The Things We Do For Love is the title of one of the photo albums on the Triple O FB page. It's meant as a mantra that love makes the difference no matter the outcome. Three weeks ago over the Memorial Day weekend we were contacted by a foster family due to an emergency. One of our foster horses had made a ill-fated attempt to go over a fence and was badly cut up. She apparently thought the grass looked greener on the other side of the fence and escaped onto the neighboring pasture but got hurt in the process. Fortunately no permanent damage was done but it has been a longgg three weeks for this bay mare we named Brandy. She's a young Thoroughbred with some trust issues. We immediately took her to the vet clinic where she stayed for four days where we went daily to feed, water, hay and medicate her for pain while applying medicine to her wounds and then cleaning her stall. Thankfully she was cooperative because there is nothing worse than trying to doctor a patient that won't cooperate. By the last day at the clinic, she began to move away when I got out the medicine bag so I knew she was feeling better.
We got her all settled in at the ranch and kept her as comfortable as possible. We treated her wounds 2-3 times a day and watched as she grew stronger. By the 4th day home, we were feeling better about her situation until the next morning at breakfast when we found her down in the stall. She could not get up. After receiving some pain meds she tried to get up but still could not get to her feet. We removed the stall door and all the wood off the side of the barn to access the stall with the tractor's front end loader. With wide flat straps we were able to move her and eventually she was able to stand up. Over the next ten days she was down a number of times and needed assistance to rise. Now, we're finally to the point where if she lays down she can get up without struggle. Her wounds are healing. It's been a hard few weeks. The stall door and wall have been put back up, she's enjoying turnout time with a friend. She can walk. She can run. She's gotten quite friendly. A wee bit apprehensive but reaching out. She will probably always bear the scars of her injury but she will be fine. She'll get past her emotional scars of whatever has happened to her in the past that made her distrust people in the first place. She's young, smart and getting stronger by the day, She will be fine with time. This is Brandy's story. It's just one of the early chapters with many more to come. All horses have a story to tell, especially rescue horses....it's just a matter of getting some one to listen.
UPDATE 6-22-2013: Today marks four weeks since Brandy's injury. Most of her most severe wounds were on her rear legs from thigh to hoof. Now most of them are healing nicely. She's feeling fine and has no mobility issues. It's been a long haul but step by step we're getting there. Brandy's vet bills plus medications have been an additional unexpected expense. A one time donation toward her expenses would be very welcome or if you are able please become a sponsor for Brandy by committing to send a monthly donation to help provide for her care. Thank YOU.
We got her all settled in at the ranch and kept her as comfortable as possible. We treated her wounds 2-3 times a day and watched as she grew stronger. By the 4th day home, we were feeling better about her situation until the next morning at breakfast when we found her down in the stall. She could not get up. After receiving some pain meds she tried to get up but still could not get to her feet. We removed the stall door and all the wood off the side of the barn to access the stall with the tractor's front end loader. With wide flat straps we were able to move her and eventually she was able to stand up. Over the next ten days she was down a number of times and needed assistance to rise. Now, we're finally to the point where if she lays down she can get up without struggle. Her wounds are healing. It's been a hard few weeks. The stall door and wall have been put back up, she's enjoying turnout time with a friend. She can walk. She can run. She's gotten quite friendly. A wee bit apprehensive but reaching out. She will probably always bear the scars of her injury but she will be fine. She'll get past her emotional scars of whatever has happened to her in the past that made her distrust people in the first place. She's young, smart and getting stronger by the day, She will be fine with time. This is Brandy's story. It's just one of the early chapters with many more to come. All horses have a story to tell, especially rescue horses....it's just a matter of getting some one to listen.
UPDATE 6-22-2013: Today marks four weeks since Brandy's injury. Most of her most severe wounds were on her rear legs from thigh to hoof. Now most of them are healing nicely. She's feeling fine and has no mobility issues. It's been a long haul but step by step we're getting there. Brandy's vet bills plus medications have been an additional unexpected expense. A one time donation toward her expenses would be very welcome or if you are able please become a sponsor for Brandy by committing to send a monthly donation to help provide for her care. Thank YOU.
Brandy at the vet clinic the day of her injury Saturday 5-25-2013
RSS Feed