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I no longer feel I'm looking after a crippled horse. This is great and something of a relief. Though already it's getting hard to remember quite how desperate I felt, that night just a few weeks ago finding her injured.
For my part, adjusting to Heather now living out, has focused my mind on the new challenges of trying to maintain her condition in less than ideal circumstances. With also, making sure she is recovering from her injury. The field where she now lives, is far from ideal, with more mud than grass and prone to flooding. So when possible I've brought her in for a haynet and a good feed. In fact bringing her in for a feed is more or less my chance to catch up with her and ask her what she's been up to! So far she hasn't told me a thing...
Seriously though, I'm determined that if she is to recover, it can only be quickened by giving her good feed. So over and above what is available on the yard, I've made efforts to come up with a diet that should help. She is now eating Top Spec Balancer, bulked up with Dengie Alfa A with oil, together with a handfull of mix and garlic. Nedless to say she's getting carrots, swede, apples and pears too! The balancer has all the supplements she needs. I'm particularly worried about her feet and determined not to let things slip here. Incidently she had shoes and a trim in the week and things are looking good here...except for the still cracked near fore foot, but good growth is coming. The Alfa A with oil was recommended by the Equine Nutritionalist from Top Spec feeds. Since there are times when bulk roughage, in the form of grass or hay might not be available. The Alfa A gives something towards making good the shortfall and is a slow release form of calories. I'm hoping the garlic will come through and help her with the inevitable annoyance of flies once the weather finally starts to warm up!! She certainly loves all the food I offer and would willingly eat a tub of garlic if allowed!!
The early Easter holiday brought a blast of polar weather, in the form of piercing gales sharpened further with hail and snow, directly from the North. I went to visit my brother, Mark, in South Wales for a couple of days. I left feeds made up for Heather and haynets. Though in the end hay was put out in her field and she wouldn't come in for Natalie, to be fed. Silly stubborn mare. Anyway she came in for me on my return. Glad to get a good scratch and tried to push me about!
I started writing this blog a few days ago. Heather was still improving on her dodgy leg and I even trotted her up in the yard on Monday. Still quite lame, but onlookers remarked on her progress. Unfortunately on Tuesday when called in, she came across the field enthusiasticly, but limping lame again.. The small wound has all but gone now. However her knee is still warm and slightly swollen. By the next morning she'd improved and tonight she is looking level and reasonably happy walking again. This is going to be a long process, with no certain outcome. At least the weather has warmed up a little
With some time off and a favourable forecast, I threw my walking stuff on the floor on Sunday evening. I've learned from experience that if I get everything packed and ready the night before, I inevitably unpack it again for some silly reason. On the other hand if nothing is done, it's all too easy to just not bother, and stay in bed!
Thankfully I awoke to a glorious sunny Spring day. No hanging about and itching to get going. I took great delight at watching stressed out commuters stuck in traffic jams heading into Manchester...all the way from Warrington along the M56. How do people do this every day?? Madness!! No such hold ups for me, my only problem was a dazzling sun, which stayed with me all day, forcing me to wear sunglasses!
I parked the car at the village of Rhyd Ddu, which lies to the Southwest of Snowdon. Last time I was here I was supporting Jim in the pouring rain, running the Snowdonia Marathon. No trouble today, but just realised I had no suncream.
I haven't been out walking on a day like this for a long time. At this time of year everything is so fresh and the colours so vivid. The air was cool and clear and almost tasted sweet. the sun gently warming, with hardly a cloud to notice. I took the Snowdon Ranger path from the West. Still dizzy with the flavour of the morning air and the devouring all the scenery. Hardly noticed that I was steadily climbing, till I started encountering some ice and left over snow.
They were clearing the railway line to the summit, to no doubt continue work on the new visitor centre and cafe. I didn't stay here long..too much noise for such a lofty peak. So I descended South on the Rhyd Ddu path and found a sun trap between some rocks, to have a short break.
This is a great way off this mountain. The ridge of Bwlch Main has steep drops either side, yet is easy to cross with a good path, so no scrambling is needed. But it gives an exposed feeling, which sharpens the senses and focuses the mind. The whole day was a sensory over load which left me refreshed and quite tired!
Sat in the back of the car facing the beatiful Nantlle Ridge, whilst getting changed to return. Something caught my attention and looked up, to see two paragliders riding a thermal.Everything about the day was perfect and I took my time basking in the sun. For a final treat walked up into the village and sat having a delicious coffee at the Cwellyn Arms.
