CATCHING UP

It's been awhile since I added to the blog, although I'm sure everyone will enjoy reading about Pepsi's adventure in the blog below this one, with his running partner Carol.  I've never met Carol, but she obviously enjoyed running with our boy today and that makes her alright in my book.........!!!

I am having computer problems, and can't download pictures from my go-pros, which I use on the race car.  I also can't download pictures from my regular camera.  I haven't joined the camera phone "craze", but at least my camera is new enough it doesn't use film........!!!  LOL

John thinks the reader in the computer has went kaput.  Of course it's taken me a couple of days and buying new adapters, etc, for him to come up with that idea.  So I have an e-mail into the local IT guy, hopefully he can get me back up quickly.  But in the meantime I will have to rely on Linda's pictures, which I usually do anyway.  I never have my camera with me when I need it and she always does.

The donkeys are NOT happy campers right now.  They have been on restriction for a week or so, no Burroland at all, 2 hours out of their pens during the day and then they are out from 10pm to about 6am.  We've had some rain and quite a bit of wind.  The wind knocks the mesquite beans out of the trees, which is why they need to be restricted from eating as many beans as they can find.  I keep telling them, they are lucky to be out at all, we could keep them in the pens day and night.  I took a couple of good pictures looking thru the pens at all the donkeys, looking towards me, with expectation of getting out.  Unfortunately they are hiding in my camera....!!! We had a pretty good rain today, hopefully it will help the beans on the ground over in Burroland to turn black quickly.  The donkey's are smart enough they don't eat the beans once they change color.  Once the beans turn black they should be able to go back over there, of course it won't be as much fun as it would be with beans laying all over the place.........!!!

 We're still doctoring, we're down to just doctoring Boaz and Cisco every morning and checking all the others while we pull up socks and give everybody a visual inspection.   We're putting Corona hoof dressing on Boaz and Gus' coronets.  They both have lousy hooves and the last time Tyler was here to reset shoes on the ones that need them one of them being Gus, he recommended trying some lanolin dressing to see if it would help.  So we'll see if he is impressed when he comes back in a couple of weeks.  

I guess we are going to hear the patter of little feet around here.  We have a roadrunner couple that have built a nest in a cluster of mistletoe in one of the mesquite trees.  John thinks their nest is a mess, but all of the cuckoos build lousy messy nests and it seems to work for them.  We watched the males especially running around gathering up sticks and delivering them to the spot.  Not sure if they both build, or if he finds the material and she builds.  She is now sitting on the nest and he is catching lizards.  At the rate they are going they are going to be really hard on our lizard population unfortunately.  I tried to take a picture of the nest, but all you can see from the ground is mistletoe, obviously they know the value of camouflage.  I have never seen a baby roadrunner, except in pictures and they have a face only a mother could love, ugly little suckers......!!!

Now to update racing........not a good race this week-end.  I finished 2nd in the heat race and almost made it 2 laps in the main event, when things went awry, to put it mildly. I tried to save it, which probably wasn't the best thing to do.  I should have kept it against the wall when it hit the 1st time but that goes against my nature, I've never learned to do that.........!!!  LOL

As usual John said it was totaled at the track, but on seeing it in the light of day he thinks it can be fixed enough to finish out the season.  We only have 4 more races for the Hornets and I'm not going to have a very good year anyway.  Our grandson has a friend with a frame jig, of course this will be the 2nd time it's been in a jig, if it's needed hopefully the metal isn't too fatigued.  John says he wants to see if he can straighten it himself.  It's not as bad as it was last year.

But in the interest of being ready to go, we are suppose to drive up to the Phoenix area tomorrow and pick up what will be next season's car.  Changing "brands" again, this one is a 2000 Chevy Cavalier, it's already been stripped out, needs the roll cage put in and the motor checked out.

DON'T FORGET TO READ ABOUT PEPSI AND CAROL'S ADVENTURE BELOW

PEPSI'S RUNNING PARTNER'S STORY OF THEIR ADVENTURE TODAY

Carol took the time to write down her story of today running with Pepsi.  What a wonderful tribute to a sweet little guy that loves people and obviously is getting into burro racing.  Thank you Carol for appreciating his efforts to please and to enjoy the day with you.  

 

My Epic Adventure with Pepsi (my soul burro)

When Amber, the burro running partner match maker, mentioned that there was a burro without a partner I was so excited until the reality of running 15 miles at elevation with a burro I didn’t know set in. She mentioned it might be a long day since Pepsi was new to the sport and liked to take it easy. I looked up his past results and I figured out what she meant.

