We had been very lucky thus far and as we had our Tennessee Walker Mare for over 6 years we have only really had to deal with one health issue, and that was minor, it was a very common thrush in her hoof. All of my children, as well as anyone who comes to visit the farm, have enjoyed giving our mare treats, brushing her and riding her. However, we have come to a place where we are quite perplexed.
We noticed a month ago that our "fat girl" as we lovingly called her was loosing weight and at such a rate that by the time we realized it she had lost a significant amount. She began not drinking and not wanting food. We called out the large animal vet and had a number of blood tests done, had her teeth checked and an overall exam all of which yielded no answers. She was getting to the point of only drinking 5-7 gallons of water a day when a healthy horse should be drinking between 12-16 gallons a day. She stopped eating all of her favorite foods, carrots, apples, all of it.
We have been getting creative in our care at this point, we have covered all the bases we know to try and have wormed her, given her antibiotics, and even horse pepto bismal type medicine for her upset stomach (I had previously not even known such a thing existed). Dare I say, I have even begun cooking for my horse...yes you read that right. In a desperate effort to get her to eat something, anything, I began cooking carrots and oats and adding syrup to try to entice her. It hasn't been successful but at least I feel better then not doing anything.
We so love this horse and continue to pray for her recovery as she has been going though peaks and valleys of getting better for a few days and then taking a turn for the worse again. I never thought I would be cooking for a horse of all creatures, but if it helps her get better I am willing to do it.
We noticed a month ago that our "fat girl" as we lovingly called her was loosing weight and at such a rate that by the time we realized it she had lost a significant amount. She began not drinking and not wanting food. We called out the large animal vet and had a number of blood tests done, had her teeth checked and an overall exam all of which yielded no answers. She was getting to the point of only drinking 5-7 gallons of water a day when a healthy horse should be drinking between 12-16 gallons a day. She stopped eating all of her favorite foods, carrots, apples, all of it.
We have been getting creative in our care at this point, we have covered all the bases we know to try and have wormed her, given her antibiotics, and even horse pepto bismal type medicine for her upset stomach (I had previously not even known such a thing existed). Dare I say, I have even begun cooking for my horse...yes you read that right. In a desperate effort to get her to eat something, anything, I began cooking carrots and oats and adding syrup to try to entice her. It hasn't been successful but at least I feel better then not doing anything.
We so love this horse and continue to pray for her recovery as she has been going though peaks and valleys of getting better for a few days and then taking a turn for the worse again. I never thought I would be cooking for a horse of all creatures, but if it helps her get better I am willing to do it.
 Who knew that there was a pepto-bismal type formula for the equine? |  |
As I sit down to work on this post that I started about 2 weeks ago, I am saddened to report that we had to say goodbye to our beautiful "Stormy" at the end of last week. Her health was continuing to decline, she would no longer eat anything nor graze on the 5 acres of field that was hers alone. She also stopped drinking. Though the vet we called to the farm assured us that there was nothing else we could have done we still all took it hard. When you live on a farm these are just things that you have to get used to but sometimes, with some animals, we take it harder.
To add to the sadness as we were just trying to keep our kiddos from pining out the window after the empty field we awoke Sunday morning to find our geriatric beagle (she was almost 12 years old) had passed away peacefully in her sleep. It was some comfort that she looked so peaceful and had been warm and cozy sleeping on her bed in the laundry room but it was still a sad day.
I know that such is life on a farm, but it has been a rough week for this farm mama.
To add to the sadness as we were just trying to keep our kiddos from pining out the window after the empty field we awoke Sunday morning to find our geriatric beagle (she was almost 12 years old) had passed away peacefully in her sleep. It was some comfort that she looked so peaceful and had been warm and cozy sleeping on her bed in the laundry room but it was still a sad day.
I know that such is life on a farm, but it has been a rough week for this farm mama.