With all this talk of storms and general gloom and doom thought I'd best get equiped for the worst..
Splashed out on a new pair of wellies!! I went out to spend...wanted posh ones. Ended up with the best fit...nice and cheap and quite green! Now just waiting for the storm, so far, nothing's happened!
Heather has been out for a few nights now and seems to be coping quite nicely. Fortunately she seems to have been able to steal almost ad lib amounts of hay. After her first day out's antics, I was not surprised to find her limping, the next day. However she also seemed to be in some pain, when putting weight on the poorly leg. There was some swelling and warmth in her knee, but nothing any worse than before.
Since then, each time I've fetched her in for a feed in the evening, she's walked quite well. Today she seems the best yet. I managed to get her a breakfast this morning before turning her out again. All the ponies in the field except Cookie were in for the busy lessons of the weekend. Poor Cookie was getting very upset about being left on her own. When they are out together, they choose to keep quite a distance, but having Heather somewhere in sight seems enough!
Tonight Cookie has all her pony friends back. I've brought Heather in for some tlc and a night in. The weather forecast is for a storm to sweep through tonight, strong winds and heavy rain. Heather walked to the gate to meet me, so I got a good look at her. Almost no sign of lameness in walk. Good progress.
A decree came from high up that Heather should go and live out. I knew this would come at some time, but was hoping for a couple more weeks in, or a more gradual change. As it is, she's gone from 24hr box rest to 24hrs living out! The idea behind it all is that the extra movement from being out will benefit her recovery. I have no arguement against this and she does seem to move better after a while. Unfortunately keeping her condition is going to be difficult. It's not quite Spring yet and she will lose weight. Not to mention keeping her feet in one piece!
At least I managed to negotiate her a place in the "graveyard" field, behind the church. This field has some grass and is well sheltered. So this morning wrapped her up and took a very excited horse to her new home. She launched herself full speed into the field, squeeling and bucking with delight. No thoughts of her injury!! Ran straight across to meet the others, two ponies, Ouzo the smaller and Cookie. Three of them in a lovely big field. Within a short while Heather had her first of many rolls and soon settled into munching mode. All good so far...
I returned tonight to bring her, her tea. Hardly out of the car when people were telling me how she'd escaped, taking the ponies with her. Someone was taking Ouzo out, when H apparently galloped from the other side of the field and barged straight past..with Cookie following and Ouzo trying to keep up. Fortunately at the road, they went left and headed for the yard, instead of right which would have taken them into Ashton village! They thundered through the yard and ran straight to the bottom field...where she now is. Many people remarked at how fast Heather was moving!!
I went to find her. I've been let down by my camera battery! The yards hay store is an old lorry parked in this field. Heather had opened the doors and pulled out two or three bales and was sharing them with the ponies...who are too small to reach up there. I wouldn't put it past them to have planned this. Anyway she had her tea, with extra oil and I left her by the gate with it open. She walked straight back into the field...no hesitation. It will be cold tonight and the silly mare is now in a field with no shelter and little grass. After all the days excietment her knee looks a little swollen and she is limping. Hopefully she'll calm down soon.
Time goes so quickly...is there no stopping the days rolling over, or even a way of wedging the minute hand to stop the hours sliding by! At last I feel myself again, ready to take on challenges and looking forward! But just as I feel fit and well, my time off is at an end and it's back to work on Wednesday.
During the last few days, I've fallen into a new routine of visiting the yard in the morning. Heather has her constitutional walk around the yard and a roll in the indoor. If it's been nice, I've tied her outside while I've mucked out. She's had some good grooming sessions and plenty of attention.
Once in a while I get a reminder of this horses stubborness and attitude. On our little walks around the yard, I've been trying to get her to walk as fast as possible. She loves to just amble about at her pace, which is far too slow. Does her no good, she drags her poor leg by the toe and seems to be making no progress. On the odd occasion that she gets excited about something, miraculously her stride is perfect! But trying to motivate her involuntarily onto this degree of movement ends up in a fight! "Walk faster..Heather" "No!" "WALK FASTER NOW" "Do you mean that!" "YES NOW!!" ..."Make me, if you dare!" "GET ON and don't be so stupid" This whole argument is a physical battle of intimidation, her barging me, flashing her face and pinning her ears..me shoving her back, digging her with and elbow and smacking her side with the lead rope. With this horse once you ask a question is asked, you have to be prepared to back your decision all the way...she can be very disagreeable and doesn't back down! You can see how she got kicked..!!