All my apprehension left when I met Pepsi. His warm snuggles and kind eyes instantly melted me. He was so willing to walk away from his friends when I took him to my car to load up with my snacks, extra water, and jacket. Coming back from the cars others were drawn to him as well, it could have been Linda’s amazing pack saddle adornments, it was like walking with a burro celebrity. Everyone gathered around him and asked questions. Pepsi loved this which only drew more people in and everyone commented on his athletic physique. He calmly stood while everyone from small children to elderly folks petted him, took pictures, told stories about Pepsi and donkeys they knew.

He willingly went to the start and seemed to have ample confidence in his new sneakers to protect his hooves from getting sore on the rocky trail that we were about to embark on. He was unfazed by the crowds of people and other excited donkeys. When the gun shot he was ready and unlike his first adventure went calmly with me. He trotted at a steady pace and seemed unconcerned about the donkey mayhem that surrounded us.

I huffed and puffed the thin mountain air as we ran up a busy road. He didn’t even mind when I made him walk but then he would eagerly trot when I started to run again. I felt like I had found my perfect running match, humans don’t seem to appreciate my stop and starting. He was better than my dog to run with by far. The beginning of the course varied from road to bike path to rough cut came trail marked with blue and yellow tape along a riverbed. He didn’t even stop to try to grab a bite of grass in the lush meadow.

Our first checkpoint where there were spectators had several people who recognized him from the morning. I was so surprised as they called out Pepsi or honked on the road and cheered, he had gained quite the fan club. He just perked his cute little ears and gave them a nuzzle.

After our second check point we turned on a dirt road up a hill, he was done running! However as long as I didn’t pressure him he walked at a good pace in a straight line, which was much more than several others we saw. We kept up our nice walking pace and casually enjoyed the view together. For most of the way back we walked alone, not another burro in sight. He didn’t seem to mind this one bit and it was oddly calming and nice to just hear our foot/hoof beats.

I got nervous with about 4 miles to go as the clouds got dark and the wind picked up. I talked to him and begged him to hurry a little because I didn’t want us to get hit by lightning. This is when I learned that Pepsi went at Pepsi’s pace and he would go at this pace even if I dragged, encouraged from behind, whistled, yelled “up”, bribed with an apple, or just walked at his pace doing nothing. He seemed the happiest when we walked together side by side.

The last few miles were the hardest, the wind had picked up and we were alone on the rough cut trail in the river bed. He was not really wanting to go fast and my head was aching. I tried to cross the busy road that we started on but then I saw the flags, Pepsi didn’t like this change of plans. He is so smart that he knew the way we came and that is the way he wanted to go but slowly I convinced him to go the other way. We went over boulders and squeezed between a fence and a steep cliff, Pepsi was not sure about this. Then we went along a current mine which was fun and felt very historic. This was when we could see Fairplay and hear the music. Pepsi still was apprehensive but went along with it. I was curious as we kept going down the hill and Fairplay was at the top as to how we were going to get up to the town and then I saw some of the path that was ahead of us, it had loose rocks, big boulders, and fallen trees. I was a little worried about coming across a moose or a bear, I think my brain gets phobic when alone, so I started to whistle and rely on Pepsi’s ears. It was very comforting to be with him. I really doubted if we were going to make it and concerned about little Pepsi and his little legs but he boldly and bravely went through the thick forage, over the big fallen trees after some careful contemplation and then boldly pulled us up the steep loose rock to the top. I was so proud of him!

Once we got to the top we were greeted by spectators who cheered us on! I was so surprised at the amount of people who were still there. We went through the historic old town and people cheered, ringed the bell and tooted the train horn. Everyone cheered “it’s Pepsi”, “congratulations” and “good job”. The gates opened just for us to the last stretch of pavement, lined with people, to the finish line. We had a long time to enjoy this because Pepsi was not going to run but walk his steady walk. It was such a great feeling to have everyone cheer and call his name and a little embarrassing as I was not used to that many eyes focusing on us, but Pepsi didn’t care. When we got closer to the finish line there were photographers there to capture our finish. He walked proudly until he reached that white line and stopped abruptly. The crowd erupted in laughter! He waited for me and then we walked over it together.

