This 'n That

[SandyG]

It is surprisingly quiet here at THE FARM the morning . . . the harvesting south of us has halted, the birds are still quiet, the sun is beginning to thaw the heavy frost, and the horses are starting to venture out beyond the hay bales. The barn cats are coming out of their box-beds and Mom is coming down the driveway with breakfast in the buckets. Dinner with "family" last evening and help with a task that was just too big for one human. Today will be time in the kitchen to cut up the carrots, apples, break up the raisins and chop the nuts for the Thanksgiving feast in the barn. Somewhere in here, we will listen to the traditional parade and, for a moment, I will be a little girl on the floor of the living room watching the big balloons on our black & white console TV with Dad in the couch right behind me. Oh, the joy! There is nothing more that I could wish on my platter of life than what has already been blessed upon me.

Throughout the year, I tell people I am the richest woman they know. Then they arrive and they see a weak house, an unkept lawn, fence that needs repairs, and fat, calm horses. I'm hoping they see the peace as I do - it isn't in the "things". The riches come from them - supplying a home for them where they are safe and fed and loved and their wounds are healed.

And so, through my tears of gratefulness, I wish each of you the love of those you love. The peace of being what you were born to be! And the joy of having a Mission that is salve to your soul. May this day remind us to be thankful for all of life's blessings and tolerant of the pieces that, at this time, just don't seem to fit.

Amen.

[SandyG]

"I believe many of us will sleep tonight, the least, of which, will be Jeri-Ann."

Jeri-Ann is a 3,200 pound Belgian blonde mare, the daughter of Lanna, a 2,800 blind Belgian red roan mare. Jeri-Ann is the only horse ever born at THE FARM and she knows nothing of starvation, neglect, pain, or being forced to do anything she does not want to do. Spoiled, to the max! And truly, her personality is that of a big puppy. Just try working on fence with a baseball cap on your head. Or tools in your hind pocket. Or a bucket of supplies next to you. Surely, surely, those are toys for our game of tag, eh??

We just trimmed and reset her shoes on Monday, the 20th, and we all were pleased with the improvement in her feet and the solid, clean growth of the new hoof appearing up at the hairline. By Saturday, I was on the telephone to the farrier asking his input into what could possibly be happening to our big mare.

Jeri-Ann is one of those big drafts that does not display that she is in trouble. They are stoic and you only know there is an issue by the presence of sweat and an increased heartbeat. Sometimes they will increase their resps but usually it is only the heartbeat that tells you something is wrong. They tell you nothing about the pain, the pressure, or the weakness.

By Sunday, she was down most of the day and asking her to get up was a huge effort for her. Once up, she appeared to have overall soreness and if I could get her to move, her right front seemed to be the issue. Some of the time. Sometines it wasn't the right front but the front. I was frightened to the max.

The farrier and I talked every day and I conveyed that I could find no heat in any of her feet and there were no hot nails - at least a small hammer tap on every nail created no response from her. But then again, she is stoic. However, she was wet from sweat every morning so I knew she was in trouble.

Early Thursday morning, the farrier changed his appointments and headed out covering the three (3) hour ride to get to Jeri-Ann. She was resting in the sunshine and he, too, could not find a heavy pulse in any feet, any heat pockets, or any swelling. And getting her up was difficult. And it took the both of us flapping arms and pushing to get this big beautiful girl into the shoeing bed. We put a call in to Dr. Rande thinking it was going to be something systemic and thought we should get her on-site.

The removal of the right front shoe yielded no response from her - and not even when straightening the nails prior to pulling. We all just shook our heads at her. The only response I saw was an increase in the sweating so I assumed it hurt her but she did not bob her head, groan, or pull away. She just stood there.

While I was cleaning the shoe and smelling everything that was trimmed off the sole, the farrier began to trim as much as he could off the sole so we could press and try to find a sore spot. We prayed we would find a sore spot!

