warm weather - no thanks !
Red's breathing had been noticeably bad when he came in at night for a few weeks before they went out. We had decided to wait til when the vet came for Fi's vaccinations in April.
And when he goes out, he normally improves - loads of ventilation and less hay...
But when the vet came on Thursday, we had walked the horses up about 15 mins before and Red's breathing was really bad. Even when the vet arrived, it was still not back to normal. It was over 40 breaths a minute (over 25 is bad) and the vet could hear "crackles" when he breathed. Red *is* 36 and has had COPD/RAO for many years. We are not going to fix that damage. But the vet sorted some brochodilator for us to pick up.
Trouble is that Red has not been eating well... and the brochodilator is in powder form to go in food.
Saturday morning was rain and wind, but the weather improved and it was quite warm by Saturday lunchtime. When I brought the horses in off the grass, Red's breathing was the worse I have ever seen or heard :(
Sunday was warm as well, and it was bad again. There is a "wet" sound as if there is fluid slushing about in his windpipe.
I asked mum to look out for it on Monday but it was cooler and he was a bit better.
Fi was somewhat sore where she had the jag - so much so that I had to raise her food bucket up off the floor for her on Saturday. Needless to say I didn't exercise her. Weather permitting I'll lunge her one evening during the week.
Instead D and I took Dudley (me) and Rosie (her) up to the other farm for a wander. They were both a bit wide eyed but not bad. Dudley felt rather footie but improved during the ride.
(we think the grass is finally kicking in - so all the biggies are getting less time out now. One positive result is Red is eating more of his dinner).
In the afternoon big sis and D came down with her older highland and the one she is backing. I helped D jump the older highland, and then they rode back up. It was the first time the youngster has been ridden outside of a school so I acted as on-foot escort.
In the meantime my neighbour, our new jockey, came and rode Rosie for the first time - just around the field. Rosie was not entirely co-operative but J was consistent and calm and Rosie went a few times around the field, including some canter !! and came back slightly sweaty.
A busy weekend.
And when he goes out, he normally improves - loads of ventilation and less hay...
But when the vet came on Thursday, we had walked the horses up about 15 mins before and Red's breathing was really bad. Even when the vet arrived, it was still not back to normal. It was over 40 breaths a minute (over 25 is bad) and the vet could hear "crackles" when he breathed. Red *is* 36 and has had COPD/RAO for many years. We are not going to fix that damage. But the vet sorted some brochodilator for us to pick up.
Trouble is that Red has not been eating well... and the brochodilator is in powder form to go in food.
Saturday morning was rain and wind, but the weather improved and it was quite warm by Saturday lunchtime. When I brought the horses in off the grass, Red's breathing was the worse I have ever seen or heard :(
Sunday was warm as well, and it was bad again. There is a "wet" sound as if there is fluid slushing about in his windpipe.
I asked mum to look out for it on Monday but it was cooler and he was a bit better.
Fi was somewhat sore where she had the jag - so much so that I had to raise her food bucket up off the floor for her on Saturday. Needless to say I didn't exercise her. Weather permitting I'll lunge her one evening during the week.
Instead D and I took Dudley (me) and Rosie (her) up to the other farm for a wander. They were both a bit wide eyed but not bad. Dudley felt rather footie but improved during the ride.
(we think the grass is finally kicking in - so all the biggies are getting less time out now. One positive result is Red is eating more of his dinner).
In the afternoon big sis and D came down with her older highland and the one she is backing. I helped D jump the older highland, and then they rode back up. It was the first time the youngster has been ridden outside of a school so I acted as on-foot escort.
In the meantime my neighbour, our new jockey, came and rode Rosie for the first time - just around the field. Rosie was not entirely co-operative but J was consistent and calm and Rosie went a few times around the field, including some canter !! and came back slightly sweaty.
A busy weekend.
posted by seahorse | 3:14 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home