While I was in Missoula today taking blind Goldie in for her chemotherapy and running errands, Alayne got these shots of our farrier, Rich Boyle, hard at work here at the ranch. Cindy was holding the horses for Rich. We schedule Rich to come out and trim the horses' hooves every six to eight weeks.
In these photos he's working on Patches, one of our sighted horses. She had come to us from an animal abuse court case in Montana several years ago. Because of lameness issues, she can't be ridden. She is predisposed to foundering, which can make her ouchy on her feet, so from time to time Rich puts shoes on her. In the shot above he is pulling the shoe off her front foot, and in this next one he is now trimming her hoof:
Patches can be something of a brat, as she is demonstrating in the following photo. Notice how she is leaning her right flank on Rich?
That's a lot of weight pressing on him! She is not doing this because she has a hard time standing on three legs ... she is doing this because, well, she can and she knows it makes it difficult for him. (Did I mention she's a brat?) Rich finally had to set her foot down and start over, but not before Cindy worked on improving Patches' manners!
Ya think a girl would want a pedicure & a new pair of shoes. Poor Rich! But I suppose Patches is thinking, I've been treated bad before so I'm gonna get the first shot in just in case. But, rest easy Patches, you are in safe hands for the rest of your life & just know you are being treated with love. I hope all went well with Goldie!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | October 23, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Sometimes a girls gotta show a little attitude and perhaps she found this a little amusing.
You're a strong guy, Rich!
Being a Farrier is hard work but very manly. ; )
Posted by: Boundforglory | October 23, 2008 at 08:46 AM
The girl has an attitude, doesn't she? Well, considering how poorly humans were to her prior to rescue, she's a little entitled attitude, I suppose. Glad your farrier is willing to put up with her....LOL.
Posted by: Debbie | October 23, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Owwww...come on, if someone offered you a crutch, wouldn't you lean on it? Besides, it is a nice triangle in that last shot! And yes, I do feel sorry for Rich, I have been on the receiving end of horse's shoulders and rear ends too, they are too heavy for a human back to carry ;-)
Posted by: Jessica, NL | October 23, 2008 at 02:45 AM
OOPS! Correction: I meant that *Patches* ought to behave. Cindy, I'm sorry!
Posted by: Moon Rani | October 22, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Now, wouldn't you think Cindy would behave better than that, what with getting a pedicure *and* new shoes at the same time? ;)
Posted by: Moon Rani | October 22, 2008 at 08:49 PM