Her knee is still slightly swollen...there is still some warmth in the same place. After being in her stable, once walking, her limp subsides and the more effort she gives, the better she looks. She did however trot a few paces accidentaly, and she is still very very lame.The weather has turned from mild with gale force winds over the weekend, to bitter snow showers straight from the Arctic! Changes are afoot...
A few days have passed since I last updated here. Shortly after I last wrote, my sore throat and fever, turned into a very nasty lung and chest infection. For a couple of days I was really quite ill and had to pass Heather's care to Carol at the yard.
I returned on Saturday. The weather had turned milder and has stayed that way. Something which I'm sure had a bearing on Heather's recovery. Each day we've walked around the yard or the indoor school if possible. She has shown improvement almost daily. She is still limping, but now and then for a few strides she walks well, with almost no head bobbing. As she puts weight on the injured leg, her head bobs up momentarily. The swelling has stayed down and there is still only a slight warmth in her knee compared to the other.
Horses love to be out in the field. They are very social animals and yes they do "play" rough. I never really thought about the term "horseplay". I remember it being one of the things forbidden as well as running and diving at the local swimming baths years ago. Now I can put a picture to the word and I can understand exactly why this conduct is not welcome at the baths! So injuries will occur, it's just very unlucky for her that she took a kick in the knee.
One thing I knew she would be missing by not being out....obviously fresh grass and company. No, the first thing she does every time she goes into the field...rolls! She always rolls in the same place, well for the first one anyway. I'm not sure exactly how many rolls per day she has, but judging by the mud, I'd guess at three or four in a day out. So today I took her in the indoor when it was quiet for a walk...and a roll! Now it obviously just didn't smell right. She had a good sniff around and pawed the ground here and there, but then looked up disinterested. We walked around and as we came back to the most likely spot, I pawed the ground with my foot. Mmmmh...must be good! Short while later, she was down having a good scratch and roll....followed by a satisfying shake and snort!
Took her out for a good groom in the breeze. She's losing her winter coat quickly. One thing I've noticed is that she seems to have developed dandruff! Thinking of renaming her Snowflake! I don't remember this last year, but perhaps it's as she's staying in and not moving about as much. She certainly loves being brushed and scratched almost everywhere. So in general lots of progress. I'm feeling better too!
For my part, adjusting to Heather now living out, has focused my mind on the new challenges of trying to maintain her condition in less than ideal circumstances. With also, making sure she is recovering from her injury. The field where she now lives, is far from ideal, with more mud than grass and prone to flooding. So when possible I've brought her in for a haynet and a good feed. In fact bringing her in for a feed is more or less my chance to catch up with her and ask her what she's been up to! So far she hasn't told me a thing...
Seriously though, I'm determined that if she is to recover, it can only be quickened by giving her good feed. So over and above what is available on the yard, I've made efforts to come up with a diet that should help. She is now eating Top Spec Balancer, bulked up with Dengie Alfa A with oil, together with a handfull of mix and garlic. Nedless to say she's getting carrots, swede, apples and pears too! The balancer has all the supplements she needs. I'm particularly worried about her feet and determined not to let things slip here. Incidently she had shoes and a trim in the week and things are looking good here...except for the still cracked near fore foot, but good growth is coming. The Alfa A with oil was recommended by the Equine Nutritionalist from Top Spec feeds. Since there are times when bulk roughage, in the form of grass or hay might not be available. The Alfa A gives something towards making good the shortfall and is a slow release form of calories. I'm hoping the garlic will come through and help her with the inevitable annoyance of flies once the weather finally starts to warm up!! She certainly loves all the food I offer and would willingly eat a tub of garlic if allowed!!
The early Easter holiday brought a blast of polar weather, in the form of piercing gales sharpened further with hail and snow, directly from the North. I went to visit my brother, Mark, in South Wales for a couple of days. I left feeds made up for Heather and haynets. Though in the end hay was put out in her field and she wouldn't come in for Natalie, to be fed. Silly stubborn mare. Anyway she came in for me on my return. Glad to get a good scratch and tried to push me about!
I started writing this blog a few days ago. Heather was still improving on her dodgy leg and I even trotted her up in the yard on Monday. Still quite lame, but onlookers remarked on her progress. Unfortunately on Tuesday when called in, she came across the field enthusiasticly, but limping lame again.. The small wound has all but gone now. However her knee is still warm and slightly swollen. By the next morning she'd improved and tonight she is looking level and reasonably happy walking again. This is going to be a long process, with no certain outcome. At least the weather has warmed up a little
