The Most Hansomest Big Red

[EquinePhotographer]

My dad got Big Red off the racetrack. He was a quarter horse racer, but his career was short lived. He had the speed to win races, he just didn't want to. He wanted to stay in the pack with his friends, he wouldn't go to the front. He was a roping horse with my dad, and he loved it. He traveled from California to Lexington Ky, with my dad, Bugsy (my first horse, he died of old age several years ago, he was 28) and my mom's cat Calico. My mom, brother and I flew ( I was 3 at the time), while my dad drove across the country with two horses and a cat.

Back in California, Big Red reared up in the trailer, hitting his head and tearing it open, resulting in the scar we know today


He also broke his right hip a long time ago. My dad found him out in the pasture laying down. The vet recommended he be put down, but my dad refused. My dad kept him still in his stall, stayed with him for several days, and saved his life. He developed a mechanical founder in his left hind leg as a result of keeping his weight off of his right hind leg. This causes his left hind to turn out as he walks now.

He's such a sweet boy. I just wish he was still rideable. I remember riding him all over the place, his favorite thing to do was canter. Once you let him canter, he was hard to stop.

[IMustBeCrazy]

The stories these horses have! I knew he was once a racer, but in CA. WOW what a trip! Kudos to your dad for helping this guy have a long and happy life.

[fxtrtrgrl]

He sure looks happy!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

I'm pretty sure he's an appendix quarter horse - hence that beautiful head of his. He is absolutely the most gentle guy I just love him - it has been my honor and pleasure to get to know him. He has the MOST beautiful eyes - filled with kindness and love.

He's a gem! I think he was stalled for about 8 months during his broken him ordeal. Found out today it was in what is now Lucy's stall. Poor boy, probably had flashbacks cause that's where we put him last night so he would be next to HIS babysitter.

When Jim brought him back here from the farm so he could babysit the DUCKLING BRAT, he was pretty skinny and very head shy. He is SOOOOO unassuming. I remember the first time I gave him a treat (cookie probably) you could just read the surprise in his face. He is truly THE MOST humble horse I've ever met.

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Offered Mr. Handsome Big Red a frito today - he ate one politely, then said, no, I do not believe I like them afterall. Thank you anyway. He is SOOOO polite

[snowshoehair]

Silly guy! Have you tested out the marshmallows yet

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Dr. Uncle Woody came by this evening to pull the Duckling boy's coggins, give him his shots and Big Red his - and to draw some blood from Big Red - he had Jolee walk and turn Big Red - and then noted that he was really stiff on one side - Big Red has lost a LOT of muscle tone in his back and sides - and just not generally gaining weight. He's been on Suceed for about 6 weeks -
Woody suspected a deterioration in the neck that was impinging on the spinal column - so he shot a series of xrays - Mr. Big Red has a LOT of arthritis in his neck - C 6 I believe - you can see the bumpyness and also where it has become unlevel.

The neurologist will read them tomorrow - and will come out to inject the old guy in those spaces with I think a steroid - to make him more comfortable. This is NOT fixable - the most we can do is make him more comfortable for as long as we can.

Please keep this grand old gentleman in your prayers.

edited to add - that while I was waiting for MBR to "wake up" from his sedation - his Duckling Boy was straining to see him from the paddock - he couldn't of course - cause Big Red was in his stall. MM hollered for him a time or two - and then just waited by the gate - took about an hour before the old guy was steady on his feet and alert enough to put back out in the paddock - MM greeted him - then went off to graze. Big Red found his dinner hay - and was happily munching away as I left.

they are good friends.

[Rowdy]

I'm so happy for him--he is in loving hands, not a kill pen somewhere. May his future be filled with peace.

[fxtrtrgrl]

Dear Big Red. Hope he gets some relief from the shots. He definitely is well cared for.

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

The neurologist Dr. Neal came out today with his assistant - Woody met us at the barn - I had gone to pull Mr. BIg Red from the paddock - left MM with a worried frown on his little face at the gate. MBR was munching his way towards the barn - saw Woody's truck pull up - decided he was going back to the paddock - I told him they were here to make him feel better.

Since Big Red is a cheap drunk, as Woody called him, they didn't sedate him quite as much as the other day - before they sedated him - the assistant braided up his mane (I think he really liked that ) they scrubbed off both sides of his neck - then shaved him on both sides (about a saucer size) - then scrubbed some more.

Dr. Neal, who is a personal friend of the vet who developed Platinum Performance, showed me on the ultrasound where the needle would go - in between the joints of the neck - REALLY TINY SPACE!!!

Woody got to do it with Dr. Neal guiding him - it was really fascinating - what I could see of it - cause the CHEAP DRUNK was needing to be held up poor old guy

so they injected BOTH sides - but only the one vertebrae - not two - the other one wasn't nearly as bad

then we gently put him in his stall (all nice and fluffy) I will say he was a LOT more steady on his feet today than the other day!

I checked back in about an hour later - and he was bright eyed and bushy tailed - I fed him inside his stall - dropped the others their dinner and then came back to get him - he ate his way back to the paddock - his buddy was waiting - MM herded him out in the middle of the paddock at a TROT! (BR, not MM) and they both set to mowing grass.