After I was so happy to be done. I truly understand where the saying “dragging ass” came from after the last several miles where he needed more encouragement but Pepsi was the best partner and I was very thankful for our time alone to ponder the world. He has an unfaltering positivity and sweet look that couldn’t be interrupted by other burros, my pressure or any other environmental change. He was going to go at his pace and that was that. He was perfectly mannered and the only time he doubted me was when I got anxious or the path changed.

After the race I was exhausted and my head still pounded. I sat on the pavement in front of him and cuddled his head. He lovingly blew on me. My eyes welled up a bit either from exhaustion, the altitude or my new love for my long eared friend. I really respect little Pepsi and decided I wanted to be a lot more like him. He doesn’t care about the world around him or what people think; he just does his thing, is kind to everyone, and nothing can persuade him to change. He is such a sweet little calming guy and I wouldn’t have wanted to run with any other burro that day.

SUMMER IS WEARING THIN......!!

The last couple of days have been just a degree or two over 100*, which is a definite improvement over, up to and including 110* degrees for about the last week.  Once the rains were over it really started heating up.

Haven't  been doing much, although John still goes to the garage and works on the cars.  Courtney came to trim feet last Sunday.  She had been trimming feet all day in the heat, I don't know how she does it.  Anyone that works out in the heat of the day, deserve our admiration.

Gus popped a small abscess right below the coronet a few days ago.  He had been really ouchy every since his last shoe reset.  I thought his heels might have been taken down a little bit too much, but guess he had something else going on too.  I got in touch with Tyler and he said to put some Epsom salts gel or paste on it and cover with gauze and vet wrap.  I didn't know such a thing existed, and have found out that it doesn't exist in Benson.  But the World Wide Web comes to the rescue again.  Just takes time.

I have no idea where Linda found this picture, but it sure is cute.  She said Lynn wants to make it for one of the donkeys.  Not sure it would be a big hit with any of them..........!!  LOL

Lynn and Linda are burro pack racing this Sunday at Fairplay, CO.  It's the 70th anniversary celebration of burro races.  To keep something as chaotic as burro racing going for that long says something about how much fun it is.

Fairplay is the 1st leg of the Triple Crown, which I think is like the World Series in baseball.  Next week will be Leadville and the next week Buena Vista.  Besides only having a week between each race, they are all long races, between 13 and 29 miles long, hopefully everyone will be a tip top shape.

They have been trying to get boots for the tender footed Arizona boys.  They are finding out measuring for shoes is not that easy.  They got a pair of boots for Justin and they were too small for him, but not big enough for Loki.  They found some called Cute Little Boots made for minis and are working with a farrier that is involved with the burro racing, so hopefully they'll get it all figured out before racing season is over.

I'm suppose to race this Saturday, weatherman is forecasting 20-40% chance of rain, depending on which channel you watch.   It's been a month since the Hornet Class raced, hope I remember what I'm suppose to do.........!!  LOL

Sharing the neighbor's dog can be worrisome.  Roxy didn't come over to get fed twice a day or to lay in the air conditioned feed room for 2 days.  We were beginning to think something had happened to her, when she showed up for breakfast yesterday morning, rested up in the feed room all day.  Now we haven't seen her all day today.  She came in covered with dried mud, so I assume she had been down to the rancher's swamp area.  Wouldn't think it would be interesting enough to spend 2 days there, but maybe so. 

CATCHING UP..........!!

Our great grandson has been out from Tucson for the week.  It's been "interesting" , I know why people have kids when they are younger......!!!  I wish I had half his energy, shucks, I be happy with  10%.....!!!  LOL

His  dad is out for the week-end to take him back to town and I made J.R. a chocolate pie before he got here.  I don't think Hunter has ever "licked the pan" before.  Actually grandpa licked the pan, Hunter got the spoon and one of the beaters.  Less clean up that way......!!  Grandpa's had training....!!

Of course he had to get cleaned up afterwards.......!!

We've actually had quite a few people coming out to see the donkeys lately.  Most of them have been "drop ins".  We like to have people call ahead to make sure someone is here, but if they show up we let them come in and visit with the donkeys.  It's been so hot and humid lately, I'm surprised that they come out at all, but they seem to have a good time, and of course the donkeys enjoy the extra attention.  

My doctoring is down to a minimum, mostly make sure the socks on their legs are up to keep the flies from eating on their legs.  The habronema sores on Boaz and Cisco are healed, Rosie's belly is dry, so basically John and I patrol everyone in the morning after chores to check everyone.  