One small swipe on the inner front corner of the hoof and we heard the pop bottle fizz sound and the dirty blood started to seep out. One more swipe and the abscess was open and draining profusely. I knew she was in pain but I was in tears - it was an abscess! It wasn't PSSM, Lymes, or a host of other big issues. It was an abscess. We hugged and hugged again. Smiled and rejoiced. And then we treated the mare.

These past three (3) hours, Jeri-Ann has been standing in the hay and resting. She is sore, for sure, but it is a new kind of pain and the pressure is relieved. Her sweating is down considerably and her heart rate is just a bit elevated - nothing to record, actually. So for the first time since Saturday, I am not worrying about what is taking our big baby and how do I treat her if I do not know what to treat!

The farrier just called and I relayed her status. His response: "Sandy, I'm glad I took the day to come up and see her. She is a good mare - the biggest one that I trim and she needed our help. I believe many of us will sleep tonight, the least, of which, is Jeri-Ann."

I love the big ones. They are so enormous and strong and yet so very gentle and soft and compliant. But stoic. And, at times, you watch them and wonder if you are seeing "normal" or "trouble". And you try not to panic. But when you see "trouble" for sure, the panic cannot be avoided since they communicate no clues.

We have a great farrier. We have a talented and understanding veterinarian. And we have the FAITH and HOPE buckets hanging in the barn. And tonight we have Jeri-Ann healing in the pasture. What more could one ask for?

Amen.

[SandyG]

Sleep came easily last night.

I had checked about every 90 minutes and each time she was standing facing the SE with her head relaxed and just resting. Throughout the remainder of the day and well into the darkness, she never once laid down. And that was proof to me.

And this morning? The first rays of daylight caught me peering out of the barn door and looking for that large blonde body. And there she was! Standing next to the hay bale. Sleeping. And her body was not sweaty. There was a lack of tenseness in her shoulders. And she looked generally very good.

Hugs aplenty and then she pulled her head away just a bit as if to say, "Mom . . . . I was sleeping!!"

[SandyG]

The frigid air is coming and with a drastic, severe drop in temps forced upon us with winds over 50 mph. YIKES! Today was spent getting set and, I believe, after a full day of effort, we are as ready as we can be up on this hill:

* Fresh big 750 pound hay squares were moved into the Helen Keller barn and the corral shelter and also added to the Gelding's Side barn so everyone has access to ample hay
* All stock tanks are cleaned and refilled with heaters active
* Winter blankets were moved to the big barn, sorted and piled by size, and the clean leg straps are paired and hanging by length - blankets will be placed while the are hooked and fed when the temps start their fall
* Feed tanks are filled
* Barn cat heated water bowls are cleaned and filled and their hut houses have clean wool strips for nesting
* Twelve bags of pellets are stacked in the kitchen
* The wood box is full with another load of wood in the workshop waiting
* Fresh shavings piled on the floor, a stock tank with a square of beautiful hay is prepared, feed and water buckets are clean and upside down, and the radio is on. The furnace was tested today and will be turned on no later than 3pm tomorrow to warm up the space for Auntie Trish's little Gracie - lucky girl!
* The skid loader and the Kawasaki Mule are filled with fuel, as is the F350
* And most importantly, my sleeping companion, Lucy, the Shop Cat, is in a big warm house in Eau Claire, being boarded by Auntie Pat until the temps moderate again. She and I were sleeping in an unheated bedroom upstairs and it was chilly but the forecast had me frightened on how we would fight the deep cold. Auntie Pat graciously opened her house and her heart to Lucy and I can imagine Luce right now - stretched out in her wicker basket all warm and so relieved. Thank you, Pat! Thank you so very, very much! From both of us!
* Because of Auntie Pat absorbing Lucy for the cold winter months, I am relocated back into the heated bedroom with the remainder of the house cats. AAAAhhhhhhhhhh............

Please be careful this week. Top off your fuel tanks. Dress for the arctic. And stop to help those who are stalled, provide a ride for someone who's vehicle has failed, or run an errand for an elderly person who doesn't do well in the cold. Please.

