’t been wanting to walk though. She experienced some pain a couple days ago and I think it’s made her hesitant to move around.”

The buffalo hums and nods, ducking under the entryway to the barn and following her to the stall. He observes the horse for a few minutes while they talk, “Her hooves are in dire need of a trim, I’ll have to pull those shoes off. We’ll see how deep the abscess goes.”

Katrina nods, grabbing the rope halter, “Any help would be greatly appreciated. Dr. Veeza seemed to think you might be able to provide some insight after taking a look at her.”

The buffalo chuckles, “I hope so. She always likes to call me when the weird cases crop up.”

The feline smiles, pushes up the stall door, and heads over to the mare, “Hey girl. I’ve got a friend here to take a look at those hooves.” Katrina moves slowly but with purpose until she’s close enough to place the rope halter on, past the point of bribing her with apple slices to get her to cooperate.

“What’s her name?”

Katrina frowns, “She doesn’t have one, really. Her file from the rescue center listed her name as her Dam’s barn name and the year she was born. Her owners never got around to naming her.”

The farrier frowns and nods. “That’s unfortunate. A fancy lady like her deserves a name.”

The handler nods in agreement and uses the lead to guide her from the stall to a section outside where she can hitch her to the grooming bay and the farrier can do his work, “I’ve been wondering what to name her, but I haven’t gotten to see too much of her personality yet.”

As they reach the grooming bay, she attaches the latches to either side of the halter and removes the lead rope for the time being. “I’ll try to keep her calm while you work.”

Giovanni nods and sets his tool bag aside, leaving it open on a stool where he can grab what he needs, as he needs it, “We’ll start with the problem hoof.” With practiced ease, he removes the nails holding the shoe in place on her hoof and sets both the hoof and nails aside. Grabbing the sharpened knife, he expertly trims away the hoof until it’s the appropriate length then begins to shape it, “Hmm, the abscess looks like it’s forming much closer to the leg than I expected. Near the white line here.” He points out a spot along the hoof where the wall and sole meet.

Katrina hums, tilting her head, “Is it possible the nails are causing it?”

The buffalo scratches his chin with his free hoof, “While pretty rare, it’s not unheard of. It’s quite possible that they shod her as soon as possible and didn’t give any regard for whether or not the shoe might be responsible. I’d be curious to know if she was developing these abscesses prior to being shod.”

Katrina purses her lips. It wouldn’t surprise her if the mare’s previous owners gave any thought to the horse whatsoever, beyond her performance in the ring. “Go ahead and trim the hooves but leave the shoes off. I’d like to see if she experiences the same problems without the shoes.”

Giovanni grins, “You got it. I’ll give her a perfect trim and leave the shoes aside here.”

Katrina stands near the mare’s head, petting her muzzle and forehead while the farrier does his work. He’s quick, precise, and does a great job at keeping the mare calm. The feline even notices a lack of tension in the horse’s frame as the trimmed hooves are freed and she places them on the ground without the shoe providing a barrier between them.

The buffalo sweeps and cleans the area, disposing of the trimmings and used nails, “She looks good. Honestly, better than she did before. I’m hoping to see some positive results. I’ll come back in about four weeks, see how fast her hooves are growing. If you need me sooner, please feel free to call. I left the boot off, too. I don’t see any more drainage so I don’t believe it’s necessary any longer. However, if you notice her favoring it again, give me or Dr. Veeza a call and we’ll come assess.”

Katrina shakes his hoof again, beaming wide, “Thank you, Giovanni. For your insight and your help. Those hooves look beautiful.”

Giovanni grins, “Happy to be of service. I’ll show myself out, so take care of the fancy lady. Wait a day or two and try some light walking again.”

The feline nods, thanks him once more, and hooks the lead rope back onto the halter. She removes the two ropes keeping her changed to the grooming bay and walks her back to her stall, “Good job, fancy girl. You did great today. I think it’s time for a treat and some rest.”

The mare knickers at the word treat and follows Katrina back to her stall. Katrina removes her rope halter, gives her two biscuits from her training pouch, and scratches the side of her neck affectionately. “Good girl.”

Smiling, Katrina latches the stall closed and places her rope halter on the hook, leaving her to relax and enjoy the freshly trimmed hooves and lack of shoes.