A few days ago I spent a couple of hours combing, cutting and clipping  on BlackJack.  He doesn't have much of the French breed Poitou in him. But there's enough to make his hair long and very fine.  In hot humid weather his hair mats really bad.  I had clipped his armpits earlier, but as usual life got in the way and it had been awhile since I checked him.  Poor guy was matted just about everywhere and had actually rubbed hair off in a few places.

So I got out my tools and went to work.  He wanted to stand in the sun, which I really preferred the shade of his shelter.  So finally got that straightened out and it went pretty good, some of them had to be cut out, but I've got a couple of good shedder combs that work really well.

His belly was literally covered with mats, so I went to get the clippers, when I came back he had moved back out to the sun.......!!!   GRRRR......!!!  I didn't want to use clippers, where it showed.  His hair is long enough that people instantly recognize he is different than the other donkeys, so I didn't want to ruin his "style"..........!! 

I'm sure he is more comfortable, he sure looks a lot better.  I could clip him in the spring like I do Coquette, but they say the Poitous hair doesn't get as long if you clip them.  I don't know why it wouldn't, so I'll just keep doing it the way I've done it for years.

Heard from Lynn and Linda this week.  Of course they've been up to something.  Last week they look Pepsi, Justin and Quilla out to an assisted living home to visit with the people.  None of the boys have been trained, but donkeys have a natural affinity for children and adults and seem to know when they need to be quiet and cooperative.  Of course Lynn and Linda took the quiet ones, I noticed they didn't take Leo and Loki.........LOL

Pepsi entertaining the people, I would imagine he's trying to figure out how to get to the grass.  Justin's already figured it out.

 

Quilla working his magic...!!

 Justin and a new friend

  Breaktime........yummy.....!!

 Home again, where'd all the grass go?

 Justin, Lynn and Linda planning their next adventure..!!

OVER 5 INCHES AND COUNTING........!!!

The clouds are moving in this afternoon, although it's later than usual.  The last 2 days we got lots of rain and the wash ran.  In fact yesterday the county had just cleaned all the rock, mud and trash off the road from the day before and we had another gully washer and put it all back.  

I went to town yesterday and John said take the truck, because the little car wouldn't have made it. Except when I went out the road grader had just finished doing a good job of getting rid of all the dirt and trash  on the road.  I hadn't been home an hour and all that changed.........!! 

Dr. Jeremy was here to do dentals on Jasper and Lynn, one of the minis when I got home.  I guess Jasper and his parrot mouth wasn't too bad, although for some reason he couldn't or wouldn't open his mouth enough to do a good job on his rear teeth.  I've never seen many parrot mouths and asked how bad his was and Dr. Jeremy said it could be a lot worse, so that's good.  

When I drove in they were wrestling Lynn to the stock.  She had already had more drugs than Jasper and had 3 or 4 grown men busy trying to control her.   She had already tried to kick Dr. Jeremy's dad in the face and before it was over, after she had more drugs she managed to nail him in the shin.  She fell off the side of the stock and scraped her leg.  She was absolutely serious about not having her mouth worked on and after one more shot, Dr. Jeremy decided it wasn't going to get any better, so we decided to quit, while everyone still had all their body parts...........LOL 

Lynn's problem is she is a mini with some dwarf issues, one of which is a small mouth with full size teeth.  I think her rear teeth are lined up pretty good, but her front teeth are a jumbled mess, we've had 2 or 3 pulled over the years, which of course, jumbles them even more with extra space to move around.  

 Linda shared some videos of what they've been up to.  They needed to measure Justin's feet for boots and went out to measure him.  Catching him has become a challenge or a lot of fun depending on which side of the equation you are.  

As this video shows one of them is having a great time, running and frolicking, the other one.....not so much.  I'm not sure how long it went on, but she also sent a later video of Lynn not quite as speedy..!!  

I guess Justin finally got tired enough to think hiding behind Pepsi might work.  

Not sure if the sequence is correct, but I can't imagine what is going thru Justin and Pepsi's mind.  Of course while this is all going on, Pepsi probably can't figure out what the big deal is........you stand still the people come up to you and you get cookies, so what's the problem?

 SUCCESS.....!!

I'm sure it took a lot less time to measure his feet than it did to catch him........LOL

Well at least the dogs are having fun.........!!!  They've been really dry, and are having to use hoses to water the yard.  Doesn't seem to slow the dogs down.  Lola just wants someone to play ball with her, she's not into all that tug of war stuff.  

