Buster Brown

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We lost the battle of Laminitis, on Buster. In my 13 years of shoeing I had never seen a case as severe as his. He was down so much he had stall sores. He was X-rayed at the beginning and we had just re x-rayed him yesterday. The vet had left in the afternoon and that evening even with Butte and Aspirin in him he was very agitated. But couldn't get up. The latest x-rays showed that he had completely rotated and the coffin bone had dropped, very dramatic changes in 5 weeks time. He had only been getting grass hay so I have no idea of the cause. I had to worlds best shoer helping me he came out literally every day and a wonderful group of vets. We had nitroglycerin patches on him special neoprene shoes to give support. Surgery was a possibility but it would have been over a year of hell for Buster, and less than a 50% chance of success. I sat there for I don't know how long trying to make the decision. I know both the vet and farrier knew what the right decision was it just took me awhile to be able to say it. Even then it took times for him to understand me I think. I came to the decision he had suffered enough, and it was time to end his suffering. 

Buster's Bray, and in the spring time 24 hours a day that could litterly be heard from over a mile away will be missed. But I have put so much effort into getting where I finally am in the mule business, the only answer is to continue on. I will try to do a very quick trip to Kansas and Missouri to see several Mammoth Jack Breeders Ranches, and with Priscilla I may raise another one from scratch like Buster was. I am leaving tonight to go to see what is out there in the Jack world. I did see a couple really good possibility's at the smaller of the two places that I have planed. I am also communicating with several other people in the area for other places to see. 

Meanwhile Jenny not Mom is staying here to watch the mares. Buster has 4 kids due any time now. With more latter in the spring. It should be an exciting foaling year with such a variety of new mule mama's. We now have 2 new spruce trees planted in Memory of Buster and Maggie. I don't know if it is possible But I swear when I walked by Wanderer's pen as Buster was being moved that his eyes showed sadness or confusion. Later when I walked by I looked at his eyes and they were questioning "what is going on". Those two grew up together playing as colts and sharing the girls.

Buster sires longeared foals with good disposition. Buster's 2 year olds have been over 15 hands tall. They have nice heads prominent withers, and will be a friend for life. Mules are known for the sensible heads and are easy keepers. They do well as riding saddle mules, pack mules or hitched single or as a team. Montana Long Ears Association holds a mule show every year in Drummond, Montana, there you can see mules showing in performance, games, cattle events, jumping, driving. Stop by and visit with the folks their, they are all a friendly bunch having fun with their longeared donkeys and mules.