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T O P I C R E V I E W
Incasha
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 1:45:48 PM I normally look forward to my weekends, but could not wait for this one to end…….. I am hoping by writing here and telling you guys I can come to terms with the madness!!
Late Friday evening I had a call to say that my foals companion (a very sweet ID foal of the same age), had colic, so I hot footed it to the fields and the vet arrived at the same time, but he was in a bad way, we finally got him and my foal down to the stable sin the pitch black across lots of very wet clay fields and down some steep hills!! It seemed to take forever! Once in the stables with better light it was evident Dillon was in a bad way, and the vet said he needed to go to the hospital. As he wasn’t insured his owner said it wasn’t an option so he was given lots of pain relief, but it didn’t stop him thrashing around, I couldn’t bear it, such a baby in so much pain, so I insisted we got him to the hospital….however when we got him there it was inoperable so we lost the sweet sweet boy!! In all this my foal was like a little lamb, he stood in his stable and didn’t murmur, think he was and still is in shock.
Then we decided to move him to my yard where my horse is, as he wouldn’t have any other horses for company if he stayed (as some of you may have read I was going to move him eventually anyway, but not under such tragic circumstances). However at the other yard, he would need to be turned out as the new stable snot built until beginning December, so he was turned out and seemed really settled. Sunday morning I was at the hospital first thing with my hubby (nuero appt!) When I got up to the horses around 11am, the YO said Romeo had been quite cold, so I brought him into another stable and put a rug on him……he was as good as gold!! I spent ages in the stable over 45 mins, and then walked him out around the yard, so he would get used to it! Then took him back out to his field, he was like a little lamb…………………………….not sure what happened then, but the second I unclipped him, all hell broke lose! He raced around crashing into fences then headed for the metal 5 bar gate, he crashed into so hard it threw him backwards, but he still ran around for another 20 plus minutes galloping it was the most awful sight, and we couldn’t get near him! I finally got him, it was like he had done the grand national………….I walked him around for a further 30 mins trying to get his breathing down….then took him back to a stable! (I borrowed it!), he then tried to whinny but starting coughing like a gurgling sound, it was awful! I called the vet out and she was very very thorough, she said he had probably bruised his trachy from hitting it full force on the gate, as he seemed fine everywhere! I took the rug off and rubbed him down with straw for over an hour to dry him out……..the vet gave him bute an acp for the next 5 days. I kept him in last night and left his rug on him, today I led him out on a lunge line and took him back to his field, we walked around for about 30 mins, he wouldn’t leave my side (so different from the foal we couldn’t get near just over a week ago!). If I got to far ahead he would get a little jumpy, so I decided not to unclip hm. He wasn’t interested in eating, so after about 1 hour we went back to the stable, where he is all nice and snug…I left him sleeping…and will go up and lead him out again later today! But I am so nervous about letting him off I don’t know what to do? I thought about putting my Cleveland Bay in with him, but he is quite big and although 16 he likes to play….do you think he would be too much for a baby?? What would be the best way to introduce them? I feel like such an amateur yet Ive had horses over 30 years!! I am at my wits ends after such an awful weekend, so any advice is most welcome! Sorry for the long thread, but I do feel a little better after writing it all down!
25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
pinkvboots
Posted - 26 Nov 2010 : 11:46:53 AM I am so sorry to hear Romeo is not well, I hope you get to find out what the problem is, it is a worry though what with loosing the other one to colic, please keep us updated and I wish him better.
Incasha
Posted - 26 Nov 2010 : 11:37:37 AM Hi All, yes excellant advice from you all, which I greatly appreciate. I have discussed the possibility of worms with the vet as it was my first thought. Both foals were wormed regular and followed a similar programme. I am awaiting dillons owner coming back to me with the pm report as I had already thought they could be related. On a positive note Romeo is a little chirpier today and is drinking his water with electrolytes, munching his hay and whinnying when he see me! Other than the twice daily injections I think he is enjoying the attention. He is however still very loose and stinky! And his test results wont be back until mid next week! He was due to be wormed for re worm last weekend but as with all best laid plans it didnt happen due to events that occured. I'll keep you updated! xx
Goldenmane
Posted - 25 Nov 2010 : 3:55:45 PM Sending you my best wishes, very good advice, I would look at all of it.
