Late on Friday afternoon we had one of those typical horsey disasters. I say "typical" because they usually a) involve fences and b) occur at bad times, i.e., late on a Friday, at night, on a holiday, or any time on a weekend. Never, ever, on Tuesdays at 10 in the morning.
Kate was driving the truck with hay down to the corrals to start feeding when she looked over to the pasture and saw blind Lena lying on her side in deep snow, tangled up in the fence, with a brace post laying across her. Lena had somehow gone right through the fence and was lying on the outside, pinned up against two fenceposts, one at either end of her body. Kate called me -- I had just returned inside and was in my office -- and Alayne and I grabbed our coats and boots and went rushing out.
We found Lena completely entangled, with fence wires wrapped tightly around her back feet and looped through her front legs. This is yet another reason we don't use either electric fencing or barbed wire with blind horses -- either of which would have made this far, far worse. She was facing uphill, with her feet sticking through what was the fence line. Her left rear foot was bleeding profusely. Blind Cash, who we had turned out with Lena for some exercise earlier in the day, was standing calmly right next to her. He knew something was terribly wrong and wasn't leaving her side.
Lena herself was the very definition of calm. When she heard us coming, she raised her head up and nickered, then put her head down. But otherwise she was perfectly still. She didn't thrash around or panic. Lena was waiting patiently for her humans to come help her out of the mess she had gotten herself into. If she had panicked, she could have been seriously injured ... or worse, if she had severed part of her foot.
But one thing we have learned in caring for so many blind horses over the years is that generally they don't panic in a situation like this. Many sighted horses would, in fact, thrash around and try to get themselves out of it, and only injure themselves further. But our blind horses -- because they have come to trust their humans so much, and because they've learned that they can only get hurt when they panic -- tend to stay calm and level-headed in a crisis. This is completely contrary to the myth about blind horses being "dangerous" and likely to injure themselves. Lena knew that she was in a terrible fix, but she knew she couldn't get herself out of it, and she knew that help would arrive. So she just continued to lie quietly in the snow, waiting calmly for us to get there.
Neither Kate nor I thought about whipping out our cellphones to take some quick photos of the mishap until after we got Lena out of it, so you'll have to settle for this view of the scene, a day later:
As Kate ran to get the bolt-cutters, Alayne put a halter on Cash and led him out of the pasture and back to his corral. Then she dashed off to find the soft ropes we use for these situations. (We've seen this movie before.) I stood by Lena, trying to figure out the mess of wires, where to start cutting, and then what the "exit strategy" was going to be. The fact that she was facing uphill, against the fence posts, made it more complicated.
The first thing I cut was the one remaining nail still attaching the top end of the diagonal brace post to the fence post. Lena had broken the bottom end off and dislodged it, and the brace post was laying right across her chest. Once it was free, Kate and Alayne lifted it off and carried it down to the drive.
As Kate applied gentle pressure to Lena's neck as a precaution to help keep her down, I began cutting the wires around her legs. Because some of them were tightly wound around her feet, with a lot of tension, this is precisely the point where "normal" horses might start kicking and thrashing as they hear the bolt-cutters begin snapping through the wires and feel the tension releasing from around their feet. That "trapped" feeling is awful, and as soon as they think they can spring free, they'll try ... and only cause more injury.
But Lena didn't budge. She didn't so much as shift her feet as I cut and cut and cut. Here's what was left of the bottom wire:
Here's part of the tangled mess I cut away:
Once we got her free of the wires, we were still left with a horse stuck in deep snow on her side, facing uphill, with fence posts preventing her from getting up on her own. That meant rolling her back over the other way, downhill. Not easy to do with 1,000 pounds (453 kg) of horse! We loosely tied one rope around her front legs and the second rope around her back legs. Kate and I had managed to get a halter on Lena earlier, and Kate was now holding the lead rope to help guide her once we got her up.
Then, on the count of 1-2-3, Alayne pulled on the front legs and I pulled on her back legs. We pulled and pulled, but Lena didn't go rolling over. We realized the snow was so deep she had created a berm underneath her back, so we got down on our knees and scraped it away with our hands.
