Thought I'd let you all know about how we are doing on our horse stuff. We fianally found the perfect horse on the internet. He's a smaller (14ish HH) red roan with a blanket on his rear, turns 5 next month and he loves me and Olivia. The man we got him from brought him from Okumulgee, OK for us to try out last Wed. Very nice man. Left us a saddle, pad, bridle and halter to use.The horse's name was Oats but we have renamed him Dakota. We had no idea he was bringing him that day so Matt came home and started work on our pasture fence. In the mean-time we kept him in our fenced yard.
On Sunday evening Matt and Caleb were on the other side of the pasture working on the fence line, Jesse and Ethan were in the house and Livi was at the neighbors playing so I decided to run to town for a few. In the meantime Livi came home and decided to take Dakota, who was in his new pasture surrounded by hot wire, for a walk. She put the halter on him and for some reason tied him to the T-post. Dakota got bit by the fence, then spooked and proceeded to pull up the post and went running down the field dragging the post behind him and broke some of the new fence. He got hit in the back of the legs. One leg got a bit of tendon cut. We had to, of course, call a vet to come out.The way he held his foot look horrid. I was afraid he might have completely severed the tendon. Thankfully he didn't and will be okay but out of commission for a few months. We are keeping him in our neighbors barn which is in short walking distance. I'm thankful for a cool, comfortable stall close to home to keep him in until we can build a barn.
I had told the kids they weren't to mess with the horse while I was not home but I guess Olivia thought that if dad was within seeing distance then it was okay. I also should have told them never tie a horse to something that isn't secure. Lastly, I should have reminded them that hot wires are a nasty things. I thought Olivia knew that since she got bit by one once. I accidently got bit day before yesterday and it really hurts and feel like someone tried to jumpstart my heart!
Dakota's on antibiotics and we have to redress his leg each evening. I have to call a farrier to come out and make a special boot to hold his foot still. I felt so bad for him. My neighbor told me that things happen and that this probably won't be the last time. I hope not and plan to be very careful. What an sad, painful and expensive lesson we have learned.
I know alot of you ladies are pray-ers. I would surely thank you if you could keep Dakota in yours.. That he heals quickly and completely.
Deb
Here is a picture I took a couple of days before the accident. Dakota loves apples and wanted to steal Olivia's.

