Wind Dancer

[Rowdy]

Tall, tall, tall...but WD is still such a beanpole! Eva has been growing too, both in height and in emotional maturity. The two of them are so precious together.

Eva and Wind Dancer3.JPG

He still follows her everywhere.

Eva and Wind Dancer.JPG

[snowshoehair]

Such a sweetie he is... has to keep an eye on her at all times!

[Rowdy]

Wind Dancer is getting so tall, and he is testing his leadership abilities. Yesterday he started to beat up on our little 20-year-old Hackney pony mare, Bit-O-Rythum (Bitsy). We switched him from the pasture with Bitsy and Profeta over to the pasture with Miss Wildfire and Dreamcatcher. I hope they help him learn herd manners and treat him well, but Dreamcatcher has roughed WD up in the past. We will just need to keep an eye on them.

It was up to 103 degrees yesterday and is forecast for 101 degrees today...too hot to think with 95-98% humidity! The horses are enjoying the break from training. The grass is dried up and clouds of dust are common. We have several acres of woods we wre looking into turning into pasture, but it will take time to clear the land, eliminate the stumps and the holes, clean out the cactus nests, and plant good grass. In the meantime, a neighbor has offered to let our horses graze on a chunk of his land; this also saves him from having to mow it. Part of the land is infested with sand burrs (also called sand spurs) but at least there is something green for the horses to eat.

Eva is studying the Parelli natural horse-man-ship system with me and we are playing games with Wind Dancer and the rest of the herd. With his strong play drive, he is taking to this like it is meant to be. We plan to build a confidence course with a bridge, tarp, tires, and whatever we can get our hands on so we can break the monotony of the round pen. I think all the horses will enjoy new challenges.

[Rowdy]

If you know where we can get barrels, horse-safe balls or other equine play items at reasonable prices, please let me know. Also, we are looking for things to make or do with the “stuff” we gather, so please feel free to share your ideas with us as well.

[snowshoehair]

I know lots of people give their horses an orange traffic cone to play with...if you can get your hands on one. A milk jug hung from the rafters in a stall is good too.... and I think some put something inside to make it rattle. My first thought is rocks, but it probably would be safer to use something like horse cookies or even dog kibble. A Jolly Ball is something they can all share out in the pasture....it's a very tough ball with a large handle and it comes in different colors and sizes. Do a google search for Jolly Ball to see what they look like.

Does your feed store carry anything?

[Beth]

I know people who use boat dock bumpers for horse toys - much cheaper than the manufactured "horsie" stuff. Probably need to keep MM away though...he'll start asking for a yacht and sailing lessons...

Also know people who go to restaurants and wholesale food distributors and get their pickle barrels, etc...free for the taking usually.

[Rowdy]

Good suggestions--WD loves his Jolly Ball, and he plays with his milk jug a lot as well.

We are looking for stuff for the confidence course, so boat bumpers and pickle barrels are right on target. Since WD isn't spoiled too much yet, perhaps we can hold off on a yacht until after Dave retires...

[snowshoehair]

No yacht..... or WD would want swimming lessons next!

[Rowdy]

Silly boy doesn't even like to get wet...he rubs against everything and acts like bugs are crawling all over him! The interesting thing is that the water has a difficult time even soaking into his fur--it mostly just rolls off instead.

[Rowdy]

Yesterday I sent an update on Wind Dancer's status to Dr. John Madison, the surgeon who operated on him. His response was so encouraging! This is what he said:

"Barbara,
Thanks for the update. I'm happy to hear he is doing well. If he is sound at this stage I would be optimistic that he will remain sound. Good job.
John Madison"

WOW!!! From "prognosis is dismal, you need to be prepared to put him down...worst damage I've ever operated on" to this...we are sooooo excited about this dear colt's future!!! Eva just can't stop grinning and dreaming!

Thanks again to everyone who helped pay and pray for the surgery, and for the continued love and support--you're AWESOME and so is GOD!!!!!

Now, keep those prayers flowing!!!

[IMustBeCrazy]

That is such GREAT news!

[fxtrtrgrl]

Sounds as if WD is going to get through all of the leg issues in great shape. Congrats to Eva and WD.

Lyn

[Rowdy]

Wind Dancer and Profeta have become buddies. Here they are grooming each other.

Profeta and WD2.jpg

He also grooms Bit-O-Rythum...when she tolerates him! Look at how much taller WD is than Bitsy now.

Bitsy and WD.jpg

Also note that WD no longer has ribs sticking out!!!

[snowshoehair]

He looks like a teen-ager with those looooooong legs!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

he's looking so grown up! I can't believe it!! what a handsome boy he is - so glad to hear that prayers and a lot of love have made him strong - love you WD!

[IMustBeCrazy]

He looks incredible. Congrats to Eva for her care and love. It has made all the difference!