Finally, several hefty pulls later, Lena rolled over and struggled to her feet. She shimmied with her feet, trying to get the ropes off, but quickly stepped out of them. We guided her down to the drive to assess her injuries. After washing down her feet, it looked like the only injury was to her left rear foot, which had a nice, deep gouge through the heel. She was holding it in the air, trying not to put any weight on that foot.
I called our wonderful equine vet, Dr. Steve Levine from Northern Equine in Danville, Vermont, and a short while later he was here, tending to Lena. He cleaned and dressed the wound, bandaged it up, and gave her injections to help with inflammation.
She is now bearing weight on that hoof again, which is a big relief. We have Lena in a treatment stall while she recovers, and she's on a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories in the meantime. I took her out for a brief period this afternoon so she could stretch her legs, and Alayne got the photo at the top of her sniffing that confounded brace post.
So ... after all that drama, how did she go into the fence in the first place? None of us saw what Lena did, but we're pretty sure we know what happened because we've seen it before with other blind horses, and it goes like this: Lena just happened to be standing next to the fence when she decided to go down for a nice roll. She rolled and rolled on her back, and everything's going just great ... until she rolled completely over on her other side, and -- oops! -- suddenly her feet are caught up in multiple strands of wire. Lena probably tried to pull her feet out and stand up, but with one wire completely wrapped around that left rear foot, she ended up falling over, taking down most of the remaining wires and knocking the brace post loose so it fell on top of her.
And that's how we found her, sensibly waiting for help to arrive.
Now, having said all this, I don't want to leave you with the impression that this sort of thing happens all the time. It doesn't. We've had far more "fence disasters" and wire lacerations from our very small number of sighted horses over the years than we ever had from our much larger group of blind horses. It was a running joke with our equine vets in Montana, because whenever we had an injury, the chances were it was a sighted horse, not a blind horse.
But still, if a blind horse is going to get hurt, we like the "post-traumatic sensible syndrome" they seem to have!
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I had the horrible experience of finding a pony who wasn't as calm as Lena, I won't go into it, but suffice it to say it did not end well for the pony in question and I realized I couldn't even be a vet, While I am terribly sorry Lena got herself into that mess, I sure was happy to read that it came to a safe ending for her!!
Posted by: Kenna | February 21, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Oh sweet Lena-glad she is okay--I always remember what Alayne said on one of the TV shows featuring RDR--"you never know what you are going to find so you have to be very flexible." Isn't that the truth!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | February 16, 2011 at 11:04 PM
Back home from a lovely vacation in Oman, one of the first things I've done is checking out your blog, Steve, and just read about Lena's "typical horsey disaster". It's been a great relief to read that she's already feeling much better now.
My heartfelt congratulations on yet another mission accomplished, Steve, Alayne & Kate!
My horses were all sighted and I can confirm that they were quite accident-prone and that some of them did panic very easily.
Please give Aunt Lena a HUGE hug for me.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | February 15, 2011 at 04:01 AM
That is quite a story, Steve! At first I thought maybe Lena was feeling really frisky and tried to climb over! Your story makes more sense. Don't they just scare the bejeezuz out of you? I just found a lump on my 12 year old cat's haunch which is likely to be a fatty tumor but feels a bit strange. My alarms are all going off until this is resolved.
Posted by: Valerie M. | February 14, 2011 at 11:01 PM
As is many times the case, animals are smarter than humans, when it comes to knowing that they are in good care to and to be still and cooperate! Happy Valentines Day to you all!
Posted by: Linda | February 14, 2011 at 09:37 PM
It's really remarkable that Lena stayed so calm. My friend's horse was in a temporary stall due to part of the barn roof collapsing (New England winter strikes again) and she kicked the wall, cracked a board and gor her foot caught. We simply could not get near her to free her. A neighbor who's a Paramedic called some of his rescue squad friends andf they somehow subdued her enough to free her, but the injury was much worse because of her extreme panic. Before reading your post I would have imagined that a blind horse would panic even more. This just goes to show the kind of bond you have with your animals, you guys are incredible!