May we all be safe, warm, and not forgetting those not so fortunate as we are. Amen.

[SandyG]

Today was a day of great conversation, some very talented and touchy skid loader work with some very large bales of hay very high off the ground, and a ton and then another ton of barn "stuff" getting pushed out of the barn and fresh hay being set out for the horses. They are so content! If these horses purred, the ground would be vibrating with their noises!

Gracie went back outside this afternoon. Immediately, she nosed herself right into the middle of the clan, getting her share of the big square bale. She might be a little squirt but oh! she is mighty!

Brian R. was here to help today and he commented on how round and good all of the horses look AND he said Josephina is looking better than she has ever looked since he first met her! That, folks, is one smart mare and, as I was explaining to Linda J. today, I think she rested her legs last night! Her rear elbows are dirty and the only way I know that she can accomplish that is to get partially up and then pull her chest up. While she is sitting gearing up to pull herself up, her rear legs would have been on the ground and, hence, the dirty elbows. My pride in her is bigger than me!

As a result of today's work in the barn, Zach now has his own stall so he will begin a daily feed program to insure he is growing strong and healthy. Since he is just a baby, we need to make sure he gets all of his vitamins and supplements to insure good hooves, sharp eyes, and strong teeth. And today, Brian also commented on how calm The Big Herd is - including Billy. In fact, Brian commented that Billy is an entirely different horse than he was a year ago - calm, content, and a member of a community. So in honor of Billy's adaptation and learning, we are dropping "the Bully" from his name. He is no longer "Billy the Bully". Nope! We'll stay with the Billy since recognizes his name but now we will call him "Billy Bob". Congratulations, you handsome horse! Glad to have you with us. And yes, we are all very pleased and proud of you!

So a good day - no sunshine but we took extra good care of The Herd today. They are beginning this week in a spotless barn and drinking from spotless water tanks and eating delicious bales of hay. Now how spoiled can they be! And every one of them - every single one of them! - deserves all the spoiling they can absorb.

G'nite!
Sandy and The Herd

[SandyG]

Feeding a bit early and checking the trailer . . . excited for this morning. Not only a milestone for Refuge Farms but a great horse going to a great home. Pete is a remarkable creature and the calm, loving setting he is going to will bring happiness to Pete and restored energy and health to one of his owners. Pete has a big job to do - and a loving barn to be living in while he does it. How appropriate that horse # 1,400 be a horse with a Mission of Healing.

Off we go! I'll try to remember to take pictures!!!!

Sandy and Andy, riding shotgun

[SandyG]

Pete, #1400, was the gentleman of all gentlemen today. He loaded with little hesitation, rode like a champ, and then simply sauntered out to his paddock where he will get to know the noses of Nina, Herman, and Cupcake. His totally laid back attitude was a source of amazement to me. But don't take that easy attitude as a lack of attention! Pete knew where every horse was around him, where his hay was, where each of the humans were, and soon began to nibble on the hay while his eyes were steadily following the other equines. So smart. So cool. And totally in control of himself.

I am impressed and happy with this placement. His new owners were ready for him and willing to listen to suggestions. His old owner had all of the paperwork ready and was very organized. I had quickly grabbed a light blanket to cover his withers in the drafty trailer and his entire butt was hanging out the back! I'm guessing he's an 84" boy - he is not tiny or delicate!

And he will soon come to know a Belgian/Pony cross who is not too tall but is thicker than Pete! Hence, I guess, the name "Cupcake". She's a cupcake, alright, if you are the Jolly Green Giant! However, in the time I was there, she had seen enough of the new guy and was rolling in the snow and getting ready to take a snooze. So guess who will pair up with Pete . . . . ? Guess who is just as laid back as he is . . . ?

Today was a good day. We followed our Missions and re-homed a horse needing a new loving, forever home and found just the home for that horse. The day went without a hitch and all were safe and not one of us had a scratch on us. And by now, I'm thinking, Pete is taking a snooze . . .

