Wind Dancer

[Rowdy]

Wind Dancer is definitely bigger, and is filling out nicely. He is eating well. Compare him to the early pictures, with hips and shoulders sticking out...he hardly looks like the same tiny, skinny guy. We can still feel every rib too easily, and I want him filled in more all around, but we are definitely getting there!

[Rowdy]

Wind Dancer has made a game out of snitching Eva's hat when she goes into his stall to give him food, water or loving hugs. Last night, it was warm enough that Eva didn't wear her hat. Windy attempted to snitch her hair...you should have seen the look on his face when that "hat" didn't come off and Eva yelped! He was so concerned, and nuzzled her. It was very sweet!

[IMustBeCrazy]

Oh how sweet. Glad he realized he had hurt her.

[snowshoehair]

Most animals understand when they hurt somebody.

When my dog Kisha was just a pup, those little needle teeth would hurt like heck. When she would bite too hard, I started "yikeing" like pups do when they get hurt, and she would stop.

[Rowdy]

Dear little Eva is home from church with the flu--body aches, sore throat, chills, upset tummy. She wasn't even up to feeding the horses with me this morning. Wind Dancer kept looking for her and nickering. It was obvious he missed her. We're praying that Eva gets well quickly.

Wind Dancer will have his hooves trimmed this afternoon, for the first time since the surgery. Our farrier is very patient and kind, and all our horses love her. We don't know how well Wind Dancer will be able to stand on the healing leg, but our vet gave the go-ahead to get the trimming done if he can tolerate it. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Rowdy]

Wind Dancer was such a champ for his hoof trimming! It was very needed, too. His toes had grown too long and were throwing him off a bit. He walks with only a slight limp now. He was super for his Adequan IM injction, and even took his oral meds while lying down!!!

Eva gives Wind Dancer oral meds.jpg

More great news--Eva was feeling well enough to help with the evening chores and eat dinner. It looks like the flu couldn't keep her down. She was even well enough to sit on Rhythm while I led her around for about 15 minutes.

[IMustBeCrazy]

I am so glad he did OK with the trimming! Oh to be young and able to bounce back from illnesses quickly

[Rowdy]

Eva was cranky this morning, which is very unusual. She also slept through her alarm. She was to bed on time last night, so I think she's still feeling a bit under the weather. She is in school right now.

Wind Dancer was his sweet self this morning. He is growing and healing so wonderfully. We really appreciate the continued prayers!

My little boy (Andy, age 5) informed us yesterday that horses are near the top of his list of favorite animals, along with dolphins and penguins. He has started hanging around our stable and out in the pasture with the horses. Who knows where this may lead...

[IMustBeCrazy]

Sounds like she still feels bad, just doesn't want to stay away from her boy! Sound like US as kids???

Of COURSE Andy likes horses, look whose genes he has!

[Rowdy]

Edie, you hit the nail right on the head...I couldn't be kept away from my horses, even with broken bones...

Eva is still a bit under the weather this evening, but she's to bed in plenty of time to get a good night's rest. Perhaps school standardized testing week is also getting her down. She will probably feel better soon. Wind Dancer was SO happy to see her this afternoon!!!

[Annabreher]

He is going to be so easy to train! Eva will be able to throw a halter on him and gallop off into the sunset.

-Anna

[Colleen]

It's so good to read about Eva and Andy, and their love for animals. When children see animals treated with love, they learn, and teach their children. Good luck to Eva in the exams. Hope you feel better soon!

Colleen

[Rowdy]

There is also Cecilia, our 9 year old who LOVES horses but is still a bit intimidated by them. She is overcoming her fear, and loves to be led around on Profeta or Rhythm. She has also mentioned a desire to join Pony Club. I think I will sign both Eva and Ceci up and see how it works out.

Eva said she felt better and came out to visit the horses with me this evening, but she always felt COLD. She spent most of the time snuggled up with her buddy, Wind Dancer. He is a sweetheart. He had the rest of the horses in the barn with him today due to the chilly rain that soaked central Georgia. We let them out for a bit this evening; Windy had to listen to them racing from one end of the pasture to the other while I cleaned stalls. He got a bit rambunctious and bucked around his stall for a few minutes, then settled down again. He is very good when hand grazed, although sometimes he tests to see if we will let him rear or buck. He always telegraphs his intent, and is quick to get back in line when corrected--all it takes is a shake of the lead line and a stern word. He is quite a guy!

We are still changing his leg wrap every 2 days. The suture wounds seem to have healed nicely. It is time to start teaching him to stand calmly while tied. I think he will learn quickly. He seems very smart for a youngster, now 9 months old.

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Glad to hear that Eva is feeling better. Super news about his wound and even more super news about Windy's settling down. He's an old soul - that one - will learn very quickly

Hope you are enjoying your retirement! Congratulations and Bless YOU for your service!

[Rowdy]

Okay, here is an update on both of our patients. Sit down to read this...

Wind Dancer completed his oral pain meds as well as his meds to prevent ulcers two days ago. This afternoon, he seemed much more melancholy than normal. There was no colt-play while being hand grazed, no bucking around his stall, very little neighing to the other horses, and no rolling in his fresh sawdust. He also dropped off of his grain consumption, although he is still eating plenty of hay and drinking his water. His temp was 101.1, which is in the normal range for a 9 month old colt. His leg under the bandage still looks fine. I do not know if this temperament change is because his leg hurts without the pain meds (his limp did not increase), or his tummy hurts (but there are no other indications of that), or he misses Eva. If he still seems lethargic at morning feed time, I will call Dr. Cook and we'll figure out where to go from there.

