Quaid is now at the Veterinary Hospital.
Thursday night we were hit with a crap ton of snow. Easily a foot. That night, in the middle of blizzard my vet showed up to drop off some Easy Ride boots. She thought that they would help with the drive.
Ed spent Friday plowing so I could get the trailer out. I usually turn it around so I’m facing down the gentle slope driveway. but it was so slick that I couldn’t get any traction. Ed came and put sand down so I could pull it up but that meant I’d have to go down the steep driveway. It was so slick we had to put chocks behind the wheels. I was freaking out. So I reached out to sone friends. He’s a class 3 driver and within 5 minutes had my truck and trailer turned around. I gave him a huge hug even though we probably weren’t hugging friends (we are now).
On Friday it looked like he had an abscess pop on his frog. It was tender but he was putting more weight on his foot. I tried on the boots and he was immediately comfortable. I’m decided to leave them on overnight.
In the morning the boots were off- one even flung into the barn aisle. But he was weight bearing and much perkier. I had made a cocktail for him (😀on veterinary advice) of bute, Tylenol and trazadone. Julia came bright and early and we put the boots on.
This horse guys.. I don’t deserve him. He walked out and on the trailer without batting an eye.
The drive was completely uneventful and the roads bare. Other than some restlessness part way through I wouldn’t even have known he was there.
He unloaded at the hospital and walked right in. I met with the intern and resident. The plan of Monday to do the surgery. I won’t know how extensive until then. It could be just another hole or a big hole requiring a special shoe. I did tell them that I didn’t want him saved to live a life of chronic pain.
It’s such a relief to have him there safe and sound. I can relax and not worry about his care- is he okay in his stall? Is his bandage okay? Does he need his meds? Know others will make sure he’s fine
Our veterinary hospital is a teaching hospital and my memory of my time there is of 24/7 care, rotating interns brushing my horse twice a day, and not a single worry except for the standard “will he be ok when all this is long over?” I also think many great relationships start with “ I don’t deserve him/her” 😉
ReplyDeleteThis is also a teaching hospital. I hope he's getting lots of bushing- he loves it.
DeleteI've been enjoying and gaining experience from this story, thank you. The trailer training, I wish it had to do with the horse. I have two equines right now and for the last 10 years neither of them will go into a trailer, because they were never taught, and my small time boarding with someone who had a trailer didn't let me finish the training, via actually driving it somewhere. I have two equines who might rather die than go into a trailer. I have nothing I can do about this. In America i'd had only horses who jumped into the trailer without hesitation, even after a highway accident.
ReplyDeleteIt is so much easier when you have a trailer. But it's also not about the trailer. It's about being able to send horses into a space in front of you. I do a lot of work practicing with them going into the stall.
DeleteSending good thoughts. While the worry is still there, there always is a big relief when the experts have taken over. You know they're going to do all the things right.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteBreathe... don't forget to breathe....
ReplyDeleteWhat a good boy.
Breathing is good
DeleteI'm so glad it went well getting him there and that he seems more comfortable. Such a good boy. Fingers(and everything else!) crossed for a successful surgery.
ReplyDeleteHoping and trusting with you that all goes well today <3
ReplyDeletethank you!
Deletemy fingers are crossed that you get a good report and have smoother sailing in the days and weeks to come!
ReplyDelete