Today my horse Capprichio has an abscess in his hoof.  It is very painful, and hard to watch him stand on three legs, lifting the sore hoof, limping badly as he moves from one place to another. An abscess can happen when a nail from the shoe is poorly seated.  We pulled the shoe, poulticed the hoof, and he will feel better soon.

Capprichio’s eyes, even in pain, are steady and clear.  Soft, even.  He does not look worried  He is not making something out of this.  I think it is because he is not focused on the pain.  He feels it, no doubt, but it is not his chief preoccupation and distraction.  He is enjoying his hay, the December air and the view from his stall.  That and the pear that I brought him today.  Another lesson.