Foal Training after the scare

It's been two days since the colic? scare. This roller coaster ride
is playing havoc with the nerves and heart strings.But it is also an incredible journey
watching Kaylee grow up.

Tonight we do the foal training keeping a close watch

on how Kaylee reacts. Luckily all went well although we did limit her participation.

Walking over the rails

 

 

 Having fake flowers rubbed on

the body got a little reaction.

 She just keeps getting bigger, she

truly looks like a little horse now.

 

They are still babies and do

get spooked.

But they know how to have

a little fun too.

They had a big visitor, and none

of them were freaked out.

Another Scare - This is as nerve racking as when the kids were little

Where to begin:

Today Kaylee threw a BIG scare into us.

When we arrived at the barn she was out with the others.

I filled a 5 gallon bucket of water for her and Lucky which they polished off in about 5 minutes.

I thought it was strange but, I'm no expert when it comes to this stuff.

I proceeded to re-fill the bucket to make sure they had water when they needed it.

Linda groomed Kaylee while she waited for foal training to begin.

She noticed that Kaylee's manure was greener and looser than

it has been in quite some time.

Foal training began with Linda lifting Kaylee's legs for hoof cleaning, But she could tell Kaylee was

just not feeling up to it today.

She then was working with Jen V. on tapping the hooves and such to get them ready

for when they see the farrier. And that's when it began. Kaylee wanted to just lay down.

This may not sound like much but in the middle of the day while working

with people, this does not just happen!

So we stopped the lessons and starting walking her around the ring. All the while she would stop to

relieve herself. DEFINITELY NOT NORMAL!

Finally She just kept laying down. What the hell is going on. We just recently witnessed an incident of this nature two weeks ago with a devastating outcome. All Linda can think is the worst.(and quite honestly myself , as evident by the horrible picture and a lot of others felt the same way)

After foal training we took Kaylee back to the paddock where she proceeded to lay down again and we waited for the vet. Linda gave her a sponge bath with cool water and we got her on her feet again.

Dr. Boulay from Backstretch Veterinary responded.

She gave Kaylee a thorough once over, listened to her stomach and lungs. Kaylee had the gurgles in the belly and some raspy sounds in one of her lungs. Dr. Boulay gave her some Banamine to relieve the discomfort and Bio-sponge to firm the stool. By the time the Doctor left, Kaylee was up and munching hay with Lucky like nothing at all had happened.Linda and I went home around 4:30pm but returned at 8pm, 1:30 am and back again at 7:30am Sunday morning to check on her.

We know we will never be sure what happened, but I feel it was the immense amount of water that was consumed in such a short period of time that caused her already delicate system to overload.

A little braver still

Kaylee had a new lesson today, going into the outside wash stall.

getting over this hurdle will go a long way in in keeping her clean

and white. She was very brave and actually stayed in for

almost a full minute with no treats to keep her there.

I know what she's thinking.

"BOY THOSE FLOWERS

LOOK TASTY"

But we are on a mission and

need to keep focused.

I had to stand inside first,

But she came right in.

Success, a little nervous but

holding her own

Even a few sniffs to see

who else has been here.

Ok time to head back to the

safety of the lower grasses.

Standing tall and very proud

of herself for handling the

new experience.

Lazy Saturday

Bella and Sox were off to a show today to do there part in raising awareness for Lucky Horse. So Kaylee and Lucky got to spend a lazy day together in the paddock.

Having the time to just watch, it was amazing to see how much Kaylee has grown.

Kaylee 05/30/09

 Kaylee 09/19/09

We spent a couple of hours just relaxing and grooming her
which always helps to strengthen the bond.

All together in the paddock

After a week seperated by a temporary fence, it was time for all four of the foals to be together.

Bella wasthe first to investigate the new freedom.

They both seemed to appreciate the bigger area. And had a good

run for themselves.

While Kaylee and Lucky were unimpressed.

I'm ready for my close up Christine!

In the end they all seemed to be getting along fine.

Kaylee's new blanket

Training pays off - no fuss no fight when trying on the blanket for the first time.

Unique Art

From this

TO THIS!

(yes that's a 36 inch saw mill blade)

Nice use of artistic license Jeff.

This piece will proudly adorn Linda's fathers garage somewhere in Maine.

Sites we see going to and from the barn

  

Sunsets over Wachusett mountain and wildlife from Sawyer Hill Rd in Berlin.

 

A little friend at the fishing hole.

Paddock clean-up Thanks to all the volunteers

With Wonder away it was time to bring Kaylee back to the street side paddock. She immediately started to graze on everything in site. This may be part of her recent belly problems. So, time for a cleanup. The call was put out on a friday night and the next day we had 9 volunteers to help clear the way.

Right side of paddock before.

After

Left side of paddock before

After

Thanks Ron for hauling away the 5 truckloads of brush.