Posted by: Eileen Branco | February 14, 2011 at 09:20 PM
As I was reading the blog Steve I was shaking my head up and down saying yup yup yup been there, yup that is exactly what Apollonia did, and thats what we did. We have not had a mihap like this in a while but, knock on wood, Apollonia does get cast from time to time and we use the rope trick too. I find it so utterly amazing everytime she gets herself in jam like that she just lies and waits for us. She knows we will fix it. Most of the time she has a look of where the hell ya been.
Posted by: lisa | February 14, 2011 at 07:35 PM
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone at RDR!!! Lena seems okay. How are the three of you? :)
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | February 14, 2011 at 06:06 PM
My blind Frosty lives very happily in a pasture fenced in vinyl wrapped wire (not hot) because of your suggestions 5 years ago when I called. I appreciate the insight you gave me into living with a blind horse every single day. Thank you for everything you do.
Posted by: Kristin Eberly | February 14, 2011 at 05:58 PM
So happy for a happy ending...you people are amazing!
Posted by: Linda Spangler | February 14, 2011 at 04:15 PM
What a story! Wonderful commentary on the understanding and compassion of the humans at RDR. Great understanding and trust both horses have of you people and the care you give them. Interesting, in general, about the approach sighted and blind horses have of such problems. Thank you. Hugs to the horses.
Posted by: Phyllis Snow | February 14, 2011 at 04:11 PM
The blind horses are all so smart and trust you guys so much. I used to rehab wildlife in CA, my specialty being Fox Squirrels. No matter how seriously they are injured they just seem to 'know' that you are trying to help them. We had to remove an injured eyeball from a squirrel. She had a shunt in the top and bottom of the socket so I could flush it with Betadine several times a day. One day she put her teeth on my hand, didn't bite, just wanted to let me know that she had had enough for one day! So trusting that it's hard to understand why they would be. I don't trust many humans...why should they. Glad everything turned out so well.
Posted by: Kathie Taylor & Lee Purcell | February 14, 2011 at 04:04 PM
I have to add, I was on the edge of my seat reading this blog post as well. Thank goodness Lena is so trusting and calm. Way to go Cash! You and Alayne are truly amazing!
Posted by: Doe George- Indiana | February 14, 2011 at 02:01 PM
PHEW! Kudo's all around! My goodness. You are all awesome jumping into just the right actions. It must be the most wonderful, priceless moment to know how much she trusts you. Well earned of course. Extra hugs to Cash! What a fine boy!
Posted by: Margaret | February 14, 2011 at 01:31 PM
While I absolutely hate that this happened to Lena, and am thrilled to hear she is okay, I sure enjoy reading these posts. (Gosh, I hope that reads how I intend it). I know I've mentioned before that I didn't know a thing about horses before finding this blog so it's always so interesting when things like this happen. I still marvel at how smart and social they are, like how Lena knew to stay calm and how Cash knew something was wrong and stayed by her side. I imagine they both were so happy to hear your voices as you came to the rescue. I wonder if you talk to them like we do dogs and cats? You must, right? I imagine Alayne telling Cash everything is going to be okay and thanking him for being a good friend as they walked back to the corral. And you saying "hold on Lena, I almost have it!"
I can't wait to be in a postion to be able to come and visit RDR. It's on my bucket list you know!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | February 14, 2011 at 12:57 PM
My goodness what a story! It's amazing & very sweet how much they learn to trust their humans. And, what a guy Cash is to wait patiently with her so she wouldn't be alone. I'm so glad Lena is doing so well & nothing serious happened.
Posted by: Colleen_TX & Kitty Andre | February 14, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Yikes. I held my breath through this entire blog entry.
The way our animals trust is to get them out of a pickle is just so tender.
And how sweet of Cash staying close by for support.
Great news that Lena is already putting weight on the leg and that it was tended so quickly. I hope she continues with a steady and uneventful healing.
Posted by: Chloe | February 14, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Sounds like a scary and tiring situation to deal with! - but you guys knew exactly what to do and got pretty Lena back up, safe and sound! - Hooray!! Hope that foot heals up well and soon.
