How Much Pain...

...can a Cowboy sustain, if a Cowboy tried to refrain?

A Horse Bite!

Think I'm quitting the job as a Cowboy's Wife!

Or he needs to change his occupation!

Here, the picture tells you why!

A 2 year old that arrived here 9 days ago, is the cause! He belongs to some inexperienced stallion owners and just wanted to get 3 of their mares bred before bringing him here, (which, after 2 months of trying, he did up until one week before he arrived here). He was gelded 2 days before! So, the testosterone levels in him are still very powerful.

I was just fixing to come in the house & start supper, but paused momentarily to watch Hubby working with this colt. For nine days, this colt has responded so well to everything, no arguments, no attitude!

All was quiet, I could tell he was responding...Topper had just turned and 'faced' Hubby...as is the idea. I took one step up to the porch, glanced over and saw Hubby reaching to touch Topper's face (in praise) as he always does when they 'face' him..........................

.......excuse me here, but OH MY GOD!!!!! .......

Topper reared in the air, front legs flailing down at Hubby's shoulders....mouth wide open & teeth a flaring! Just like you see in the movies a stallion on the fight! The impact of the hooves striking Hubby was dropping him to the ground at the same time the teeth were biting at his face & neck! Which could be the good part! Hubby's falling didn't allow to teeth to embed any deeper than they did. (From the picture, you can see the whole mouth imprint-back side of neck, over jaw & front side of neck.)

I ran ~faster than I can even~ through 3 gates I didn't bother to open...barefoot, through the weeds and the rocks!! When I got to the arena Hubby was crumpled in the dust flat on his back...gasping.

Topper, thankfully....oh Thank you, God...had quit his attack as quickly as he'd begun it, and was just standing over my Cowboy. I didn't even think as I climbed through the panels about protecting myself from Topper, just needed to get to Hubby!

I helped get him up, VERY carefully and out of the arena, slowly very slowly, over to the porch of his tack shed. Made him sit there, assessed that he didn't have a gaping hole in his neck, but could tell that the hooves striking him, pile drove his whole body & head into the dirt.

He is as stubborn as I, regarding Doctors. Says he'll be Ok, didn't want to go...too far to have to drive...

I proceeded, yep stupid me, still barefoot and numb to it....to put the filly, which was tied to the hitching rail, back in her pen. Got all the horses fed and watered, constantly glancing over to make sure Hubby was still conscience. Left Topper where he was...halter, lead rope and Cowboy hat...in the dust.

Will let you know what tomorrow brings...my Cowboy can barely lift a glass of water (actually can't...has to lean into it to drink!). Cannot stand or lay straight...pain like in a rib in upper chest, and sounds like he has laryngitis. Can barely talk!

No doctor yet, he says. "probably just strained muscles" .......

He's been hurt so much over the years, and knows his own body pretty well....but there is always that first time....you might be wrong! ( I keep checking....making sure he is still breathing...no gurgling...I am just so thankful that those teeth didn't get a solid hit to chomp down on !!!!)