Article July 30, 1979 Issue

Dee-Dee and the grain scoop

Marjorie Ponder Matchette

Every day Karen went to the barn to watch Dee-Dee, a dark chestnut mare, and Critter, her wobbly-legged foal, in their stall. John, the farm manager, always kept the stall fresh and clean, supplying flakes of sweet-smelling hay for Dee-Dee to nibble. Often after she had scattered out the hay flakes and was ready to enjoy them, Critter would flop down right in the middle to take his nap. Dee-Dee would quietly eat the hay around him—careful not to disturb his rest—and wait until he got up to eat the hay beneath him. Karen loved the peaceful atmosphere and was always careful not to make any sudden moves or noises to disturb this gentle scene.

However, one day when Karen went to watch them, she saw Dee-Dee had a metal cast on her back leg. Karen looked again, closer. Yes, a sheet of galvanized metal ran up the inside of her leg to her knee. The base of the cast covered her foot.

"What's happened?" Karen wondered. "Maybe John had that cast put on to keep her from kicking the stall—or from pacing around in it too much. Maybe it's to keep her from hurting herself or Critter.

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