Now What?

I am not tuned in today, but know that a lot of snow melted.  Still woke up at 6 but stayed in bed until 7.  Very strange not going out to do chores by 8.  Little Wonder and Sidney must have wanted to keep me company....guess they can feel it.

Eventually I got dressed and went out to the barn to start organizing all things horse.

Little Wonder (naked) joined me.

I still have so much stuff.  Already sent a lot out with Buddy and the rest will be taken out to Glen Darrach Farm this week.

Last night Andrea sent me a photo of him in his stall and this morning this was waiting for me when I got back in the house.  Buddy was turned out in a paddock and the other horses were checking him out,

I really appreciated seeing him.

At 1pm Gary, Darryl and Nancy arrived and we played music for a couple of hours.  Sidney got his usual quota of attention.

No videos today....but we did have a good time.

It was good for me to be distracted.  I put a post up on FB yesterday about losing Rebel and heard from so many people....from California to New Zealand.  It was seen by over 5,000 people.  Today I posted a thank you and 1,700 more tuned in.  Rebel was loved and I appreciate all of the comments and support.

I think Little Wonder knows something is different.

Still not interested in cooking.  Sat by the fire and then managed to

make some hot dogs.

I've been posting photos of my horses since this Journal was started in 2008.  What the heck am I going to do now?  When Alice and I (and Buddy's Mom) go out to give Buddy a Spa Day I will have to take photos of him and can start doing photo shoots of his pals.

Of course I can't stop thinking about Rebel.

Thank you again,, for caring about my boy.

Night all.

No More Spa Days at Skoog Farm

It's been a rough 24 hours. This morning Rebel was put down and Buddy was moved to my friend Andrea's farm so he can be with other horses.  I spent most of last night in the barn and by this morning, before 6am, I knew that I had to call the vet and make arrangements.  Jenny and Scott were here for support and Andrea arrived with a trailer to collect Buddy and take him to her farm.  This woman has been here for every horse problem I have ever had and I am so grateful.  The vet arrived at 10, the trailer was here by 10:15, Rebel was put down by 10:30 and we made sure Buddy was able to see him before leaving the farm.  I sent him off with all kinds of blankets, supplements, hay and more.  Rebel was picked up by 11:15 and I could not watch that part.  Have been crying all day, but know it was the right thing to do.

5:45am

Buddy knew something was up.

I put out a post on FB and spent the afternoon reading so many thoughtful messages....crying the whole time.  As if that was not enough, a beautiful bouquet arrived....

with this message from our neighbors.  That finished me off.

I will never forget this duo....loved them both so much.

So glad Rebel came into my life.

Tonight I did not have to do chores....and tomorrow I don't have to get up a 6.  It's so empty out there after taking care of horses for 46 years.  This will be life changing for me.

Night all.

PS

Alice and I just had a good long cry and will be taking Spa Day out to Glen Darrach Farm to give Buddy some extra attention.

Called the Vet Tonight

This ended up being a tough night for Rebel and Dr. Ayers arrived a little after 6:30.

This morning the sun was shining and things seemed par for the course.

I spent the afternoon binging a series (Lincoln Lawyer) and relaxing with my buddies.

Out for chores around 5:30. 

I noticed Rebel kicking at his stomach before he went in.

Instead of going to his stall to eat he went to the back of the run in area and just stood there.  Eventually he made it to his stall and did not want to eat his grain or hay.  His breathing was elevated and he went down 3 times.  I just couldn't mess around anymore and called GVEC.  The Vet was here in 20 minutes.

She checked everything.  Normal temperature, elevated breathing and heart rate, walked pretty well, did a rectal....normal manure....could not feel blockage.  Gave him banamine.  I had taken off his blanket so he could get up and down easier and put on this nice cotton number. Was it colic or a gas bubble? He did not go down anymore and wanted to eat. I removed his grain and hay and he ate some nice warm, wet bran mash.  My friend Andrea arrived as she wanted to be here for support in case things did not go well.  Now it is 9pm and he is eating small batches of hay.  I will need to keep checking on him to make sure he is ok. It will be a long night.

After the vet left, Jenny stopped up to check in.

Little Wonder joined us in the barn and is now ready to take a nap.

Night all.

Buddy Front Right Rebel Front Left

I guess I am losing my mind, worrying about my horse.  He is consuming my brain.  Fortunately the weather was not too bad compared to a week ago.  A high of 36 degrees.

It was nice to have sunshine part of the day.

Jenny and I went to a meeting at the Library this morning and then she came up to help me get Rebel rewrapped.

Ironically he removed his own boot by stepping on it so I could give him a quick soak in warm water before rewrapping.

Jenny gave both boys a quick brush while that was going on.

It did not take me nearly as long to do the poultice thing today and they were turned back out.

I still think it is an abscess in Rebel's heel.  He can walk on it, but when he is standing he puts his foot forward and lifts his heel.  Still slow and gimpy.....poor sweet boy.

Gave them a little more hay and took the afternoon off....had a long conversation with my most knowledgeable horse pal.

Tonight it took awhile for Rebel to be motivated enough to come in to eat.  

Buddy went in first and usually it is the opposite.

I sure hope this saga does not go on very long.

Got them tucked in and Little Wonder was happy to be out there naked tonight.

So far not too much snow has melted....

but with a little shoveling, the main part of the "airstrip" is looking good.

Earlier I made some bbqued pork in a crockpot, so dinner was easy.  Made some coleslaw and that was that.

Night all.

PS

My Mom was born on this day in 1920.  It was also the birthday of my Nanna (her mother).

Two strong women who are missed by many.  They both had such an influence on me.