Rio's Home!

Finally, Rio is back in Colorado after his trailer accident! I went to Idaho last week to pick him up. How do you thank someone for taking care of an injured horse for you? My dear friend, Kathryn, had Rio in a big box stall for over a month. She wrapped his knee daily, hand walked him and fed him lots of cookies! I just can not thank her enough for all she did for Rio. True friends are such a treasure.

Rio really seems to be glad to be back home. His buddy, Handsome Hank, is right outside his pen. Rio relied on Hank to keep the bears and wolves away from him when he was unable to walk. Since Rio has been home, he is feeling better. When I take him out for his walks, he bucks a little, more like hops and even trots a few steps totally sound. I think he is just testing his leg a bit. In a few more days, I will start ponying him on his walks. I found a rehab facility not far away that will take Rio for aqua-therapy to help strengthen the tendons across the face of his knee. Other than that, time should heal all wounds.

Just when you think you have everything under control on the medical front, a colt ran through a wire fence and torn up his shoulder. Of course, it was a nice Maverick colt. So that little fella is getting doctored as well as Rio.

Did I mention the newest members of the ranch are two very cute mini-donkeys named Concho and Gringo? I have been taking them with me on some of my trips and they are so much fun. I hope to add their photos to my gallery page soon.

I should be home for the rest of the summer so give me a call. I need to get Hank back in shape for the ranch horse shows in the fall. The next big trip for me will be to Ruidoso on Labor Day for the All American Derby.

Have a great summer!