A breath of fresh air breezed through the barn last week when we welcomed a couple of new staff members from the equine clinic for our annual Fall Wellness visit. Fresh faces with fresh approaches examined Moe and Chicago and left me with a fresh outlook.
Dr Ethan had done his homework, arriving aware of Moe’s missing eye and impaired pelvis and Chicago’s missing molar and progressing cataract. He and vet tech Torii handled the horses with gentle confidence, ignoring Moe’s indignant head tossing during the dental exam, and his basically bad manners throughout the rest of the assessment.
Moe is not a fan of Dr Ethan.
His behavior conjured up the Ghost of Palominos Past, as Moe expressed displeasure with the events of the day through conduct reminiscent of his predecessor, Biskit, complete with the bang of a hoof at the base of the stall door. One very solid bang that made his point and made a mark.
And reminded me to move the Equine Etiquette Refresher course back onto the roster of our regularly scheduled programming.
Based on experience, sound judgment, or beginner’s luck, the good doctor saved the best for last. He left Moe to sulk in solitary, and stepped into the stall next door, where he checked vitals of the Big Red Beast, and pulled the needle out of Chicago’s neck before he even realized there was an injection on the agenda.
For the first time in our 22 years together, Chicago is not going into the winter with a little layer of natural insulation; so, for the first time in our 22 years together, Chicago is getting a little scoop of senior sweet feed with his lunch, soaked in warm water for a molasses mash treat, as prescribed by Dr Ethan.
Dr Ethan is Chicago’s favorite.
The new vet team took manure samples when they left, compliments of two horses who reliably relieve themselves in fresh shavings, and Dr Ethan called before the day was done with lab results and recommended next steps.
It’s been a minute since I’ve experienced a change that didn’t leave me at least a little confused, disillusioned, or mad, but working through this old procedure with new professionals left me comfortable, hopeful, and glad.
It was fun to look at Chicago and Moe through new lenses and to watch young practitioners practice their craft with calm, compassionate conviction.
After a few months of mostly dark, it’s reassuring to remember that the world is still (mostly) full of light. I am encouraged to feel the fog lifting, to be reminded there are angels among us, lots of kindhearted, sharp-brained, energetic people willing to do the work that needs to be done, and to do it well.
Beyond the disappointments, there are dreams.
And a surly one-eyed palomino with a fast pass to the Polite Pony program.
From Four Sticks Farm 