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Part II
Mar 16, 2007 20:09:16 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Mar 16, 2007 20:09:16 GMT -5
Thanks I went riding again today...It was NICE outside. Focus was even more hyped than usual. He would literally all of a sudden start into a fast canter just for fun. He was a BLAST to ride. I was able to hop on Gucci again. I spent about 30-45min working with her on the ground. I got in the saddle and my dad lead us around (same as yesterday). She was pretty good for that. After about 10min I asked my dad to unclip the lead and I would walk her a little to see how she was. For the most part she was good, but I can tell we are DEFINEATLY going to run into some issues . She doesnt want to listen to the bit when she feels like she doesnt need to is one of them. She has a very good whoa so far, but other things need some work bitwise. I am a little worried to continue working with her because I know sooner or later something is going to get out of hand. I really need to decide wether she really is the horse for me or not... There are plenty very expirenced people out there who could probably take her on with little issues. When she gets angry she bucks (which is why I stopped working with her undersaddle the last time) and to be honest...Im no bronco rider. Im really confused about all this (as usual). Guess I have some thinking to do.
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Part II
Mar 18, 2007 18:01:59 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Mar 18, 2007 18:01:59 GMT -5
Today I played with both horses, did a photo shoot for each one, took both of them for a walk, and rode Gucci. I have come to realize Gucci has better ground manners than Focus ;D. Focus is always moving, the energizer bunny. Gucci is laid back and half asleep on the ground (well...Most of the time ). Focus was first for photos. He is shedding like crazy, I kept getting hair in my eyes and mouth while brushing him . I took him out of the pasture and walked him around for a while and then took some photos. After that then I turned him loose. Then I went and caught Gucci, brushed her and took some photos. Then I took her for a walk down the dirt road driveway and let her eat some of the grass on the side. After that I brought her to the corral, saddled her up and did some warm up exercises. I used a rope bridle on her today, without a bit. It was too big for her, so she got a little confused at times, but was good. I rode her for about 30min. My dad lead us around for about 10min, then he unclipped the lead and would walk to one side of the corral and wait for Gucci and I to come over. I would start playing games with Gucci like, she would have to turn in a circle before going over to my dad, She would have to "whoa" for 30 seconds before she could walk on, etc. She was well behaved for it, but I defineatly need to find a bitless bridle that fits her! AND...I FINALLY got photos of both of them today. Undersaddle (well I didnt ride Focus today, but Gucci, yes) and photos of both of them not undersaddle. The not undersaddle ones are in the middle of uploading right now and I will post them ASAP. Right now here are the ones of Gucci undersaddle (Notice the tongue sticking out in this one ;D) And what Gucci thought about the whole thing:
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Part II
Mar 18, 2007 18:28:14 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Mar 18, 2007 18:28:14 GMT -5
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Part II
Mar 21, 2007 21:15:24 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Mar 21, 2007 21:15:24 GMT -5
Gucci cut her ankle yesterday evening on who knows what. It was a small gash, but bleeding and so when I found it, it looked a lot worse than it was. Of course, I went into panic mode . I cleaned it out, put medicine on it, and bandaged it up. I changed the bandage this afternoon and everything looked clean and good. There isn't any swelling or heat and she is sound on it. My main concern is that it doesn't get infected. I went thru just about the whole pasture trying to find what it was she hurt herself on and couldn't really find anything that could hurt her in that spot in her ankle. My guess is a stick or sharper rock got her while she was running around out there. Poor baby . She doesn't seem to mind it though, I think she likes the extra attention she is getting . Focus is the same as always...Still gaining weight...Yippee! He seems pretty happy, but he sure got impatient for his food while I was changing Gucci's bandage today, LOL.
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Part II
Mar 22, 2007 15:31:24 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Mar 22, 2007 15:31:24 GMT -5
Here is a cool photo that shows how much muscle and weight Gucci has put on lately. You can see her bandage if you look close (this was taken yesterday morning)
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Part II
Mar 22, 2007 17:02:38 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Mar 22, 2007 17:02:38 GMT -5
Just for comparison, here is a photo of her this Summer.
