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Thread Four: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1332664/posts |
Posted on 12/30/2004 7:01:16 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads…. And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
That all sounds good.
Becky
I hope shes ok. I am going to go and listen to her stomach when James gets back. (20 mins). I forgot as i was so pleased she came to the second gate :)
I just wish they could tell us what is going on!
That's a good sign.... I was going to ask what you meant above by 'standing splayed out'.... She could be colicky, but she could also be foundering, it is sometimes a risk with nursing mares even if they don't have a radical diet change. But founder/laminitis is VERY painful and they stand parked with their front feet out in front of them.
Is your hay good? Checked it real well for mold? Has she been nibbling at old hay left on the ground that might be moldy?
Oh, and IMO, I don't think it was a false alarm. It just could be something that has already passed. Horses demonear suddenly changing, and rolling are definite indications of something wrong. I don't think mares would get that tired from dealing with a foal:), I'm sure the foal slept most of the night. If there are no more symptoms thru the day, whatever it was has passed. If any symptoms do recur, I'd call the vet.
Becky
The hay is fine. no mold at all.
By splayed out........i meant that she had her front legs to the side a bit and her head hanging. I guess a good expression woult be "forlorn". What with her rolling and rolling earlier we are concerned but i am hopeful with her walking about.......she just didnt seem her normal self earlier and I just dont want her to be in any pain :(
Thanks......if she starts rolling again or shows signs of being in pain, the vet will be here i can assure you!
I will be watching her closely.
OK sounds good. - if colic symptoms recur, just don't let her roll again.
should I just keep her up and walking whilst James calls the vet if she starts again?
james just got back and i am going to go listen to her stomach and see how she is, she is still standing. I'll post when i get back here.
Yes. Do your utmost to keep her from rolling. Put a lead rope on and walk, if she starts to go down, this sounds bad, but it's for the best, whip her, kick her if you "have" too to keep her on her feet. If you can't keep her on her feet, and she does go down, kneel on her neck, hard. Rolling is the most dangerous thing when colicing. They can twist a gut, and that results in death, slow painful death unless you just get the vet out to put them down. They can do surgeries to untwist, but they are usually NOT successful and very expensive.
Becky
Yep. Walking only enough to keep her from dropping and rolling. It isn't an exercise thing, but something to keep her from hurting herself. Walking can also help get bowel moving in a gentler way, if there is a trapped gas bubble or a contispation going on. If she'd rather stand pretty quiet till the vet gets there, that's ok too. If she wants to lay quiet till he gets there, that's OK, just no rolling.
Rolling is a reaction to a painful gas or bowel blockage, it's just too violent, and can actually twist their gut around itself and they will die from that.
Good news. She seems to be doing fine, has run the field, eaten more hay and her gums are pink, her bowels just moved and her stomach is rummbling.
Should I keep her on just hay today and leave out the mare and foal feed?
While we wait ;~D
Still no answer on the email I sent to the NATRC regarding Isoxoprene. Duchess... Isoxoprene is the name of the active ingredient drug itself. I don't think there are common substitutes, because it is the ~only~ treatment for navicular symptoms discussed on the web, besides bute for pain. I did all kinds of searching of "Isoxoprene" along with "banned" and "drugs" and "competition" and didn't find any returns that it is disallowed in other kinds of competitions. In fact, they speak of horses doing well and being able to continue performing in their sport (assumes it's allowed). But I didn't have luck finding any published lists of disallowed drugs.
I think I would for just today. Just give hay today.
If she is losing weight you might want to slowly increase the grain, you are giveing her. And on average, horses need 1/3 of a bale of hay a day. Feed that amount, if you notice a lot of waste you can cut back to save the waste. How many times a day do you feed?
Becky
what do you suggest? Should we just feed her hay and leave off the mare and foal feed?
We have been giving her a flake of hay and 4, 2llb coffee cans full of mare and foal feed a day. Is this right/wrong too much too little or any suggestions for changes appreciated!
I'll get hold of Celia, She talks to alot of people on NATR's e-mail discussion board. She will either know, or know how to get hold of someone, maybe quicker.
Becky
looks like we need to increase the hay. Thankyou.
Sounds like you are giving her plenty of grain. Do you divide that up into a morning and evening feeding? The only problem with the grain would be if your giving her all that all at once.
I would definitly increase her hay. 2-3 flakes twice a day.
Becky
I'd do what Becky recommended about not feeding grain unless and until she looks right, and it would seem that in general, you should be feeding more hay if there isn't good effective pasture. I feed mine two heavy flakes morning and night, and they aren't nursing. The amount should feel heavy, not just air, the thickness depends on how dense your bales are. Feed until there is waste, and then cut back the amount they are wasting. Unless it's alfalfa (which I don't recommend) she can have as much grass hay as she wants, and baby too.
The Mare and Fola feed should be more monitored, and I'd follow the directions on the label to start, and then add/subtract as needed.
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