You all know that expression – a watched pot never boils. Well I can officially tell you the same is true for a hoof with an abscess. Today, I stared at Alfie’s hoof whenever I walked by him, trying to will the abscess to break open. I was excited to have the dressing changed to see if maybe it had popped.
I walked Alfie around the arena, a little longer than yesterday, he was so excited to be “working.” I watched his strides and at a walk, he is moving pretty well. I bend down and lift up his foot to see if I can feel if it’s still warm. The part that was slightly exposed from the wrap was in fact still warm. Regina gets the next diaper ready complete with Epsom salts and antibiotic wash, she bends down to remove the old dressing and sigh…the abscess still hasn’t popped. So she puts the new diaper on and it’s back to his stall.
I spent the earlier part of my day cleaning my tack, and in the afternoon I groomed Alfie. As he quietly munched on his hydro hay, I have one of our heart to heart chats with him. I tell him all the wonderful things we are going to do once his abscess is healed. We do some leg stretches and neck stretches and of course a nice head massage. He nuzzles my shoulder as if to say, it’s ok mom, I will be better before you know it.
As I’m sitting here writing, our barn cat Moo comes to snuggle. Have I mentioned how much I love being surrounded by all this pure love these animals give every day? A beautiful way to end the day. ❤️🐴
Confessions of an Equestrianoholic 