Thanks for listening, everyone. A milestone today was reached by a person challenged to rescue 20 horses a year . . . and I laughed out loud at that challenge! That was more than a horse every month!! "No way", I said. "I cannot do that! Too much. No way!!"

I'm doing the best I can, Andy. Hoping you are pleased. I am, however, missing your guidance and unbending support. Do you remember that cheap blue plastic feed bucket you decorated with the word "FAITH" in block letters made out of electrical tape? Well, that very FAITH bucket still hangs from the center of the barn. I look up at it every time I enter the barn. Think of you. Remember the promises hanging on the wall. And yes, we all still eat from that one . . . . . .

[SandyG]

THE MINI-MULES ARE AVAILABLE!!

The person who spoke for them has not been heard from since last Thursday and so we must assume that the interest in the mini-mules has passed. So -

TWO MINI-MULES
FULL BROTHERS
TRAINED TO LEAD
SOCIALIZED with HORSES and COWS
"FAT and GOOD FEET", per the kill buyer
GELDED
UNKNOWN AGE
Kill buyer is asking $100 each
WE WANT THEM TO STAY TOGETHER

Is anyone interested in these two little guys? The kill buyer had pulled them from the lot and "saved them" for the first prospect but now they will go back in circulation. And remember, we want to keep them together.

Refuge Farms will transport, if that helps. Please consider these two as we have lost valuable time!

Thank you!!!
Sandy and The Herd

email: [e-mail]
post to this bulletin board page

[SandyG]

I need your help to save Clyde Mare's life.

This extended deep cold is having a very severe and dangerous impact on Clyde Mare's hind leg. I am at the point of getting her into a heated stall for the nights or ending her life.

Contact has been made with Stillwater Vet in an attempt to rent one of their heated stalls with me traveling to Stillwater each day to treat her leg, feed her, and clean her stall. Assuming Stillwater Vet does not have the facilities available for us, we have only one other option - we need to empty the workshop and move her up as soon as the space is available. Clyde Mare is strong and can survive another 2 or 3 nights.

The workshop was prepared for little Gracie and is working just fine to save her life and has done just that - saved Gracie's life. In order to use the workshop to save Clyde Mare's life, there are boxes to be removed from the workshop and placed in some sort of an open space.

I need your help in emptying the workshop and storing in a space that one of you has for these boxes. The space needed is no more than a 10' x 10' space - the load that needs to be removed is no larger than the back half of the Exiss trailer (8' x 13'). The time to load and then unload would be about 2 hours with a minimum team of 4 to 6 people.

Here at The Farm, I could clean her leg every evening and then wrap it in towels and vet wrap during the day to turn her out for exercise when the temps allow. With the warm stall each night, the leg could be massaged and cleaned and we should be able to hold the leg at least - not have the condition continue to spread.

Please consider if you would be able to help empty the workshop this coming Saturday.

Please consider if you have space available to store the boxes - unheated/heated/garage/shed space is fine.

You need to know that if Stillwater does not materialize and the workshop cannot be readied, Dr. Rande will be called to euthanize Clyde Mare this week. That is a total waste to me - Clyde Mare is involved, eating well, and doing her best to move. SHE does not want to die.

I need your help to save Clyde Mare's life. Please email ([e-mail]) with your decision regarding space and participation.

In desperation,
Clyde Mare and Sandy

Why can't she go to the new hospital? I am curious -- I am sure others are as well -- especially those that helped work on it to help the horses in this very situation. Good question that I need to answer: The hospital building is still in need of exterior and interior doors mounted, electrical service, and a heap of insulation work completed. We made EXCELLENT progress in the two September/October work days but there are still requirements on the task list yet to be completed before the building will be able to be heated. You are correct - this is EXACTLY why the hospital building is so desperately needed here at THE FARM!

