I saw the blood when I opened the trailer stall partition.  Blood dripping off the top of his eye socket.  Then he blinked as he turned his head to the left to look at me. I realized this one's gonna have to be stitched.  The slice was clean, about 3 inches long and over the muscle.  Everytime he blinked the skin was pulled down away from the top of the eye socket creating a big, raw, bloody pink void.  Poor, poor horse!  Those of you who have read this blog know that Scout has a knack for cutting up his face, particularly around his left eye.  I think this is at least the fourth time in 5 yrs.  *sigh*

We were an hour and a half from home.  Stuart and I were heading out to Denise Leznik's (http://www.insideouthorsetraining.com/) for a morning of riding and training in a huge, heated, well footed arena.  It was our first boondoggle in many, many months  and we were really looking forward to it.  Luckily Denise called a vet clinic about 5 mins from her and they answered.  It was a Sunday morning. Come on over, they said.  We unloaded Stuart's mares and left them for Denise to start working with.  Loaded Scout back up and drove to Kendall Road Equine Hospital.



I love the braided forelock.  He was a good patient.



Looking much better now.

  Both Stuart and I were very impressed with the hospital. Stuart is hosting a Joe Wolter clinic at Denise's later in the year, so he was happy to learn that there was a clinic so close to her, should someone need it at that time.  Dr. John Vacek, watched over the young vet taking care of Scout and then gave us a tour of the facility while Scout "woke up".  Dr. Vacek showed us the surgery rooms, all connected by a steel beam conveyor to move the horse from pre-op, to surgery, to post-op.  I also found out that our local vet sends referrals to Dr. Vacek quite a bit. 

Um....you ARE coming back for me, right?!

We loaded Scout and went back to Denise's.  Settled Scout in a stall, and then watched Denise ride Stuart's little Nokotah mare. She had worked with Stuart's paint mare while we were gone.  Denise is a fabulous rider and a great horsewoman.  I always learn something watching her.  Loaded back up, with Scout in the last spot of the 4 horse slant and drove home.

Maddie hanging out with me while Flaxie works.

Denise on Flaxie.

Maddie looking over my shoulder mouthing my ponytail.

Flaxie investigating my phone after her ride.

The ride home was filled with conversation of "what ifs" and "we should of".  I am kicking myself a little.  I have thought that Stuart's 4 horse slant is a tight fit for Scout.  Slant load trailers were first designed so that ranch horses could be transported efficiently.  The slant design allowed for more horses in a smaller sq foot area and gear could be carried underneath or in front of the trailer.  Ranch horses are usually on the smaller side, so there isn't a problem with head room or foot room.  But Scout is not little. And he is just always nosing around and finding stuff to get into.
For more about trailers and their designs read this post.
   But Scout was tied this time and he scrapped his eye on a rivet, not the manger....so next time... I haul him myself. Which is why I bought my Brenderup.  Lots of space in front of the horse. I have been hauling him all last year without incident in my Brenderup.
  I am proud of Scout.  Even though he was hurt and not feeling great...he self loaded into Stuart's trailer every single time I asked him on Sunday.  He was on and off the trailer a total of 8 times in a 6 hour span!  He has come really far in that department.