Animal Crackers: Ankle Mishap

A routine visit yesterday to feed the horse turned out badly. I fed and brushed the horse (springtime shedding is fully underway) and then wanted to brush around his ears, which he does not like. I tried a few times to brush the area, but Downy kept tossing his head back. I decided I'd just get the halter and lead rope so I'd have more control of the situation.

A few attempts to brush his ear area were no more successful with the halter than without it. Then I got the "bright" idea that I could simply "encourage" Downy to lower his head by pulling firmly down on the lead rope. Once I got his head down to about my chest level he lifted quickly up with his head, lifting me off the ground in the process. When I landed I realized that I had rolled my left ankle and was feeling a twinge of pain in the outside of the ankle. I limped a few steps over to where Downy was, finished brushing his head (which he finally stood calmly for) and tried walking away.

It was of no use. By now I could feel my ankle swelling inside my boot and the pain was unbearable when I put weight on the foot.

I called Dad and he came to my rescue. Though I was having some luck hopping around the paddock and barn area, there was no chance I would have made it to my car due to a glacier of ice that stood in my way. Dad emptied the wheelbarrow and put the feed tub away for me and then loaded me into the wheelbarrow and wheeled me to my car.