Posted by: Angela | February 14, 2011 at 10:51 AM
To the RDR Humans. Steve you hit it right on the head by saying Lena knew her humans would show up and take care of her. I personnal don't think there is a better way of saying LOVE then the trust they have in you. I am very glad she did wait and she shows her Love for you guys .
Posted by: Eric | February 14, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Lena is such a smart girl with a lot of common sense. Wait for help to arrive and don't make matters worse. So glad it all turned out okay, and hooray for Cash to stay with her for moral support!
Posted by: Linda | February 14, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Thanks goodness she is ok! I hope she hadn't been lying there to long. Way to go Cash!! You have grown into quite the gentleman, taking care of your Aunt Lena, staying with her so she wouldn't be alone.
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | February 14, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Once again, the love and care that you have given truly comes thru at those times when the animals have an event and an option of how to react. I sincerely believe that because you take such special care with them and they feel so confident in knowing that they are loved, they can remain calm when others might do something that would result in a much worse injury. The are used to your voices, your vibrations, and your touches. Thank you all so very much for getting Lena out of this potential horrific situation, with all her parts intact. I hope she has a quick recovery without any complications.
Thanks for being the best for taking care of those under your loving realm.
Warm hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | February 14, 2011 at 09:05 AM
Aw, poor Lena, I'm so glad to hear that she's doing fine and was so calm during her ordeal. And bless our Cash for staying by her side.
Being that my knowledge about blind horses is somewhat limited, I was just wondering...is it possible that since you've moved to N.H. that maybe she's just not quite used to the fence perimeters just yet and that's why she got too close before deciding to roll there? I realize that all the snow you've had must make it more difficult for them to find where they are sometimes.
I'm just happy that all turned out well and that your wonderful vet was able to come so quickly!
Posted by: Ann | February 14, 2011 at 12:45 AM
It's totally amazing that the blind horses have built such a sense of trust that they will patiently wait for help. Seems like another time to say "dumb animal?" I think not. Glad everything turned out OK and she's on the road to recovery. And how about Cash standing by her; what a good boy he is.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | February 13, 2011 at 11:41 PM
What type of fence and wire do you have there? Was it under tension at all? I am curious as I just installed the RAMM fence system for my blind mare. I have four coated wire rails from 10in and 4ft off the ground and a top rail of the 5.25in flex-fence. SO far so good, but I don't know what would happen if she ever rolled like this, as all the wires have been tightened pretty snug. I did have a pony once lay down too close to a fence and stick his feet under the bottom rail with a post between his front and back legs. He was sighted but sensible enough to wait for me to find him and bail him out of that. Easier with a 300lb pony than a 1000lb horse though, for sure! So glad Lena is okay!
Posted by: Darcie | February 13, 2011 at 09:30 PM
What a sensible girl waiting calmly knowing she would be found and rescued!
The photos of the wire just made me cringe! Poor Lena!
Posted by: Maree in NZ | February 13, 2011 at 09:16 PM
I got a fright just reading about poor Lena; I can only imagine how you felt at first sight of her. I have to admire Lena for being cool, calm and collected as she waited for you, and Cash for being a good buddy to Aunt Lena.
A side note: my wobble-cat (feline cerebellar hypoplasia) has additional brain damage and requires extrication from her many misadventures. Once she hears my voice, she's learned to do as your blind horses do, to wait quietly for rescue.
Posted by: Moon Rani | February 13, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Lena your Arizona friends are soooo happy you are okay. Glad your humans were so close by to help you out of your mess and that Cash was standing watch over you. Hugs and kisses to all our furry little friends.....we love you.
Posted by: Arizona Fan | February 13, 2011 at 07:35 PM
First, thank goodness Lena is OK. Bless Cash's heart. He did what he could for his Aunt Lena, he stuck by her side and watched over her. They both knew their people would be by to check on them. What a gentleman he is turning out to be. Poor Lena, all she wanted to do was roll and get some itchy spots taken care of and ended up in a mess. Never a dull moment at RDR.
Posted by: Anne in FL | February 13, 2011 at 07:01 PM