[Rowdy]

Lori, Wind Dancer eats like a teenager, too! His ration is 1.5 times normal under vet guidance, nearly as big as Miss Wildfire's, and she is a 4 year old TB! Profeta and Dreamcatcher get a quarter of that, and Bitsy gets only half of what they each get. He is eating his way into adulthood! His legs are soooo long, and when he stretches the back ones waaaay out behind him, it is quite a sight!

Penny, WD looks more and more grown up each and every day. His attitude has remained sweet and kind, and I am certain that Eva's loving hand has had a terrific impact on his emotional development, especially getting him through the rough 30 days of stall confinement. I thank God every day for all of the wonderful people who made this possible and gave him a second chance at life. Keep praying, and we will keep dreaming about their awesome future together!

Edie, I agree that Eva has done a fantastic job with WD. Those are the first pictures we have ever taken of him where his ribs, hips and shoulders aren't acutely visible! In addition to that, he is 100% touchable over every inch of his body. She handles him a lot every feeding time, and he loves it, especially when he gets brushed. He loves the stiff brush so much that he will stop eating and close his eyes while we brush his withers. He especially loves to have his tush brushed.

[Rowdy]

We picked up 8 bags of horse grain today. Eva unloaded it--all 400 lbs!!!--and carried it from the truck to the feed shed, handing it up to me since she can't navigate the stairs with a 50 lb bag yet. I am not sure I could have managed it without her!

We brought a couple of empty bags outside and set them aside to bring to the dumpster after we fed the horses. Well...as I was leading Wind Dancer in for his dinner, he was a bit spooked by the strange "creatures" in the yard, so I allowed him to approach and investigate them. It was soooo funny! Once he determined that they were not equine-eating monsters, he took a sniff, then proceeded to flip them around with his teeth. He obviously loved the smell of the grain, and just had a blast trampling them, listening to the noise they made, and acting like a playful colt.

When he tired of the play, he went in and ate his dinner, then wanted to play with them again on his way back to the pasture. Eva was leading him out, and she, Ceci and WD played with the bags until there wasn't much left to play with. WD returned to the pasture content and assured that it is ok to see different things in the yard. What great fun!!!

[Mr. Midnight's Mom]

I can just picture that!

[Rowdy]

On Saturday, Wind Dancer came limping in for his breakfast. He had a large lump with a bloody 1 inch cut on his right front forearm. We can't tell if he got kicked, ran into something, or what happened. Eva and I hosed it off, cleaned it up, sprayed it with AluShield for protection, and watched it. When it was still the size of a golfball today, we called the vet to check it out. There's no sign of infection, but we just didn't want to take a chance. She put him on anti-inflamitory medicine along with a round of antibiotics just to be on the safe side, and said we handled it exactly as she would have. He is no longer limping and everything looks good.

The vet raved about how good WD looks, and how sweet he is in spite of all of the painful attention. He is now up to 515 lbs! It has been a very long road back from starvation, but he seems to have turned a corner for the best. The vet assistant confided in me that when they first saw him, they seriously doubted that he would survive. Now he is thriving. See what love and care can do? I'm so proud of Eva and her dedication!!!

[IMustBeCrazy]

Give yourself a little credit too. Eva couldn't have done what she did without a very supportive mom. Kudos to the entire family for helping this guy out. He is a walking, neighing miracle

[Rowdy]

Oh, Edie, you are so sweet! We also couldn't have done it without the help of everyone who has supported us along the way. OHAAT, FOB, Facebook and all of the people who have come into our lives made this possible for this wonderful miracle.

[Rowdy]

Here's the latest picture of Wind Dancer, taken with my cell phone. I caught him just as he transitioned from a canter to a tremendous bucking spree. It is hard to believe he ever had surgery!

Wind Dancer 1 Aug 2010.jpg

[IMustBeCrazy]

OMG he looks incredible! Very hard to believe the vet didn't think he'd be sound!

[Annabreher]

I cannot believe this is the same horse! What a remarkable transformation! You and your daughter should be very proud.

-Anna

[Rowdy]

Latest pictures, taken today in the new temporary pasture behind our house:

Back Yard WD 8 Aug 10.JPG

Back Yard WD2 8 Aug 10.JPG

[snowshoehair]

What a handsome fella he is growing up to be!

[Colleen]

WD is well on his way to being a beautiful, big HORSE! It makes me smile to see him.

Colleen

[snowshoehair]

I thought of WD when I saw this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emxI-nRG ... r_embedded

[Rowdy]

What a cute video!

I do believe this tall grass of our back lawn is good for the horses--they're getting fat!!!

Back Yard P and WD4 8 Aug 10.JPG

Wind Dancer really loves to pal around with Profeta de Nirvana.