It's ben a while since I've done an Irish update. He dropped quite a bit of weight in late winter and it's taking longer to get back on then I'd like. But he essentially has food in front of him 24/7 so I can't do more than that. He's starting to look better now.
You may remember that last year he started head shaking in the spring and it disappeared in the fall. It began again this spring but so much worse than last year. Even with the U.V. mask he was unrideable. I was worried for Cynthia's safety. I bought a nose net and that seemed to help. Cynthia must feel like she's riding a mystery horse.
As you may recall I've started Carmen on a magnesium calming supplement. It was horribly expensive so I was looking for alternatives. In my research I found that Mag Oxide helps relieve head shaking in about 50% of affected horses. At that same time I found a feed store that sells Mag Ox for $32 a 25kg bag. The dosage is about 2 tbsp a day so it should last about a year. I figured that was a cheap enough experiment so I started Irish on it. The nice thing about Mag Ox is that it can't hurt.
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| Irish in mid headshake last year |
Irish continues to have his neuro issues. He's often incontinent with his urine and needs to have his hind legs washed frequently.
So I have this red headed horse that can only be ridden lightly, has horrible feet, has head shaking syndrome and dribbles himself while he's being worked. I wouldn't blame you for wondering why I have not put him down. The reason is simple.
He's happy.
He's affectionate and loving. He tries his best everyday and even when he's being a jerk he's adorable.
Irish is 16 and I don't expect that he'll have a long life. At some point I will have to lay him to rest beside Steele. I am waiting for him to let me know when that is. For now I will do my best to keep him happy and safe.
Because I love him.
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The Results
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In case I had you a bit sad from the post, let's do some good news. I put all the names into a random name selector thingy (gotta love google) and the winner is....
HAWK
From No Longer Fiction
I love reading all the entries- you guys are the best. It seemed neat that it was her because not to long ago she was throwing in the towel too.
So, Hawk, give me your contact info and I will organize delivery. There may be a delay because Canada Post is threatening to go on strike.
Good on you to listen to the horse, and congrats to Hawk!
ReplyDeleteIrish has always been a good communicator. Every morning he must have his face rubbed and he will stand by me until I do it.
Delete<3 Love this post.
ReplyDeleteThey do tell you when it is time. He seems like he has the best life ever for now though! :)
ReplyDeletecongrats to Hawk! and Irish is lucky to have you - a happy horse with a quality life beats out a lot of other alternatives!
ReplyDeleteIt's important that he feels good. I wouldn't let him be miserable.
DeleteYour situation with Irish reminds me of mine with Jackson. Different health issues but the same questions about why he is still around. "Because he is happy." (And that makes me happy)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of Jackson as I wrote this. He's a lucky horse too
DeleteI'm glad he is still happy and the magnesium is working! Congrats to Hawk, a well deserved surprise ☺
ReplyDeletethank you
DeleteSounds like he is a happy guy with a great life! You'll know when it's time. He is lucky you can give him such a great home :)
ReplyDeleteI feel fortunate that i can do that. He takes his job as official farm greeter very seriously.
DeleteI'm happy to see the magnesium works! I'll have to keep that in mind if any head shaking appears in our far future.
ReplyDeleteAnd yay! Thanks for hosting and honestly don't worry about shipping it in/out quickly. No biggie. You can reach me via the contact form on my blog. Last time I posted an email to a blog post that email was hacked and I lost everything, so I'm a bit reluctant to spell it all out :(
The magnesium kind of makes sense. Whenever I start to get cramping toes, I take it, and the cramps go away. Maybe there's some connection.
ReplyDeleteI, too, keep around some old arthritic horses because they're happy. I figure when it's time to put them down, I'll know. Until that day, I try to make their lives enjoyable and allow them to live like a horse with as little stress as possible.
I missed the contest, but it was interesting going back and reading the entries.
ReplyDeleteJust curios....have you ever had Irish tested for Lyme? A friend has and older gelding with many of the same issues, she treated him for Lyme and most has disappeared, even the dribbling.
I've been thinking of it. Next time the vet comes out I will ask her
DeleteIf how Irish worked at the clinic is any indicator he's still got a few years of riding in him. I've known a few horses that have been put on Magnesium for a variety of reasons including Lyme disease and they seem to do really well on it. Magnesium helps reduce muscle cramps, relaxes the brain and as a human who takes it at night, I can say it definitely reduces leg cramps and restless legs as well as helping to go to sleep. Unlike drugs, you wake up ready to go.
ReplyDelete