Helen & Hollie

[SandyG]

Given all that happened to Hollie this weekend, I felt sorry for her when I haltered her and took she and Helen to the trailer this morning. She felt the ramp and took a deep sigh. Oh, no . . . this woman is asking more of me already!

Helen went right into the trailer but Hollie - well that took us a little over two hours. She is so horribly frightened of closed in places, which is understandable. But she finally gave in and leaped into the trailer! Good thing we had the big trailer or Helen and I would have been squished! Helen began to dance and so I unhooked the two of them, put their feed in front of the, closed the doors, and off we went!

Once at the U of M, Helen weighed 1150 and Hollie weighed in at 1205. That's good. The staff had the big double stall all ready for them and Helen seemed a bit wary but Hollie just dug into the hay! Nothing was bothering her if she could heat their hay! That horse is one sturdy girl, I tell ya!

We discussed what we knew of them and then laid out a plan. Both of the horses are being sedated this afternoon and Dr. Anne and Dr. Draper will look at eyes, etc. Then they will call with their recommendations. It seems that Helen's both eyes are great candidates for removal. Hollies? We'll see what they say about them.

While in the hospital, Dr. Anne will also address Hollie's old injury on her right rear leg and now her new injury from the wire last Saturday night. And she will check her teeth for points and breaks and also give us a good age on her. And, she'll check for a baby, too.

I'm heading in tomorrow to see them both and try brushing them. Hoping I can get a brush lower onto Hollie's tummy tomorrow. Maybe with the meds in her, she will discover the good feeling that brushing can give her.

Tonight they will both sleep and I will sleep soundly. Nobody going through a fence tonight at Refuge Farms.

[SandyG]

As promised, Dr. Anne called me this afternoon after their initial exam. She is dressing and treating the wounds on Hollie's front legs but hasn't yet worked on the rear leg. She thinks it is wise to wait until Hollie is more heavily sedated to treat that leg.

Helen's both eyes are in poor condition and Dr. Anne advised that they both be removed. Helen's left eye is in poor condition but the right eye is not in that bad of condition. We know Hollie is 100% blind and so it was a decision of being precautious and removing the right eye or waiting until/if it became tender and then removing the eye. For several reasons, I opted to remove both of Hollie's eyes, just like Helen.

The first procedure will be tomorrow (Tuesday) with the second procedure being on Thursday. I have all the confidence in the world in her and her team of veterinarians and so will travel in to see the ladies either tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning. I'll post and let you know how well they are doing. I expect they will be spoiled, as everyone is at that place!!!

[SandyG]

They are probably starting to wrap up the first of their surgeries about now . . . I'm eager to hear from Dr. Anne. I'll head in this afternoon and spend time with them. For my sake, not theirs. I'm always eager to see them standing and sleeping or eating after surgery. Let's me sleep that night.

Helen will feel better already. Those eyes of hers were painful, that was obvious. Hollie, on the other hand, may like the peaceful feeling she'll have from the meds. I sure hope so!

[SandyG]

Great news!!!

Both girls are doing so well that they are finished with the first eye on each horse and they are scrubbing to do the second eye on both horses in the same procedure!

This is fantastic! Less stress and less meds on both girls!! Oh, this is as good as it gets!!

[SandyG]

I'm just in the house, returning from a nice evening with "The Ladies", as they are now called. Dr. Anne and I had a great discussion and I learned quite a bit, again, from that very talented woman.

Helen, believe it not, is the gittery one. Hollie, believe it or not, is the calm one. Go figure!

They both responded well and did very well during the procedure. Dr. Anne showed me the set up they have so both horses were standing in stocks, side-by-side, for the entire time. She said the only times Hollie gave signs of fear were when they first touched her face and when they did the close-up exam of her legs.

And it is good they did those exams! She has two very deep cuts on her front legs (one on each leg) that are slightly infected. So, her legs are wrapped and the antibiotics for her eyes will work to remove the infection, we hope. We'll watch her legs before we jump to any further actions.

She has a pocket of fluid on her right buttock that is a bruise pocket, as they call it. As long as it doesn't get any bigger, she's okay. Not a smooth butt, but who cares?

Her other cuts are healing well. The big hole on her right rear foot is cleaned and "trimmed" and Dr. Anne felt it should heal over okay. Will leave a scar, but again, who cares?

