December 5^th-  

Clint finally returned from vacation and came out to see him.  He was encouraged and said he thought he would find him in a typical founder stance. Told me to keep up with the creek soaks and just watch him. He wants to see the new bedding when it arrives. I ordered some recycled cardboard bedding for the stalls.  I really didn't want Racer to go on sand.  I told Clint if at all possible I don’t want Racer to to wear shoes. He told me that shoes may be unavoidable, but right now, there was no way he would even attempt to shoe Racer, because Racer is in to much pain.

5:30 p.m. 

Racer colicked on me!  He was kicking at his belly on the way to the creek, and in the creek he was biting his belly a lot. I finally urged him out of the water and listened, and heard no guts sounds! I flew to the house and called the vet who told me to watch him and call him if he started to roll. Great!!!  I got on JR’s board and  posted and Sue (bless her heart) called me and said that I needed to take ¼ cup of mineral oil, 2 capfuls of peppermint oil, warm water and bran and make a mash. She also told me about a massage technique to help relieve the gas- 5 minutes into the massage, he passed gas, and I was able to hear faint gut sounds.  About 3 hours after eating the bran mash, he pooped and I was never so elated to see horse manure! Gee, who would have thought I would be happy to see horse manure!