a setback and progress

Butch's rope burn was healing beautifully. We had worked up to riding about 5 miles a day.

Sometimes, things just happen.

At the entrance to the riverbed ramp, Butch suddenly pitched forward onto his knees. He couldn't get up. I leapt off. He scrambled up on 3 legs, holding his left hind in the air.

A gopher tunnel had collapsed under Butch's front feet. The sudden pull on his hinds had ripped open the fresh scar tissue, and possibly strained a tendon.

That was about 10 days ago. Back to square one: irrigate, vetrimycin, prep H, Corona, Swat... hose leg 2x/day, wrap, hand-walk. Burn is almost done scabbing. No longer tender. Leg swelling finally back to almost normal as of the past two days.

This morning turned Butch out and... he exploded! Bucking joyfully, tearing round and round at a flat-out gallop. I was happy to see him clearly not lame, but my eyes got wider and wider in anxiety with each lap...


Not to worry. Checked on him throughout the day... wound was the same, no stocking up, no hint of lameness. This evening it was slightly stocked up, but no more swollen than last night. Looking good! Please cross your fingers for him!

Butch waiting for his lollipop after enduring the daily treatment. 

slowly is okay

This is the process as of yesterday, 5/6/12.  It's been 19 days since Butch got burned on his left hind by the polyester rope.  Now treating it with vetrymicin, preparation H, corona, and swat. Irrigating 1-2x/day. Been walking him in hand every day for exercise.

The vet checked on him Friday, and says he is okay now for light riding. So I've begun that. Butch's pastern still stocks up a bit after being ridden, but not nearly as much as before. And he's still very tender, but again, not nearly as much as even a week ago.  The reason we're taking it so slowly is that due to the location and depth of the injury, it's very important the burn heal from the inside out, with as little scar tissue as possible and with good healthy elastic repair keeping him flexible and sound.

The observant reader might notice Butch is barefoot.  His farrier was out yesterday.  He's grown out of the bad trim of 9 months ago, pretty balanced now, so I'll be working on hardening up his hooves again. Butch has the classic good hard mule feet and farrier says it shouldn't take long, once Butch is back on a build-up riding regimen.

Personal note: over the shock of being back home early with injured animal... beginning to catch up on correspondence with trail angels, new friends... pics on blog, artwork, etc. ... and finally able to enjoy seeing old friends and family while I can.  Not knowing what the summer will bring. And isn't that the way it should always be? Appreciating the gifts of the present moment, no matter the past or uncertainties of the future.


I know it's a cliche, don't mean to sound like a Hallmark card. But having ridden an emotional roller coaster since returning, I have come to rest at the balance with my own unadorned face staring back at me from the mirror, aware that I can laugh about it, cry about it, whine or joke, feel guilty, furious, grateful, scared, relieved, stupid, brilliant, anxious to go again or resigned... none of that changes what happened or where we are now. And it was a grand first try!   

verified by the vet

Well, I was feeling pretty low, thinking maybe I had over-reacted and could've continued the ride while Butch's burn healed.  "Pretty low" is an understatement.

More like: "You wuss, you backyard-pampered-animal city girl, all those people disrupted thier lives and went way outta thier way to haul you around, teach you how to handle your ill-mannered mule and pack right, then you go and wimp out at the first little mule owwie... you coulda been to Abilene by now... he's not even lame, riding woulda been good for him... what a pathetic wimper of an ending... look at him moping around, even Butch is depressed, he wanted to keep going too... you were such a nanny!..."


Then I talked to my vet about how long it might be before Butch is road-ready again. He asked how long ago the burn had happened. When I told him I was concerned cuz it was about 12 days, his words were: "That's all?!?  I hate to tell you this, but it'll take at least 4 weeks, maybe longer before he's healed up enough. It's deep. It's in a bad spot. And you'll need to be treating it daily."

I was not happy to hear the burn was severe, but have to admit, was relieved to be vindicated in my judgement. I had not overreacted. Bringing him home - since I could - was the right thing to do.

As to my judgement about whether or not to continue with Butch despite his mental and behavior issues, on the next ride or drive, I have decided not to write about that here as it is too private, difficult and personal a decision.  When it comes time for the next ride I'll start a new blog and there will tell the tale.

Will post here when Butch is healed up, though - with pics - also, will be adding a few pics to old posts, so if you are interested please check back occasionally!

All the best to everyone!