Both are eating and drinking. Helen urinated while I was there. Hollie was trying to sleep but Helen kept nudging and disturbing her. Hollie showed me she is a very patient girl. Helen showed me she is a bit impatient.

And then while we were talking, a new Mama alpaca walked (very gingerly! ouch! I've never seen an alpaca tip-toe before!) by us with a tech carrying the new baby born this afternoon. Boy, that baby looked big for the size of the Mama, that's for sure! Dr. Anne did an emergency cesarean delivery this afternoon. She said Mama was screaming like mad when she arrived. Poor little Mama. Poor little Mama. Thank heavens for Dr. Anne.

And "The Ladies" presented Dr. Anne a purple coneflower as a gift of thanks today. I told Dr. Anne to think of "The Ladies" each time the plant bloomed. She will.

[SandyG]

I will head in to see The Ladies (or The Twins?) tomorrow afternoon. The phone message from Dr. Rolf said both horses were doing well and he was pleased with the decrease in swelling of Hollie's front legs.

They did sedate Hollie today to do teeth work. He said there were no severe points and that we would discuss age tomorrow when I see him. So, maybe she's really young? Or perhaps she's one of those women that doesn't show her age? We'll know tomorrow.

I'm eager to see them. Also, I want to schedule their bandage change when I will be there next time so I can see the wounds and have something to compare to. How happy they will be to be without flies in those eyes of theirs!!!

The place is so quiet without them. Funny, how quickly they become a staple in these barns.

[SandyG]

What pleasant evening it was at the U of M Equine Center!

I found two little mares standing quietly while other horses paraded by, alpaca's made peculiar sounds, and people were talking all around them. Quietly, they stood and became more and more comfortable with noises around them. This is a great process for both of these mares.

And then, happily, around the corner came Carolyn S.! Her time with Hollie was a treat to behold. Carolyn rubbed and rubbed and Hollie actually turned several times to gently nudge Carolyn. There was no trembling, no shaking, and no running away. What a wonderful positive change in Hollie!!

I spent time with Helen who has begun to bite when she is administered her antibiotics IM. Interesting. But after 15 minutes of touching and talking quietly to her, Helen was again peaceful and the quiet little mare we have come to know. She just doesn't really like being in a stall, I think. But even so, her "tough side" is really pretty mild in comparison to others we have known.

We'll talk tomorrow about antibiotics, Hollie's legs, Hollie teeth floating, and then make the decision of when to bring The Ladies home to THE FARM. I'll keep you posted. It will be good to have them back on these grounds.

[SandyG]

Before I fall into bed tonight, I must tell you one story -

Sandy M. from Palmyra, WI was here today. She is Miss April's sponsor for her special laminitis meds and stopped on her way home today. We walked to the barns and talked of horses, she viewed Shortey and we stood in the pasture with Helen and Hollie.

Then Hollie smacked her lips like she was thirsty. And so I went into the barn and retrieved her halter and lead rope. Might as well try to see if she will come in to the water and if not, I'll bring a bucket to her.

Quietly, I walked up to Hollie and haltered her. Quietly, I declared to Sandy that I couldn't believe the change in this mare since surgery. Quietly, Hollie and I walked into the barn and she drank from the stock tank.

I stood by her and my eyes filled with tears of joy. Looking over at Sandy, I saw the same response in this woman. A woman who saw the magic of the moment.

When Hollie was back outside, we both declared that Hollie must have been in pain with her eyes. That the abuse had frightened her but the pain that must have lived in her eyes kept her on edge. Now, she is calm and serene - often leading Helen around the pasture.

We did a good thing there in removing her eyes. A very good thing. And I am happy that Sandy was there to witness the miracle of today with Hollie.

[SandyG]

A little bit of time, dedication to taking The Ladies to the stock tank every four (4) hours so they learn where the water is and so there is minimal risk for colic . . . . it all just paid off.

I went out to the barn to bring them to the stock tank before I took a shower and in the barn I found Helen, Alexius, and Hollie standing quietly. Snoozing. Within nose touches of each other. Quietly. In the barn. IN the barn.

Oh, what gifts these horses give!!