alison
Posted - 25 Nov 2010 : 3:38:40 PM Also think it may be worms though I'm sure your Vet will be looking at this but all seems to point in that direction. Hoping he will be well again soon it must be a very stressful time for you. Sending you good wishes Alison
jaybird
Posted - 25 Nov 2010 : 08:02:32 AM Hi
I do feel sorry for you...I had this situation happen to me many years ago...I bought a foal and for the whole of the time prior to his arrival I had all the field/stabling sorted out...trouble was the YO changed her mind on the arrangements on his arrival..so I moved him temporarily while I found a suitable place...while he was in his temporary accommodation with a friend who had a couple of liveries that were considered quite but he did sustain a kick in the face from one of them which required stitching...I was frantic but I managed to find him a permanent livery yard sharing a field with their own youngster...phew! it was seriously worrying stuff...I would never encourage buying or breeding foals unless you have a guaranteed safe place for them to grow up.
Beryl
jillandlomond
Posted - 25 Nov 2010 : 07:40:49 AM I suspect worms too. Discuss this with your vet without delay.
sab2
Posted - 24 Nov 2010 : 9:52:16 PM Bless him, i hope he improves soon, good luck.
jaj
Posted - 24 Nov 2010 : 9:36:05 PM Oh I so hope not! Were they wormed at the same time Incasha?
Mrs Vlacq
Posted - 24 Nov 2010 : 9:26:02 PM Same horrible thought - young horses and this time of year showing colic etc does rather suggest encysted redworm problems. The fact his buddy had a fatal colic isn't encouraging
saddlebred
Posted - 24 Nov 2010 : 8:30:37 PM Poor little Romeo. I dont want to scare you but I have been mithering about Dillon's symptoms all day. I lost my first horse due to encysted redworm after only 6 weeks of ownership. Despite being wormed in that period the larvae had migrated through the gut wall and burst his intestine. He was thrashing around with colic in the way you described. I am sure your vet will check everything but please bear this in mind if Romeo isnt better soon. I am sure his symptoms could be just stress related as he has been through such an ordeal.
Big hugs to you and the little guy.
Incasha
Posted - 24 Nov 2010 : 7:23:03 PM Thankyou for all your advice and words of encouragement! Romeo is used to his rug now, but still not well, he is suffering from really bad runs, the vet was out again today and he is nw on antibiotics by injection, we are giving him electrolytes in his feed, he is generally very down in the dumps! Hasnt eaten for a couple of days but was eating his hay tonight. He isnt bothered about going out, so am keeping him in, the stabe is huge, so he plenty of space to mooch around, have put various licks and toys up but currently too depressed to be bothered! I so wished I could make him all better and rewind the past few days!
Zan
Posted - 23 Nov 2010 : 09:34:04 AM Maybe the rug and the new place, having just lost his friend, are just too much for him all at once. Maybe you could get him used to your other boy, and then going out with him, without a rug initially, and then when that is established and he is happy with it, slowly start getting him used to the rug again.
saddlebred
Posted - 23 Nov 2010 : 07:39:38 AM Oh no. How awful for you all and I really feel for your poor baby. He must feel completely lost and very scared. I agree with everyone else about introducing him to your new boy over the door. When Diva arrived, and when she came back stressed from her box rest having Gini outside the door made all the difference. I gave baby a hay net inside and put gini one outside to keep her near.
You will be able to tell straight away from how they are with this if your big boy is going to be aggressive or welcoming to him. My old girl Fayre took an instant dislike to Diva and would probably still try to kill her if she could get to her. She is VERY jealous. If you think your boy will be jealous perhaps have someone else leading baby at first so that he doesnt feel he has been replaced. Then you will just have to be brave and let them get on with it. He will be safer with an older horse than tearing around on his own.
I would put loads of little piles of hay out so that they will settle down to eat. I am sure that they will be fine - in my experience it is only when the youngster tries to be boss that there is a problem. I would take the big ones shoe off first though.
Big hugs to you and I hope that it all goes smoothly. You deserve a rest from all the stress.
I hope that your friend is OK. How awful for her. RIP Dillon. Such a tragically short life.