[SandyG]

Much to update on our efforts in support of Clyde Mare:

First of all, I am absolutely overwhelmed with the replies, offers, and support in this effort to save Clyde Mare's life! From offers to help load/unload boxes to offers for storage space or even renting a storage unit for storage!!! In total desperation and with huge tears flowing, I wrote our need this morning and just 12 hours later, I sit here with the skeleton of a plan in place! Thank you. Very much! I cannot yet find the words but I feel the arms bracing us up and supporting us!

Clyde Mare is tucked in a corner at Stillwater Equine in a heated stall!!! THANK YOU!!! And in our intial viewing today, the equine specialist very quickly said, "This isn't lymphenghitis." Very matter-of-factly and very soon first seeing Clyde Mare. Pictures were taken and a dermatoligist specialist was contacted with an appointment made for her to come to the clinic tomorrow and view her legs. We are now thinking that we will surgically remove a sampling of the tissue and send it in for anlysis. A proper diagnosis is critical to proper treatment. This equine specialist at Stillwater Vet has prior experience with lymphenghitis and is the first vet we have had involved with Clyde Mare that has that experience. So, we are ahead already just adding this skilled vet to our efforts on this case!

We spent 20 minutes or so warm rinsing her legs. As we rinsed with warm water her head began to rise, her ears started rotating, her eyes started to follow us, and the headstrong mare that I know and love so dearly reappeared! She moved more easily and turned in circles which I could not achieve with her this morning. The theory - on my part - is that the prolonged frigid air was actually beginning to freeze this damaged tissue.

Clyde Mare refused her nightly dose of bute and chose, instead, to go between her hay pile and the hallway to talk with the other horses in the barn. And my face hurt from watching her move and become the nosey character that she has been with us! That leg was being lifted again, was bearing weight again, and she could turn and pivot on the leg again. Prayers answered.

We have a commitment for a 2 week stay in that Stillwater stall and so we cannot drag our feet in readying the workshop for her return. Clyde Mare will spend all nights in the workshop from her arrival home until spring arrives and I am beyond grateful for Jeff, Nick and Corey that prepared that workshop for Liz-Beth!

Space for storing the boxes and bodies to move the boxes have magically appeared!! We tentatively have space just a few miles from The Farm for storage and right now, we have six people willing to volunteer their backs and hands. Again, I am in awe and overwhelmed with appreciation and hope!

I will continue to post on our progress and will add a few pictures once her legs are cleaner and, hopefully, a bit smaller. However, a mere 12 hours and a single face book posting and my desperation has been replaced by hope and plans to bring our Beautiful Girl home! Thank you. Blessings to each of you for responding in ANY format! As the Equine Specialist said to me today, "You're going to need help to save this life, Sandy". With my reply being, "I'm asking and praying so let's move forward assuming the help is there". And there it most certainly is!!!

Good night. Thank you. And please keep the good thoughts and prayers going upward for this mare. It is serious. Very serious, I was told today. But I have faith we can restore her to a great quality of life and she will thrive on green grasses in the spring!! Amen.

[SandyG]

Here is the information for Saturday's effort to empty the workshop for Clyde Mare. I will PM the individuals that replied to the plea to insure you know where we are, have my cell, etc. Thanks - don't know how else to show appreciation but to say thanks. Be prepared for hugs on Saturday.

We have the 8' x 13' back of the Exiss and the interior of my truck to carry the load but we will need the interior of another 2 vehicles for the fragile pieces in the cold weather.

The storage destination is 4 miles from THE FARM. So my intention is to load, take a pit stop at THE FARM and warm up, etc., and then car pool to head 4 miles west to unload.

This is my thought:

We will meet at THE FARM at 12noon this Saturday and begin the process of moving "stuff" using a human chain.

While this effort is going on, Mandy will take another team to move boxes in the west garage to make room for the front counter and a glass display case that are in the workshop.

When the workshop is emptied, we then move those display cases from the workshop to the west garage and the workshop should be empty and ready to become a full-time stall.

