Still doubtful

[glenatron]

For anyone not reading sleepsy_mouse's journal, gorgeous Joe pony colicked badly last night and had to be rushed to the horsepital, where I met up with them late in the evening.

Fortunately, he didn't need surgery -something we might not be able to put him through- and made it through the night. He seems a little brighter today but he's still very melancholy and they think they'll need to keep him in until about Tuesday- looks like sand is the cause of the problem and they need to give his system a chance to flush it all through. Meantimes we have to think very hard about how we can work things given how sandy our yard is and how much we like being there.

And I have to think very hard about whether or not I can be away in Derby for the weekend. I've not missed a Gathering since '98, but if I feel like sleepsy_mouse and Patch need me to be here I wouldn't think twice about staying. She observes that he is in the best possible hands and probably she'll just spend the weekend at Liphook Equine Hospital which is a fair point, but I love them both dearly and I worry about being away and that somehow being related to bad things happening to our horses.

Comments

[spirithorse21.livejournal.com]

oh dear! *hugs* for all of you and best wishes to Joe Pony. couldn't you add a psyllium supplement to their feed to prevent sand colic?

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

We're going to be doing that. Ironically, we were going to do it last week but it was raining so hard the whole time (water makes the psyllium turn into manky jelly stuff none of them like to eat) that we thought it might be better to leave it until the weather was a little dryer.

We don't feel so smart about that right now.

[spirithorse21.livejournal.com]

At least you were there and caught it and got Joe taken care of. We all make silly mistakes ... just so long as we learn from them.

When I had my first pony, I wanted to put her hay in a net because a lot of it was getting wasted. So I put a net up. But I didn't know anything about it and no one told me, so I hung it too low. Lucky for me a boarder was out late that night, and found my poor pony all tied up and on her back! If not for her, my pony would have died.

So don't be too hard on yourself. You made a mistake, you've learned, and it looks like everyone will be ok this time.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

We're hoping, Joe seems stable at least. In every sense. He doesn't much like being in a stable actually, it's not really his kind of thing. Also he wore a rug for the first time today because he was a bit cold. Turns out he can wear rugs without a problem, which is for the best- if he didn't the nurses may have been in a surprising situation.

[kittyfantastico.livejournal.com]

I can understand why you would connect your being away with your horses's (?) health. But, I think it's more to do with the sand (according to the Horse Doctor, right?). Best of luck to you and Lou. Our thoughts are with you (and not at the Gathering).

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Because I was away playing music in Reading last night when Joe got ill and because I was in Toronto when Othello died. I know there is no logical connection, but when things matter as much as these my brain makes massive irrational leaps.

[skye-ds.livejournal.com]

*hugs* *nuzzles* *sugars* for you, Sleepsy, and Joe!

Our best wishes are with you all.

~mille benedizioni~

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Thank-you.

[http://users.livejournal.com/blitzen_/]

*hugs* what bad luck. so glad you were able to catch it in time to help him. we deal with a lot of sand colics over here & the best thing is LOTS of hay and/or feeding from a rubber mat or big tub or something where they don't scavenge. some horses just like to hoover up from the ground tho.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

Joe just loves to hoover up his grass and he puts on weight very easily and gets cresty and borderline laminitic so we can't afford to put him on too much good grazing because that would probably make him very ill as well, but if he's on sparse grass like at the moment ( or at least on a well grazed paddock ) it's perfect for his weight but it looks like after rain the sand is a risk although he's been there all year and this is the first problem we've had with it.

Such a difficult balance to find.

[evil-c.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
Liphook is the best place for him. I spent many an hour there with Minion when he was there. They can do amazing things and really do care for the horses so well.

There is a supplement for horses prone to sand colic or more to the point horses kept on sand soil. Its made by Equine America, its called "Sand out powder". I am told it does the trick but I haven't kept a horse on sand soil for about 12 years and I cant remember what we used to use back then.

You could always send him somewhere else to live. I know it would be horrible but as he's not ridden any more perhaps think about a returement home where he can be a companion? Then again, I know I'd be paranoid as hell that whoever looks after him wouldn't look after him as well as I would if he were mine but it is something to think about.

Hope hes well on the mend.

C.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

The sand-out is derived from psyllium which spirithorse21 was suggesting. Apparently Liphook are trying to administer it but Joe thinks it tastes of skank and why is everyone trying to poison him and why are there all these wires in his neck and it's just not fair.

We're thinking about moving him, it's going to have to be a decision we make quite soon, but it's not easy because we want to be able to see him often, daily if possible, and that probably means moving all of them if we're being practical. If that entails compromising his welfare, however, we'll have to maybe find another way round. None of it is easy, though.

[gemmabowles.livejournal.com]

thats not good, at all. im 2 minutes from the liphook equine centre, if the both of you would like a place to stay, my house is free all weekend (just me here) and the guest room is free, youd be very welcome

[sleepsy-mouse.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, that really is incredibly kind of you.

We can't be far from you, in that case, we're only a 25 minute drive from Liphook - I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of my weekend there!

[gemmabowles.livejournal.com]

nope, not far at all! i have no doubt passed through your town of residence at some point. but by all means, please take up my offer if you need! i shall visit your journal and leave my number in a random comment, just incase. i have a feeling i will be around a lot this weekend.. my car has decided it wants a weekend off. dont think dad will want my driving the sub, but hes not here after all :p

[sleepsy-mouse.livejournal.com]

Thank you all so much.

He's seeming quite a lot brighter this evening, which is promising, he was bright enough to try and go through my pockets and to get very cross when I wouldn't let him barge out of the door; all very good signs.

Now I'm home and everything seems ok and I'm finally able to stop, I just can't stop crying.

I think an early night might be called for.

[skiesfirepaved.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I'm glad to hear he pulled through initially, I'll keep my fingers crossed that he continues to make a good recovery...

[penella22.livejournal.com]

oh my! so sorry to hear of such stressful events.

I am very thankful he's ok now. It does sound like you all have some tough decisions ahead. But I'm just so glad he'll be alright, and he's still with you guys.