Taking Steps
"Easy baby, don't move, " I coax as I crouch behind the hocks of a well-built chestnut mare. The toes of my boots twist and grind into the mud and gravel as I try to find the best position to access her heel without putting my face directly within kicking range. Although, who am I kidding? a horse can kick basically anything within 5 feet of it, on any side. Doesn't matter where my head is, as long as I'm this close. The key is to be gentle and careful. She's been hurt, this mare. Somehow she got a rope caught around her left pastern and before she was able to break loose, it friction burned a deep gouge through her hair and skin. The wound, left dirty, has crusted over and now looks and smells awful. I am well within gagging and kicking range, but the mare knows I'm trying to help her. She stands gingerly, trying to hold still as my hand reaches out to hold her fetlock steady. "Good girl," I murmur just loud enough for her to hear, as I exa...