The Weekend Ends with a Bang

Have I told you lately how much I hate panels?

Today was supposed to be a nice relaxing end to the weekend, but the universe had other plans.

Tabasco decided it would be a good idea to stick his head through the panels to either itch himself or try and get a better look at some grass sitting outside the pen.

I'm not sure if his head was too close to one of the vertical bars or he just didn't turn it enough, but his head got stuck. And he panicked. He started back pedaling and pulling the panel across his pen, then he lost his balance and fell.

After he fell he tried to get up and made it worse. He ended up with his head stuck in the panel, his neck stretched out, a front leg through the panel and the bottom of the panel over his butt. You could tell it was effecting his breathing and Mom said his eyes were starting to roll. Mom and Dad ended up unhooking the pins on each side of the panel and letting it fall towards Tabasco (we were still holding it so it didn't really fall). Tabasco was able to detangle his leg and head from the panel and roll back onto his feet. Luckily Tabasco remained calm once we were there and working on getting him released or it could have been bad for all of us.

Tabasco has a few scrapes on his face where he pulled the hair off but thankfully nothing serious. It scares me to know of the different outcome we could have had if this had happened while we were at work or if only one of us were home.

I'm so thankful he is okay, I don't know what I would do without him.

Look ma no tack!

Lately when I have been going out to do chores I've been given a few opportunities to work with Tabasco.

He will come up behind me when I am climbing over the panels and he is lined up so nice I can't resist getting on and going for a ride.

One night I was sitting on Tabasco with our backs to the house and Mom came out on the porch and saw us and started hollerin' about how bad we were. It was hilarious because we both stopped and turned our heads the same direction to see which one of us was in trouble!

Shoni will line herself up next to the panels too but as soon as you put your leg over her back she steps away from you or turns and faces you. When I'm on Tabasco she gets jealous and will give me the silent treatment. After "riding" Tabasco for about 30 minutes she finally decided she wanted attention too so she came over to be pet on while I was sitting on him. Then she put her head over Tabasco's back and behind me and rested her head against me. Awe! It was really sweet.

That night Tabasco actually walked about 2 yards (from the trough to the shelter) and didn't say boo about me being on his back. I'm so proud of him and how he handles everything.

Mom was nice enough to come out with me and play photographer while I climbed on Tabasco a different night at feeding time. Thanks Mom!!!! :D