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One of the most important lessons taught during this time for me, was to slow down and listen to my horse....
December 2nd- This morning Racer was in his stall. He wasn’t able to move very well, but the vet told me to expect that especially in the mornings- because the cold night air will affect him (much like arthritic joints I suppose?) So I buted him, haltered him and we did our creek time. I took the farrirer’s advice and when we got out, I picked his feet standing him on the incline of the bank so his weight was on his back feet. He did really good, and I was careful to make sure that I didn’t hurt him when I picked his front feet.
Then I left him in the pasture and went and shoveled a whole trailer load of shavings into the stall.
He was moving a bit better on his mid-afternoon plunge. He actually got down to the creek quite quickly compared to the other times. I am concerned, I did not see any manure in his stall though. He usually goes in one corner and I called the vet. The vet said it could be that because he is a tidy horse he may be holding it in because he would have to move to release it. Plus, because he is not feeling well and not eating his normal amount, he may not need to go. I do hope he is right and Racer isn’t starting to get bound up and on a way to colicking.
At bed check he was out of his stall and into Trav's. Both horses have hay. I will be checking on him periodically through the night, sleep eludes me right now. I talked to a friend of Lisa's who has been fighting founder with her 28 year old mare. She gave me some good contacts for bedding
My dear friend Diane told me something worth quoting here. I hope she will forgive me for sharing this with the cyberworld:you need to take a deep breath and listen to your gut-- not your heart or your brain-- your gut-- your soul. It'll tell you what to do but it's hard to hear unless you are quiet and can clear away the rest of the clutter. And Racer will tell you too. But again, be still and truly listen to what he is saying-- not what you want him to say.
The last part of that really hit me, I need to listen to him closely, make sure that I can hear him. So many people are telling me what to do. And I am grateful for them all, and for their concern. But once again, I need to take my cues from Racer, what does he want me to do?
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