If we car pool and leave THE FARM by 2pm, we should be fully emptied by 3pm and people then are ready to return to THE FARM and pick up their vehicles to head out.

After thinking it over a bit more, I'm hopeful that a couple of people will be willing to stay behind - or return to THE FARM - to erect 3 or 4 gate panels in the workshop. There are cupboards and shelves in that space and we need to remember Clyde Mare is big and can see - the opposite of Gracie. So I feel we need to protect her from things she could get hurt on or cause trauma. Nick - if you are willing to head up this part of the effort, that would be great!

In this way, we are working in the warmest part of the day. It is going to be above zero and sunny, which is a blessing this winter! I would suggest you dress in layers so you can remove a layer as you generate body heat. And then when it is time to ride, you can add that layer back to prevent getting chilled.

Of course, you are more than welcome to head down to the barn upon our return and check in with Clyde Mare's herd mates. They are bundled up so hard to see shapes and sizes, but those noses are still working and they are happy to receive guests!

Thank you to each of you. I was hoping Clyde Mare would stabilize for the winter but no such luck. And she is just too special to not treat her during these winter months! To not treat her means death to her and I'm not ready to give up on her!!! And when you meet her, you will see she certainly is NOT thinking of giving up on herself!!!

Many thanks to each of you - See you Saturday!!!

Clyde Mare and Sandy

[SandyG]

As Dr. Terry told me on Tuesday, it will take a village to heal Clyde Mare from this cold weather's effect on her legs. But yesterday, he sat with me, asked questions, listened, and then agreed to support us in caring for her to get her to "Grassy Greens" so we can then begin regular treatments for containment of the condition.

Dr. Terry's fellow colleagues at Duke University have replied and assisted Dr. Terry in his understanding of the condition and the treatment. For that, we are indebted to Duke University and their willingness to share their knowledge gained in years of studying lymphenghitis. The overall consensus is that the condition will shorten the life span of the horse but that containment can be attained, although Clyde Mare is a serious case due to the cold.

Prayers are needed. The girl is tired and weary but eating everything in sight! I begin my visits to her in Stillwater today to clean and clip and wrap. That will be the daily routine. Gently clean the area. Clip any hairs for easier access. And compression wrap the legs. Plus, a ton of treats and loving for the patient.

How can anyone help? Of course, if you are willing to clean and clip and wrap - or only clean and wrap - you are more than welcome to come and learn and help out as often or as little as you are able.

The big help needed, however, is support in keeping her heated stall - the workshop - clean. Clyde Mare is a big girl. Hence, big poops and tons of water. With the condition, comes a need to drink excess water since so much of her water is lost out her legs. Thus, daily maintenance is a must and, at a minimum, weekly deep cleanings MUST be done.

So, families, FFA clubs, youth groups, 4-H clubs, Boy or Girl Scouts, Poniless Clubs, Community Service, a couple of friends, or any group or individual willing to help in the maintenance of Clyde Mare's home will be welcome with open arms! No specific day of the week, just the support in keeping her area as clean as possible.

Clyde Mare lays down to rest her legs and we need to keep her warm, of course, but also clean when doing so. Refuge Farms has the tools and the supplies - or we will get them. It isn't a huge space . . . maybe 15' x 15' at max. Cemented floor with rubber mats. And we have a skid loader to remove the debris.

Contact information is a posting on this bulletin board, email at [e-mail], and cell at 715.505.5626. Please know I turn the cell off when with the horses - safer for them and, selfishly, better for me.

At the close of our meeting yesterday, Dr. Terry reminded me that "this is a ton of work that you are taking on and most people would just euthanize the horse. But, Sandy, I know you and your Mission and that's why this horse landed out there with you."

With that statement, the big, talented man received the hug that he knew was coming and a commitment to do our best. To do our best to get Clyde Mare to a state of comfort and joy and then continue to work with her until, at some point, the condition is not allowing her a good quality of life.

And so now, we begin the difficult journey for her life's sake.