As for little Eva, she is under the weather again this evening with chills and a sore throat. Chances are she'll be home in bed tomorrow. I will check with her PCM and see what we need to do for her as well.

Tough day...I'm exhausted...and once again I am begging for your prayers both for Eva and for Wind Dancer.

[fxtrtrgrl]

Prayers for Eva and Wind Dancer. Here's to a speedy recovery for both of them. Hugs to all.

Lyn

[Annabreher]

Aw, poor buddy. I hope he feels better! I am sure once Eva is well he'll be back to his old self. Get better guys!!!
-Anna

[Rowdy]

Wind Dancer is still not eating his grain. Dr. Cook thinks his tummy is bothering him, so we're placing him back on the Gastroguard. Hopefully that will do the trick.

I remember that when Rhythm had her colic episode last year and we found out she has ulcers, we weaned her off of the Gastroguard over several days and transitioned her permanently to U-Guard. Maybe stopping the Gastroguard so suddenly was the wrong thing for Wind Dancer. I'll talk to her about gradually taking him off of it and maybe getting him onto Succeed.

Wind Dancer was a perfect gentleman for his hand grazing today. (The few little hints of green we have don't stand a chance with him!) I took the opportunity to introduce him to some training tools. He was a little scared of the stick at first, but quickly accepted it and went back to grazing.

Wind Dancer Accepts the Stick.jpg

Eva slept too late to help with morning chores, but felt well enough to go to school. She didn't have a fever yesterday, so we let her go with instructions to have her teacher or the school nurse call if she feels bad later. This virus is a tough one to shake! Her PCM said there is really nothing we can do but keep her comfortable, sooth the sore throat if it comes back, and let it run its course.

[IMustBeCrazy]

Glad it isn 't full blown flu. At least she was feeling well enough for Girl Scouts Any more limping since he's been off pain meds?

[Rowdy]

No more limping...no less either...

[Rowdy]

It is too early to tell if the Gastroguard is going to do the trick for Wind Dancer, but we should know tomorrow (two days of full doses). That said, he did seem a bit more chipper today, after just one dose. He probably has gastric ulcers, so we're going to work with the vet to determine the best long-term solution for him. It will start with a full 4-week round of the Gastroguard though.

Eva seems to be doing better, but this virus is tricky. Just when someone seems to be over it, the symptoms flair up again. Hopefully she will get some good quality time in with her buddy tomorrow. We are supposed to have good weather, and nothing on the calendar until late afternoon!

Andy was out helping in the stable again tonight, and very proudly hauled that huge wheelbarrow again! Ceci went to bed as soon as we got home...she wasn't feeling well...looks like that darned virus is trying to take her on as well.

Thanks for the prayers--we appreciate them!

[IMustBeCrazy]

No MORE limping is a good sign

Prayers that Ceci beats the bug and that the sunshine and warm pony heal Eva of her's.

[Rowdy]

Wind Dancer took his Gastroguard today without even needing a halter. He was so good! He is also acting like his old self again, so I'm convinced he has ulcers.

We set up a round pen today for when he can finally have some freedom. I took him into it to hand graze him, and he accepted it well in spite of the fact that it is new. I think he is one of the most level-headed colts I have ever met.

Eva, Ceci and Andy are all well today, too!!! Eva rode Rhythm for about an hour in the new round pen, then led Ceci around on her. She's such a sweet pony!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

Great news all around! Prayers continue!!!

[IMustBeCrazy]

With weather like we had today, who could stay inside even if they were sick?? Glad he is more like his old self. Sounds like some Succeed for a month or two may be in order.

[Rowdy]

Eva took Wind Dancer into the round pen again today to make sure he is not scared the first time we let him loose in there. He accepted it very calmly. He is still confined to his stall and hand grazing until March 14th.

Eva and Wind Dancer....jpg

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

happy smiles! can you post this pic on facebook? I know those peeps would like to see it too

[Rowdy]

Great idea--I will!

[Rowdy]

Eva gave Wind Dancer his Gastroguard tonight. He is such a sweet guy about all the meds--it is all old hat to him by now. He still gets very excited when we put the fresh bedding in his stall each day, and loves to roll in it. We have to escape fast to make sure he doesn't accidently kick us as he rolls!

Wind Dancer's limp is still there, but it is not bad at all. It was a soggy, rainy day, so he didn't get to go outside, but Eva took the shedding blade and helped rid him of handfulls of loose hair. Boy, did he ever love that!

Eva wants everyone to know that Wind Dancer is doing a LOT better than a few weeks ago, and she really appreciates all the love and prayers!

We have not found any treat that Wind Dancer likes (no to apples, carrots, horse cookies of different types, etc.), but he really lights up whenever he gets praised, especially by Eva. He is learning to yield to a touch on the shoulder or hip...his original response was to shove back, but not any more. He is very smart and learns quickly.

[snowshoehair]

What a sweetie... I'm sure he'll learn what treats are one day!