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

[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.