I then went into the hospital area and met with Clyde Mare. Hugged her, kissed her, prayed with her. And then took that big, beautiful head in my hands and once again, I gave her Laddee's Promise in a big, strong, determined, and bold voice:

You will be healthier here. Always considering the quality of your life, we will work diligently to restore your health. We will care for you. We will support you. We will love you. And we will medically treat you. It may not be possible to bring you all the way back to healthy, but we will work very hard to help your body and your spirit rebuild as much and for as long as you are able. You will be healthier here.
Laddee’s Promise August 2011

[SandyG]

This morning, I had grand plans to clean and dress Clyde Mare today, spend tomorrow stacking hay, preparing the floor of the workshop, hanging water buckets, and doing all the little things to prepare for Clyde Mare's trip home on Wednesday.

Arriving at the clinic about 1pm, I went into the hospital to tell them I was there and would be bringing Clyde Mare into the central hospital for her routine and then headed across the driveway for the Beautiful Girl.

She was down in her stall and not in a hurry to get up. Her breakfast sat untouched and with that alone, I knew we were in trouble.

Fast forward an hour and we were dripping two (2) bags of saline into her newly inserted catheter and discussing the situation. Her symptoms were overall weakness, a vibrating right front leg, cross-over front feet whenever asked to walk, a temp of 104, heartbeat of 68, and resps were fast with obvious panting. Her blood draw showed a slightly low protein level (dehydration) and slightly elevated white blood count (leg condition). What the heck was happening???

Yesterday when I went in to her stall, she followed me around like a puppy - twisting, turning, and pushing on me as she looked to me for treats. Today, she had no interest in ANY food and she only moved if she had to and then with care and obvious effort. Her legs were still wrapped from yesterday and so we unwrapped her legs.

Her left rear was noticeably smaller and looked very good - pink, smaller in size, and "almost normal", as Dr. Terry observed. Her right rear, however, was also noticeably smaller but looked very grey. I felt it and it was cool to the touch. The conclusion: The leg had been wrapped too tightly when I cleaned and wrapped her on Sunday and had created overall circulatory issues.

That explanation seemed a bit weak to me but then I thought about when I Ace wrap one of my own legs too tightly. The leg aches, I get weak, I do not want to put any pressure on the leg, and I sure can't spin, do steps, or anything other than try to walk. So could it be???

The circulatory issue doesn't account for the temp and the blood work. But Dr. Terry didn't seem too worried about that read out of the CBC considering what her legs had been through in the past two weeks. But just to be safe, we added an overall antibiotic to the second drip bag.

So, the well laid plans are on hold. We need to get her stable, lower the heart beat, the temp back to normal, and her appetite back. THEN we can wait for three consecutive good days and once again create a plan for coming home. Thank God she was in the hospital when "it" happened today!!!

Before I left for the day, I ran to a local feed store and bought a bag of treats and a 50 lb salt block. Sure enough, she was very happy to see the salt and ate one handful of treats before she went back to licking salt. This is normal behavior for Clyde Mare and so I was happy to see her attack the block. The food, however, still sat untouched.

Many kisses, hugs, and promises to take care of her later, I left for the night. The night shift is calling at 2am when they do their final rounds to give me a status on temp, heartbeat, and food intake. Until then, I'm going to keep busy hoping my energy gets to her to fight whatever hit her like a ton of bricks today.

[SandyG]

I have been quiet lately about our Clyde Mare. My apologies if my sheltering you from the worry is offending to you but I felt it was just a matter of time before Clyde Mare would recover. If, by Monday, she had not recovered she would have been swiftly delivered back to the hosptial for further treatment.

Upon her arrival home on Wednesday, Clyde Mare displayed a severe and continuing case of diarrhea. In fact, I spent Wedneday night with her timing her episodes like timing labor pains before a baby's birth. About every 7 minutes, her big gut would growl very loudly and 3 cups or so of dirty water would fly out of her. With that routine, her body would dehydrate and she would weaken rapidly.

