Pain and Patience

River, my Equine Coach, has been dealing with a hurt foot these past two weeks.  After rest and visits from the farrier, the veterinarian came to visit.  Being that River can't speak in human terms, there was a deductive process that the vet used to isolate the location of the problem.  River, due to the way she is built,  has some imperfect conformation, which she has been able to compensate for all her life.  Her new horse shoes may have changed the way she compensates and she has become sore.  So, off come the shoes, and she is now recuperating with anti-inflammatories and rest, as well as some compound to apply to her feet to make her the bottom of her hooves stronger.

Watching River as she was given shots for nerve blocks to isolate the cause of her pain, I was impressed with how stoically she withstood the shots injected into her foot area and how patiently she stood during the x-rays.   She was a model of perfect behavior, whether an equine or human patient!

In our lives, we often have to deal with pain -- whether it be physical or emotional -- sometimes as minor as just not wanting to do something because we find it unpleasant.  Strength to do what is necessarily in the face of pain takes courage.  And sometimes pain can last longer than we would like.  To cultivate patience in the face of pain or adversity takes strength and courage.  As this is all part of the human (and equine) condition, my wish for all is the strength of courage and patience through pain and adversity.  And of course, a speedy recovery for my beloved Equine Coach.  Love you, River!