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Part II
Apr 8, 2007 14:16:15 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Apr 8, 2007 14:16:15 GMT -5
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Part II
Apr 9, 2007 17:23:43 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Apr 9, 2007 17:23:43 GMT -5
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Part II
Apr 9, 2007 20:16:22 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Apr 9, 2007 20:16:22 GMT -5
Here is one photo I forgot to add of Gucci and Focus that I thought was kinda cute
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Part II
Apr 12, 2007 0:47:37 GMT -5
Post by mypintoponee on Apr 12, 2007 0:47:37 GMT -5
Focus had a vet check two days ago and we have come to a tough conculsion. The vet said that his legs are strained and it is getting worse due to his age, and it didnt help that he was starved before we got him. His leg condition didnt have anything to do with riding. We think he is some amount of discomfort. The vet said he would still be ok for a small child to walk around on, but thats about it. We dont know how long he will hold up as a pasture pet...It might be tommorw he goes down, it might be 15 years from now. I am really upset about it, and dont really know what to do. Would euthanizing him be the kindest option? I cant keep him any longer due to some reasons I would rather not discuss... So really dont know what to do with him. I know how rare it is to find a pasture pet home that wont just dump him off somewhere. And if he were put down, is there a place that can take him "away"? I really hate talking about it, but thats whats up.
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Part II
Apr 12, 2007 0:56:39 GMT -5
Post by schwung on Apr 12, 2007 0:56:39 GMT -5
I'm sorry Angie. I think that if you can't keep him, euthanasia probably wouldn't be an unkind thing for him at this stage. If you can find a very good home for him to retire where you can check in on him and make sure that he stays well cared for, that would be great, but as you already know those can be hard to find. Given that he is in pain now and will only get worse with time, its is an option. Yes, there are rendering services that will pick up the body and handle the disposal after the vet has euthanized him. The cost is anywhere from $300-700, depending on the weight of the horse and how far they have to drive to get to you. There are 3 pickup companies that service Western WA - your vet can give you the names and numbers. So sorry you are dealing with all of this.
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Buena
SAFE Volunteer
No horse will ever teach you as much as your first horse.
Posts: 1,929
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Part II
Apr 12, 2007 1:54:11 GMT -5
Post by Buena on Apr 12, 2007 1:54:11 GMT -5
Angie, making that final decision is always hard. If you do in fact decide to opt for euthanasia your vet will be able to recommended rendering companies that service your area. QAR is out of Tacoma and probably has a fairly wide range of pickup. It was around $225 back in November of 2005 when I had to use them last. And if you do decide to do it, make sure you have a trusted friend or family member with you. If you choose not to be there, that's OK, too. And I know it may seem kind of morbid, but if you aren't able to be there, request that the mane and tail hair be clipped and saved by whoever is able to be there (many vets will happily do it for you). It is a very small yet meaningful momento to have of your horse. You may even be able to have it crafted into something special sometime later when you are ready. Some folks do a better job of clipping those hairs, so keep that in mind as well. It's tough, but well worth it to do. I have done it for friends when they weren't able to do it themselves, but I also have a stronger stomach than most.
Know that our thoughts and prayers and support are with you whatever your decision ends up being.
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Part II
Apr 12, 2007 12:03:44 GMT -5
Post by cardicorgi on Apr 12, 2007 12:03:44 GMT -5
Oh sweetiepie, I'm sorry to hear about this. It is a hard decision to make, I know!, especially when they have good days and seem bright and happy. But you are being realistic, I think. There are so many pasture-sound only horses out there, and limited *good* homes for them... and he does look like it's progressed since the last photos you'd posted of his hinds... Sometimes the kindest thing is the hardest thing to do. One thing that might help is to ask your vet "If he was your horse under my circumstances, what would you do?" - If you decide to euthanatize him, your vet can perhaps arrange for the pick-up. Mine did, when Fala left this good earth. And it is up to you if you want to be there when it happens - but one thing I'd say is DON'T watch his shell get picked up. We're here for you, Angie.
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Part II
Apr 12, 2007 12:21:34 GMT -5
Post by jaybird on Apr 12, 2007 12:21:34 GMT -5
Angie, I am so so sorry to hear that you're having to deal with this. I am here to help if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
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Part II
Apr 12, 2007 12:42:25 GMT -5
Post by cardicorgi on Apr 12, 2007 12:42:25 GMT -5
I forgot to add- Angie, you've given him months of love and care, and that is also a great gift. Let any of us know if we can help in some way.
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