Saturday, September 6, 2008

Spent time with M at her place, selling tack I don't have any need for. Last night I sold a three pairs of breaches and a saddle pad. Then, bought two saddle pads from M, chipped in for pizza and came out even. After the sale closed we went to a tack store in Delano and I spent $6 on a nylon red, white and blue bridle for America's Horse (Josie) for when we go swimming. Looks like it will be next year that we will make our debut. I don't think either of us could handle the lake at this temperature. It is unseasonable cold right now.

Arrived at the barn for dinner time. Josie came out and I gave her a treat. A storm was imminent so I hauled our stuff up to the arena barn. Walked down to get Josie, put her halter on, felt heat radiating from her, her nostrils were flaring and the pink showed in her nasal area. She wouldn't take a treat. Not a good sign and totally not like her. We walked up to the arena barn, her burping as we went along (good sign). I walked her for a few minutes and decided she wanted to roll (another bad sign). Took her up to where the barn manager was for a second opinion. I tell the BM her symptoms and that I had noted she had gut sounds on both sides (good sign) but was distended and tight in her belly by her flanks. She started sweating on her shoulders (another bad sign). We decided to have me walk her for a few minutes and then see.

Decided to call the vet, Josie's face muscles were tight and by the look in her eye she was in pain. While I called the vet, J walked her. She did try to roll with her. When I initially caught her she was dirty on one side where she hadn't been when I first saw her. At this point I have been walking a good half hour to 45 minutes. Wyatt was concerned that I was upset. He kept trying to join me in the arena which is a NO zone. I was singing to keep calm but my voice starts to crack and tears are in my eyes. I have flash backs of Tilly who I watched die from colic. Please don't let anything happen to my Josie girl.

It takes the vet 45 more minutes. Well, what do you know he shows up and she is almost all better. We joked about it, my saying I have witnesses she really was colicing. She was suffering from a gas colic so he gave her some Banamine for the pain, instructions on what to do. I don't know why I hadn't given it to her like I did my other horses but we started her on ProBios which keeps the flora in her intestines healthy.

I am going to ask if she can just have this five times a week so I don't have to pay the $20 a month for supplement feeding.

I also got approval to ride in the clinic tomorrow - thank goodness.