Oh, don't I know it! I haven't slept over this in days (this is day 5). The only reason I'm not actively tearing my hair out/making a vet camp here, is she
has been getting partway up, she just can't support all her weight on her strained hock and goes right back down again. She's as mobile as a down cow can be, eating everything in sight and even still washing her calf (6 months old). We're hopeful that letting a sling take most of her weight for a few hours will help her realize that standing doesn't = pain. The next step, of the injections, are actually not approved for cows, so that's why the wait is at least a week of patience, oral anti-inflammatories and massage - just helping it heal gently.
Sadly, a sheet won't cut it. Bessie is a BIG girl. In horse, she's 15.2hh, and about 1600#+, and cows are front heavy. But the sling IS on it's way and I do have a tractor to lift her with. We already jury-rigged a sling to get her from the field to the barn, so she's been lifted once.
Me and mah Bessie
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You should look into a half-lease! It's a great way to dabble and see if horse ownership might be for you. I lease out my horses on the regular, and have some leased to me, it's very common thing. Or even just ask your neighbor if he needs an exercise rider. Personally, I have a bunch that need exercise and I'm busy with my youngstock, if someone wanted to come out here and ride regularly, it would be hard for me to not laugh maniacally with glee for my new saddle slave and just say yes.
Ok, really going to start a new thread for this - sorry Moonshiner!
