Siera's left front foot before and after trim.
To our new farrier's credit, he was not finished when I took the second photo. He had some more work to do as well as quite a bit of rasping to shape and not have the toe so 'sharp' looking.
I got so involved in listening to his description of his plan on being able to help Siera grow frogs back that I didn't take any more shots.
I will state here that I am no foot expert and I won't pretend to be. I rely on the expert work of the farrier I work with. The farrier we had for the past 10 or so years seemed to do a fine job. At times, he seemed in a hurry, cut, rasp, drop the foot and on to another. If he was not trimming up to par, it seemed most of our animals were still getting along.
Except Siera. Gaited Peruvian Paso Mule. Over the summer, her feet did get neglected and when trimmed it was a quick shot deal. I was busy with my husband's cancer treatment to pay much attention.
That is until suddenly Siera was standing on three legs and barely making it to the hay pile.
I immediately realized there was a problem. As far as we could tell it could have been an abscess and thrush. Although that was confusing as it had been so incredibly dry.
When I cleaned her feet the frogs were a mess. Old farrier rarely trimmed off the rough pieces saying they'd just wear off. Deep in her frog there was a putrid grey nasty goo.
Infection of some sort. Her frogs were disappearing on her left side. I packed antibiotic cream into her affected areas and made duct tape shoes. I did this off and on for two weeks.
The old farrier came by and did a trim. I was perplexed, wasn't her frog supposed to impact the ground as well as the heel? "Well," said old farrier, "it is the best I can do right now."
Let's just say old farrier ended up leaving us.
We were so happy to accidentally run across this farrier who is a Certified Farrier, not a fellow who picked it up so he could make some money.
Dan and his son Danny both work as a team. They make their own shoes and other products. Dan knows his stuff.
I was impressed at the amount of time he took to explain Siera's plan of recovery.
He also told me to ride her lightly in the snowy pasture to promote growth, which exercise would do. Yippee!
Dan was not looking for new clients but when Rich told him it was "The Wife's Mule." Dan exclaimed that he would proclaim that as an "Emergency!" and he and his son came over as soon as they were done at the neighbor's place.
He can now safely schedule a whole day on our ridge. My neighbor, us, and another lady I know about 1.5 miles from our place.
I plan on being here when we returns and I will ask if I can take a lot more photos. He actually likes it when clients do that.
The man certainly knows his hooves.
Color me happy.
Siera has never been a mule that was willing to leave home very well, especially first thing in the spring. And especially solo. Usually towards the end of summer she has decided that it is okay.
So I've been taking her on walks to do such mundane things as to pick up the mail on the ridge.
It involves her least favorite walk.
Up the driveway and away from her buddies.
I used to have to wait for her after she locked her legs. I could force her but I want her to cooperate as her own idea.
You can force a mule, but it doesn't always seem the best way of training.
Siera is very 'sensitive' whereas Badger was not.
Up we started, Siera was doing the perfect job of 'heeling' me on the leadline. Her head was dropped and she plopped along as if there was not a care in the world.
That is until Fred and a couple of the mares whinnied.
Then she stopped and looked around as if coming out of her zone.
I let her stand and take a quick look, then asked her with a jiggle of the leadline to please pay attention to me.
I took a step forward. She stepped a bit sideways. I said quietly, but firmly, "Siera, walk."
She did. When we walked passed the entrance to the woods trail, she looked over and stepped slightly in that direction.
Routine can sometimes be the best and worst training method for a mule. But I think if I establish a 'routine' about leaving home with me while not saddled, it will become a non-issue when she is saddled.
We walked up the steep hill and every once in a while she stopped. I let her take a look around and then simply said, "Siera, walk."
And she did.
We got to the mailbox and I gabbed the 'junk' mail out. Siera looked past me to the corn field and the gravel road which goes east to a secluded farm and to the south which leads to the ridge.
When riding we go both ways.
I walked her passed the mailboxes and down the road a bit. She walked like a big obedient dog.
I needed to return home but would have liked a longer walk with her since she was being so incredible.
But home it was...half way down our steep driveway Siera stopped and looked around.
I let her because it seemed she was in no hurry to join her friends.
Suddenly her eyes widened and she leaped sideways. The lead rope never tightened in my hands. I consider that a good 'spook'. I looked over my shoulder to find the mule monster.
Really, I expected to find one?
Then Siera did something very funny.
She dropped her head and stepped around to face me. I don't normally put human emotions with animals, but it was almost as if she was apologizing.
She then lifted her head and stared off towards home.
She made no move forward until I asked her to. And the rest of our walk was about as exciting as watching paint dry.
I let her read the junk mail when we got home, but she was more interested in trying to find a bit of grass.
I would have loved to walk with her in the woods, but the north hillsides are mud/ice, the south hillsides are slimy slippery mud, and level land is saturated.
So for now we are sticking to the roads. I hope to take her on a longer walk next time. Maybe I'll toss a saddle on so she can give me a lift on the way back!
Good girl Siera.
I am proud of you.