[SandyG]

Today is the stitch removal day for Helen & Hollie and the bandages came off of Alexius last night when Shar was here. What a beautiful herd of Ladies!! And so well mannered. Those eyes were causing nerves to be raw from the constant background pain and so now life is full of breezes and grass and touches and feed. Oh, life is good!

[SandyG]

It's hard to explain the surprise and pleasure and pride that welled up in my chest as both Hollie and Helen stood beautifully and perfectly for Isaac yesterday! Heck, they stood better than Faith did!

Isaac was very impressed with Helen. He will bring a collar and light harness with him the next time he visits and he says that even if she doesn't know how to drive, he believes it would be minutes for her to learn. "She's a Class A horse", he said. That, my friends, is the highest compliment Isaac can pay to a horse. And she lives in these barns.

Alexius stood well, too. A bit more of a leaner but still, I was so very, very pleased that the new Ladies passed the test! Now, if we can just get them to teach Shortey and PONY!!!!!

[SandyG]

I was awakened by the sound of the wind in the trees. YIKES! I left the blind horses outside!!!!

It was a simple minute and I was up with pant, socks, and shirt on - not necessarily in that order. Grabbed the lead rope and gloves I now keep by the door and slipped on my barn shoes. Down the driveway and flipped on all the lights we had!

Hollie was grazing but when she felt the lead rope over her neck, she took me to the barn! Alexius followed us up but was hesitant to come all the way in. WIth a little coaxing and release of pressure with movement, she made it into Liz-Beth's stall. By then, Helen realized she was alone out there and so was hollering and circling. She came easily and then I could breathe.

I learned something new tonight - no matter which one comes in first, the last one in is the challenge with circles, nerves, and tension. But I think that Helen is the easiest of the three to catch - she seems to know that she needs to go into the barn and "allows" herself to be caught.

G'nite.

P.S. Sorry, B., but our cleaned barns are going to get a little dirty. Somehow, though, I know you will understand.

[SandyG]

Three dry, calm mares this morning greeted me as I opened the barn doors. A little messy in the barn but they were safe and that's what counts.

I am still amazed at how quickly Hollie connected me and that lead rope to her safety in the barn - what a transformation that mare has been through!

Kittens are fed and purr'ing in their bed. How, just how, do you not fall in love with these little bundles of fur? Their Mama continues to heal and will be released on Friday this week. That will be one happy cat!

Have a great day today! The weather is cooler and the sun is shining - hoping to see you here in just a little while!

[SandyG]

I think we've got a track horse, here. That Helen can put her head into the wind and RUN!!!!

I awoke at 4am for some reason and saw a flash of lightning. Didn't take time to think, just put on the pants, sweatshirt and shoes. Grabbed the halters and headed outside. Black sky to the west and that green feeling in the pre-dawn sky.

Hollie was frightened and came easily. Alexius followed us right into the barn. I love that mare. Helen? Helen was running and hollering, now frightened that her friends had disappeared. No need to chase her so I just stood and waited. Sooner or later, she would find PONY! and Faith or respond to the calls from the barn.

Helen found calm PONY! and Faith who had started heading into the barn, thinking I was feeding. I came up to her and off she went!!! She's beautiful when she runs! But a few raindrops brought me back to now and I started to get worried.

With these three blind mares, my scent tells them everything so I closed my eyes and focused on the picture of Helen in her stall. Opened my eyes and she was twenty feet in front of me, pooping. One movement and I had a lead rope around her neck and into the barn we went.

I think Helen might be a track horse. A buggy horse for sure. You don't just naturally learn to run like that!

PS - As I key this, I am the human cat pole: three kittens on my shoulders and head, Crooked Head in my lap, and Opey trying to find a place to sit on me. And remember, I don't like cats in the house!!!

[SandyG]

The Ladies are really something special. I am convinced they are here because of The Master Plan and they have great works ahead of them. I haven't a clue what they will do but I know it is my job to prepare and be ready to recognize it when they show me.

I am to care for them, protect them, and watch them. They will show me when they think I am ready.

Today, they stood while three women stroked their noses. They dozed while the women just stood with their hands on them. One woman cried. Another one closed her eyes and began to rock herself back and forth in front of Hollie. And the third woman just stood with her hands on Helen and smiled a small very peaceful smile.

The Ladies. They are here and good things will come from them.