 

MONSOON HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED

As of about an hour ago, no more sprinkles and threats, we got about 20 minutes of really hard rain, the type you can't go out in and stay on your feet.  I guess it's over, the birds have come back to the feeders.  Now we have to wait for the wash to go down, so the donkeys will come across for supper.  Most of them will not wade thru water 1/2 inch deep, although John just came in and said Don came across like no big deal.  He is the exception, believe me, so we'll be feeding late tonight.....!!!  It usually takes about an hour for the wash to go down.

This was right after it quit raining, the wash was already running and rising.  Gigi, hiding in the trees and about half the herd are on the other side, basically trapped, until the water goes down. 

This is one of the 2 fences that run across the wash and get taken out if the wash runs bank to bank.  When that happens panic sets in, this one just lets the donkeys over on Burroland, so no big deal.  But the other one on the east side opens out into "wild" country.  The idea of a bunch of donkeys heading out like Loki Joe did this spring, on 8,000 acres isn't a pleasant thought......LOL

 We had a little "guest" on the courtyard last night.  Three of the cats were focused on the patio screen door.  John went out and this little guy had come thru the gate and was trying to continue his walk by attempting to climb the wall.

Gila Monsters are one of the 2 poisonous lizards in this part of the world, and they are pretty cranky and can give you a nasty bite.  We think this is one we've seen on the property a couple of times over the years.

John got a broom and started trying to get him to the gate.  He hissed and lunged at the broom the whole way, but finally figured out where freedom was and off he went.

Heard from Diane, who has been fostering one of our donkeys for about 3 years as a companion for her jenny and her old riding gelding, Hank.  A couple of days ago, they were getting lightening and thunder, Diane went out to get them into the barn.  I think she said Hank had been in the barn and went out, calling for the girls.  They had all turned around headed for the barn with Hank in the lead, when he was struck by lightening and killed instantly.  Diane said he was about 3 feet from a metal post, they don't know if it hit the post and went thru his feet or just hit him.  John said because they have no trees or anything tall out there, it might have hit Hank because he was taller than anything else in the area.  That would be a horrible shock, even though he was 31 years old he was healthy and had been with Diane for 21 years. 

RAIN, RAIN, COME AND STAY...!!

No rain yet, but today is cloudy off and on as the clouds and the sun play tag.  Suppose to be a 50/50 chance of rain, so we'll see.  

When we got about an inch of rain in June, John noticed about half of the pens had areas that needed sand/gravel added.  Most of the areas were in the shelters, so the donkeys didn't have anyplace to get out of the rain, even if they wanted to. The low areas were full of water. 

 So we ordered some gravel to fill in the pens.  We actually got 2 trailer loads, 24 tons.  Sounds like a lot, but the 1st trailer load is on the ground and the driver is getting ready to unload the the other trailer, the gravel piles  actually look tiny compared to the size of the truck and trailers. 

 Now is the fun part..........John on the tractor and Doug on a shovel.  They've done it before with 1/2 as much gravel a couple of years ago.  As hot and humid as it is right now, they haven't been very eager to get started. Actually it was only delivered yesterday and John is talking about maybe tomorrow.  LOL  Probably will have to see how the weather is, it's not much fun in the first place, and trying to do it in the rain would be horrible.  

While the guys are playing with the gravel,  John is going to have to use the backhoe to dig out pee ponds in Frijolita and Jasper's pens. They both have one spot, in their shelters of course, where they pee.  We know from past experience when they do this, it eventually smells like an outhouse.  Doug has been putting PDZ stall freshener on the areas, but it's time to dig them up and replace the gravel with clean gravel.  When John digs it up the gravel will have turned black, and be so compacted it would take a miner's pick to break it up if he didn't have the backhoe.  It will be that way down about 4 feet.  I'm sure we insult them by destroying their potty spot, but it doesn't take them long to rebuild it.  Don and Bill actually help Frijolita, every morning they go in her pen and pee on her "pond".  Not sure what it means, but it seems rude to me....LOL

This is Boaz's shoulder with the habronema larvae problem.  I've think I've finally got it under control, so hopefully if I can keep anymore larvae from settling in it might actually heal.  The one at the top by itself, is the one that Dr. Jeremy might have to lance, although I haven't gotten any little dead bodies out the last few days.  The problem is dead bodies are probably still in there that I can't find and he's tired of me digging.  