Honeyb060674
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 7:32:02 PM Oh no what a horrible experience for you all. Such a shame to lose one so young, colic is a horrendous thing. I'm sure your gelding will take to him, they generally seem to know how to behave around babies once introduced carefully. I'd second lots of walking out in hand together, he needs his confidence building up after such a tough few days poor boy. Try your best to be brave & confident for him & I'm sure he will follow your lead. Keep us posted on how Romeo gets on x
moatside
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 7:28:53 PM What a horrible weekend for you and your foal. Pearl had never had a rug on when she came to me age 4 1/2 - she was VERY unsure at first but with time and patience she got used to it - she can still be a bit wary but thankfully does nothing more than tense up.
barbara.gregory
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 7:10:21 PM Sorry to hear of all your traumas. Poor foal to die so horribly; colic is a dreadful thing.
When I got my colt at two and a half he had never been rugged. We did the wall of death round the stable trying to get it on but once it was on he was fine but he seemed to get worse every time it came on and off so I just left it on. It has taken him a long time to accept it being put on but is no problem once it is on. I am sure your baby will be fine in his rug soon.
All the best.
Barbara
CINDERS
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 5:29:19 PM We had a simlar experience with our now four year old mare. The mistake was letting her go with a rug on when she was a yearling. She actually jumped the five bar gate, luckily she only skinned her knees. We had let her get used to the rug in the stable but first time out with it on she just freaked out
We should have known as the first time she went out without her mum she jumped the fence
Who says arabs cannot jump
Yvonne
BeckyBoodle
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 4:43:34 PM Poor you and poor horses.
Eba had an arguement with a metal five bar gate when she was young. It is still bent, but fortunately she seems to have no ill effects. Actually the same gate is bent the other way on the other half from one of the other horses having had a go at jumping it when younger. I am glad they both got away with it and were tougher than you think.
Fingers crossed you sort the companion issue and panic out. It is so hard, you so want to protect them. I have been lucky in that Eba is very good at self preservation and keeps out of the way of other horses, and she got on well with the ex-race horse that she went in with first, although sometimes their hooning round the field would give me a heart attack.
Do let us know how you get on. B
jaj
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 3:55:44 PM Oh Incasha you poor thing what an absolute nightmare for you and the other foal owner .
Really hope that your little chap settles soon, he is young and hopefully he will adjust quickly and put all that stressful stuff behind him. Not so easy for you though I can imagine . Best of luck introducing him to the CB.
Mrs Vlacq
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 3:53:55 PM what a trauma - keep rudding and walking him about to build his confidence in his new surroundings. Walks with the gelding and introducing them (not over the door at feed time etc of course!) and try turnging your baby for a run in the arena on a calm bright morning with his new buddy held or tied outside as a magnet. Then do so with his rug on. Or try them out together with the gelding rugged so youngster can have a good nosey at it, and rug him overnight assuming you can keep the stable. Good luck - things will settle down
pinkvboots
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 3:49:32 PM What a horrible weekend for you how sad you lost the other foal, I agree with others I am sure they will be fine together he just needs a friend at the moment bless him, I hope you manage to sort it out soon let us know how you get on. x
LYNDILOU
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 2:49:57 PM oh dear , poor little souls, I agree with everyone else put him with the gelding at soonest after introducing them , he will settle.
Emmo
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 2:33:08 PM Sorry just noticed i replied without reading previous posts
Emmo
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 2:32:18 PM Was it the rug that caused the problem or the fact that he was in a new field on his own? We recently moved our baby to a new yard for weaning, along with his nanny and the first thing he did was jump out. We stabled him for the night and turned him back out the following morning, staying with him for a few hours and thank god all been ok since. He should be ok with your other horse, maybe try and stable or one stable and let baby have a look over the door, take them for walks together if you have help. Hope you sort everything out, they are such a worry
Emma x
Callisto
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 2:27:50 PM So very sorry about the tragic and traumatic loss of his companion - you and your poor boy must be in shock.
I agree with Moira - introduce them over the stable door, take it slowly, and I'm sure your young lad will be grateful for any companionship at the moment. He will probably appreciate the fact that your CB still likes to play, and older horses are very good for babysitting youngsters.
.
. Best of luck introducing him to the CB.
