Sick bay for Ozzie.

 I’ve been treating Ozzie for another abscess in the same foot again. I noticed him beginning to limp a few days before and I sighed a deep sigh.  Not again! This poor horse, he’s had a real bad run of feet issues. Most people couldn’t afford or wouldn’t put up with the problems and I’m not sure how I’ve managed to get this far with him too. Everybody around me keeps saying give him away, some have suggested putting him down.  I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it. It is too hard and I love Oz so much. He has taught me so much and given me confidence in a field I would never have had otherwise. He’s just part of Pine Haven and always will be. Jen, the farrier suggested at his monthly trim to get a poultice dressing and a bandage. She taught me how to apply the dressing and gave me instructions for the next few days. I was nervous, as this was the first time I’d be applying a bandage, but there was nothing to be done as I was the only one available. Johnny was working long hours and coming home in the dark.  Jonathan was doing the same. The only person to help was Michaela and between us I don’t know who was more tense. I had to overcome this fear, Ozzie was depending on me.  Lifting up his foot was the toughest part and knowing how inexperienced we were, he stubbornly refused. Once the first bandage was changed and the second one was done, it was time to take it off for good.  I was relieved but the work wasn’t over yet, I’d still have to clean out his hoof daily and apply iodine.  The minute his foot is up, I have to be really organised and work quick.  Hoof picking out all the debris, I’d then give the hoof a quick rinse with some water, dry it off with some paper towel and then spray on some iodine. It doesn’t sound like too much but I have a healthy respect for farriers these days.  It’s a back breaking job. Of course Ozzie doesn’t always oblige me and he tends to pull away and then we have to start again. It’s exhausting work but it’s taught me confidence around him. I’m looking forward to seeing Jen in a week or two.  I’ll be asking for advice and have some questions to run past her. The abscess broke through and he is not limping anymore. I still clean his foot everyday now and he is on the mend. He is back out in the paddock where he is happiest.

Introducing Rosie!

She is a Swiss Brown cow.  Johnny’s had his eye out for this breed for a while now.  Finally he found what he was searching for and the deposit was made and the collection date arrived. We took off in the morning, bright and early, as the trip was to be about six hours return.  I wasn’t looking forward to a long trip but it had its perks. We were going to experience another part of this wonderful country of ours. We were travelling inland this time. The miles rolled by and the minutes ticked on. About mid-morning we decided to stop to get some coffee and stretch our legs. The name of the roadside stop was called “The creepy Inn”.  I wondered why anyone would name a café this, hopefully their coffee was good. I thumbed through a pocket trader on the counter while we waited for our coffee to be brewed. One thing about small towns is that there is always sure to be a bargain being sold. This book impressed me with all its goodies for sale.  The coffee arrived with a lady who had a cheery smile. We paid our dues and left Creepy Inn to continue our journey. I smiled and wondered if others had the same impression as me.

We travelled on for a while yet and then reached the flattest and most desolate land I’ve ever seen. The dirt was red and there wasn’t much grass. I couldn’t imagine anything surviving out here. But sure enough there was something.  Miles and miles of the stuff. The roadside was littered with tuffs that had blown free from a carrier at some point.  After a few minutes I realised what it was.  Cotton fields!  Cotton was tough and could survive and thrive in the most challenging climates. 

Just short of two and half hours we passed through a little town called Millmerran. We contacted the seller and he arranged to meet us at the end of his road about half an hour’s drive from Millmerran. The terrain continued to be dry and mostly scrub. I couldn’t imagine how hard life must be out here. The seller of Rosie was waiting for us and took us back to his home. There I was ableto see an alternative lifestyle only ever heard of. His family lived in a few different containers. They harvested wind power and solar power and used a generator to do washing when needed.  They had a few chickens, cows and goats. We stood around chatting and we heard about how most of their neighbours couldn’t handle the rough climate and had moved out. Their two kids were home-schooled and they all seemed content and happy with life.  I marvelled at his wife and made a mental note not to complain so much. 

After the necessary paperwork was exchanged and final payment made, Johnny loaded up Rosie who was bewildered and frightened by now.  After a bit of coaxing and persuasion, she walked up the loading ramp into the back of our Ute.  I took one look at her and named her Rosie.  We waved goodbye and left these tough hardy people to make our way back home.  We diverted from the GPS signal and decided to travel back via Cunningham’s Gap. This was a beautiful scenic route and much prettier than the way we had come.  Arriving home in the dark, we were exhausted but happy.  Rosie quickly got associated with the rest of the herd and after making sure she was settled, we went inside.