Hopefully, the injections (steroid and something else I can't remember the name of) will help reduce the inflammation and he'll be a bit more perky. The muscle loss is probably gone, but as long as he is comfortable - that is all that matters.

MM looked at his braids a LOT - something tells me he'll want the same hairdo!

[snowshoehair]

Braids... MM will want them... and with blue beads, no doubt!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

NO doubt I can see him with a caribbean thing going on

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

We turned the kids out for a bit this afternoon during our VERTICAL BEACH we're having here in Central Kentucky. Big Red was AMAZING! You could tell he felt so much better - slinging his head around arab-style - and prancing all the way out to the paddock - JOlee was having to almost run to keep up with him - turned them loose (the duckling boy went nose down to the grass immediately ) but Big Red took off trotting then this beautiful canter!!!

YEAH!

I asked Woody when he called to pass along what he knew about BLuff if the blood work had come back - he's still waiting on one test - all were good - except his white blood count was elevated - HMMM - so he'll recheck it in a week or so!

But I'm delighted to see the old boy (big red - not woody) feeling so spry!

[Rowdy]

I love such good news! Perhaps the injection included Naprocyn, an anti-inflamitory; it is pretty common to pair that with steroids from what I understand. In any case, I am glad that he seems to be feeling so much better already.

Did Woody indicate if the injections were a one-time thing, or will they need to be repeated in a few months? I ask because I have to have shots into my shoulder every 3-4 months to keep the pain and inflamation under control.

We'll keep Big Red in our prayers!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Woody and the neurologist said it will depend on him - sometimes 2-4 times a year

He was feeling well enough today - that I had to chase him down to put his fly mask on him!!

[scoobysmom]

Continued prayers for Mr. Big Red, along with hugs and kisses!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Back home this evening - Big Red is doing SUPER!!!

[Rowdy]

Great news--let's hope it continues and he keeps getting better and better! Prayers continue!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Two evenings ago - Jolee and I took the "athletes" down to the arena - since it was going to be cold and possibly wet overnight, by the time we got back from the "butthead" experience, all of the other horses except Lucy, the Percentage Boys, and Big Red had been put up in the barn. Jolee and I took the golf cart to gather up Lucy and Big Red - as we were approaching Big Red's paddock - he starts snorting - galloping - BUCKING (2 really good ones ) and rearing!!! He was NOT AMUSED at being left to almost LAST! It was wonderful seeing him CAVORTING!!! like that

So the injections in the neck and adequan have really helped

Of course - he sees me coming with the syringe of SMZ's and he's not really happy!!! (he gave himself an ouchy we think rolling over and bruising himself with a hoof - it was a HUGE hematoma - bout the size of 2 fists - it finally started draining - we're treating with oral antibiotics for 10 days)

[IMustBeCrazy]

Good grief, that must have been some bruise! Poor boy. Glad the injections have helped. Is he putting on any weight?

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

he actually did the same thing last year - but more directly in the middle of his tummy - this was more to the side - so bruised worse -

the injection in the neck and the adequan have really made him feel so much better

I've been continuing the succeed with him - and I believe he is picking up a little more weight

makes sense - if the vertebrae was impinging on the spinal cord - then his digestion (along with other things) probably wasn't working very well

so all is good in Mr. Big Red land - he even had visitors come to the fence this evening while MM was following us around looking for a hand out - so he got some loving from strangers - LOL! He was thoroughly enjoying it, I can tell you!

[IMustBeCrazy]

Well he certainly deserves his own loving and attention. After all, he has to put up with MM!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

That's true - but MM is actually very fond of Big Red he's the boss - but he frets over him

Big Red is feeling REALLY GOOD now - it's literally a wrestling match getting the SMZs into him now - sheesh!

[EquinePhotographer]

This is a picture I found of Big Red, taken back out in California. Thats me on the bay horse, named Bugsy. I was about 2 in this picture, that's Big Red on the left.

[IMustBeCrazy]

Such a handsome fella! No wonder you have a good seat on a horse, started young and bareback!

[snowshoehair]

I was hoping you'd post that picture JoLee! Thanks... it's good to see the old fella looking like this.

Looks like you're getting along famously with Bugsy!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Mr. Big Red is still a handsome guy! That photo is fabulous! and you're cute as a button too - nice to see the famous Bugsy as well

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Dr. Reid and a whole crew from Rood and Riddle came out yesterday to see how the big guy was feeling - they filmed him - Dr. Reid trotted him - moved him in a tight circle. His buddy, MM, ate grass the whole time. Dr. Reis was very pleased with his mobility. While the treatment was expensive - it was certainly worth it! Big Red is feeling very good and is quite the spunky boy (course he like everyone else is feeling like a slug in this heat) - he even muscled Midnight for first through the gate recently.

He continues to enjoy his buttermilk (UGH) but he's had no colic issues since he's been taking it with his meals.

[IMustBeCrazy]

That is great news! Hope to be giving him hugs in person real soon.

[Rowdy]

Second chances are awesome when they turn out so well!!!