Picket lines or electric corrals

[mtnriderII@webtv.net (Mary Sutliff)]

When Zorro was hurt on the picket line in early August my vet told me
that bad rjope burns can be a very serious injury.  He examied the rope
burn very closely and told us that it looked like Zorro had nicked the
tendon sheath.   If the tendon becomes infected you are in deep trouble.
He said six months to a year to recover was not uncommon and because of
this he felt we should treat the injuy aggressive.  He said that the
problem with rope burns in that the vets don't see them soon enough and
by that time they are infected.  Thank goodness I have always been quick
to call the vet.  Zorro was stalled for three weeks and on antibiotics
for most of that time.  It's not fun giving those shots for a week and
having your horses neck get sore!  After three weeks he was turned out
to pasture - we are still washing the wound twice a day and using
medication on it.  It is healing very well and I have started to ride
him again.  Big vet bill but worth every cent!  I will use the electric
corral whenever possible and we are thinking about taking it on pack
trips too.  The lead rope on the high line did not touch the ground.,
was 6 to 8 inches above the ground and this was a horse that had spent
many an uneventful night on a high line.  With horses there is no sure
thing as I'm sure most of you know.