Boaz is usually easy to get along with, but if he's had enough he can be formidable.  He usually just lets me know enough is enough and we quit on a good note.  I guess he kicked Doug the other day, when Doug was trying to pull up one of his leggings.  Just a tap on the arm to let Doug know, he was done.  I would imagine he had given a warning and Doug didn't read it.  

We're getting a few sprinkles as I write, so hopefully it will continue.....!!

IT'S TRYING TO LOOK LIKE RAIN....!!

John went to Benson yesterday afternoon and said about 6 drops hit the windshield on the way home.  But that's about it so far.  Our monsoons that last few years have been very disappointing and the desert weeds and cactus are starting to look stressed.  Even if we have a good year for rain, it's not enough to catch up long term.  

Boaz is about the only one I'm still having to doctor on a regular basis.  He has an encapsulated habronema larvae on his shoulder.  I'm sure it's dead, but the area is swollen and he is tired of me messing with it.  When Dr Jeremy comes out to do teeth, I'll have him lance it.  Poor Boaz seems to have a lousy immune system that makes him a fly magnet.  The corner of his mouth is all but healed, but his shoulder is still a mess, and his "boy" parts are having to be cleaned and doctored twice a day, to keep ahead of more damage.  The problem with the guys is if it itches, they bite and make nasty bloody sores, which doesn't help with the fly problem.  

Many years ago when we got Cisco I as a friend for BlackJack, he was a horrible fly magnet and he was also very difficult to work with, very distrustful and wild.  We had to have him put down after 7 months because he had destroyed his sheath, we had no trailer and would have had to haul him to a specialty clinic to fix the damage.  We got a trailer as soon as we could, so an emergency like that wouldn't happen again, hopefully.  

Lynn, Linda and the gang did another parade on the 4th of July in Creede.  They took all 7 donkeys and had friends to walk with the extras.  

This was before the parade, when Loki Joe and Mark were getting ready.  Looks like Quilla is more than willing to help with the candy.!! LOL

This is Quilla with Stephanie, his #1 fan.  Although, Linda said he's quite popular with everyone, the people will stand in line to pet him.  Stephanie walked him in a couple of parades last year and was anxious for him to come back this year.  The empty bucket must have still smelled like candy..!!

Turbo molesting a float, probably making sure there weren't any flowers or edibles on board.

I see the little escapes artists make this parade unlike the one the day before.......LOL

The boys look like they are going to rob a bank........LOL

Leo definitely knows how to pose

INDEPENDENCE DAY.....!!!

It's sad to see "man on the street" interviews asking people what the 4th of July means and they don't have a clue.  What is really sad is they don't seem to care that they are ignorant, it's like a big joke.  

Well enough of that.... on to the fun stuff.

Linda and Lynn ready to "parade"

I was surprised to have pictures this morning from a parade.  I assume Southfork had their parade yesterday.

Turbo, Leo Charlie his handler, and Leddy

 

Leddy doing his "aren't I bootiful" stance, I think he knows when Linda has the camera

Leo and Charlie, discussing strategy perhaps?

You might have notice there were no minis in this parade.  The little devils have decided they don't have to be caught and they are on 40 acres, which pretty much means.........they don't have to be caught if they don't want to.  So this pen is set up with hay in it to hopefully catch the little monsters, so they can be in the Creede parade today. 

MEET AND GREET at the races last Saturday night.  Didn't finish as good as I'd like, this year is turning into a fight for every point.  At least the car came home in one piece.  New cars are coming in, which can be fun and frustrating.  But it makes for more competitive racing for us and more fun for the spectators to watch.  Not as easy to have a good finish though.

Dr. Jeremy was suppose to come out this morning to float Jasper and Lynn's teeth.  Jasper is parrot mouthed and when he got here, Dr. Jeremy came out and examined him.  At the time we weren't sure he would survive, so dental work was put off until later.  Jasper is doing good, losing a little weight, no more problems with his feet, so time to get those teeth looked at.  The link above shows all sorts of problems with equine mouths, parrot mouth being just one of them.  And Jasper's mouth is worse than the parrot mouth pictured. 

Unfortunately Dr. Jeremy is so busy he had to cancel.  He knows we are flexible, so no problem.  I just wish he could get a break, I'm not even sure he ever gets to sleep thru the night.  He's looking for another vet to come in  and help, which would be great, but so far hasn't found someone.