The local pharmacy was emptied of all of any kind of "pink stuff" and we began dosing the big girl to her total dismay! I will admit pink was in my hair, down my shirt, in my mouth, and even on Gracie! But a majority of the meds went down her throat and then we just needed to wait.

Her (and Gracie's) diet was moved to totally grassy hay with plenty of clean water. No treats and no sweet feed. UGH! And with that, no Cool 100 to help add fat to her diet. Neither horse was happy at all with this diet! Clyde Mare reached over the corral panels and pushed everything she could reach to the floor! Gracie just became noisy and pushy . . . or as pushy as little Gracie can be. Clyde Mare, on the other hand, became rather rude with her disgust of me and my inability to please her.

The gut sounds began to diminish on Friday morning and the water began to become a bit thick. Great signs! But we had a long way to go. I added hay pellets to their diet and presented them to the two horses as if they were sweet feed. So, 3 times per day, they each received buckets of hay pellets which would need hydration from their own body fluids and also keep the blandness of the diet intact.

Last night, for the first time, there was actually periods of sleep. They munched on hay, drank water, and tolerated this little human that seemed to constantly be in their new stall touching, cleaning, combing, and hugging. Geez!

This morning, the joy arrived! In the midst of cleaning water buckets and refilling with clean water, I stepped in something. Looking down I saw it was manure. Very wet and squishy manure, but it was manure! And the size of the manure was surely way too large to be anything out of little Gracie. Clyde Mare was making excellent progress!!

So tomorrow we will bundle up and head out to the pasture for play time. I will hook and feed a bit early so that Clyde Mare and Gracie will eat with the rest of The Herd. That will make Josephina very happy. And then it will be back up to the heated workshop for cleaning and redressing of the legs. And a light snack of hay pellets with a 50% feed portion. Then, it will be time to brush and hug and watch for formed manure. Hopefully!

Clyde Mare is a strong mare wtih an even stronger will to live! She is determined to be a horse and will love the time in the pasture and be a bit resistive to returning to the workshop, I expect. But she will get over it when she gets a taste of her feed!

In time, we will have a "nice day routine" and it will be normal to walk back up to the house with the lowering sun. And then we will brush and clean and redress and the little human will deliver feed that will make everything just fine. In time, we will have fun together as the big horse and the little human learn the routine and adapt.

Thank you for your emails and your inquiries into Clyde Mare's condition. She is adapting and doing her very best. Her very best! We are all learning the new routine that will be her life style and, given just a bit of time, we will enjoy our time together. And this big mare will come to accept the hugs and the kisses from that little human that just won't stop pestering her!

[SandyG]

Even in the sideways snow, the sharp NW winds, the drifting, and the frigid air, members of The Village appeared at THE FARM right about 12noon. And we worked to prepare for the coming snow and arctic air and so now The Herd is set and ready.

We moved hay into the Helen Keller barn side so they can get out of the snow and winds and still stay warm and keep those tummies full. And with their help, no one escaped into the yard while the skid loader passed through the gate. That, my friends, is a good thing!

We hooked and fed The Gelding's Side and then closed the door to stop the snow from blowing in on them. They have clean water, plenty of hay, and Ella with New Man are in the end stall so that crew is ready for the night and will be protected and warm.

The buggy got rolled back into the Exiss so moving it prior to moving hay is no longer a step we need to take. I'm optimistic that there will be no more trips to the doctor for Clyde Mare and so we are safe to put the buggy in the trailer and let it sit.

And then a few trips from the woodpile and wood for the woodstove is in the house thawing out and ready to keep this house warm. What a gift that wood is! This house has never been this comfortable in the winter! Usually, there are jackets and shoes and long underwear on in the house but not this year!!! Thank you, Tom and Rachel!

So, the horses are all set and the caretaker is also prepared for tonight's storm and the frigid air to follow. My heart, of course, goes out to all of the creatures with no one caring for them, feeding them, or offering them shelter from the storm. May their journey to the other side be swift and without pain. Amen.