Day 23

Here are some wound pictures from today!

This is the left leg.  As you can see, it is much cleaner now, and a lot of the crusty scabs on the surface are gone.  I have a feeling that big green strip in the middle will slough off soon.  (It is green because of the ointment I am applying).  That part feels like a very big scab.  The pink parts were moister yesterday after I got the top layer of goo off.  Today they look a lot more dried up.  How do you like all of my technical terminology?  I don't need to impress anyone with big words, right?  Just let me know if you object!  :)

Look how the skin around it is puckering...

The right leg is in much better shape.  It has a lot smoother surface, and you can see all of the new skin trying to grow in from the sides.  I can tell that flexibility is always going to be an issue in these legs.  He is very reluctant to bend when I lift up his feet.  Instead he lifts the leg up to the side like a dog hiking his leg.  It seems to work for both of us, so I just pick the feet out at this angle.  It is actually easier because he can hold it pretty high!  (Is this ok, Gail, or am I letting him get away with a bad habit??)  He does it very softly as if to say, "I am trying to lift my leg up for you, but it just doesn't bend that way.  Is this ok instead?"

Today we worked on squeeze game in the best way I could find:  I moved Alicia's horse Mac out of the neighboring lot and opened up the gate to the round-pen (with the halter on Doc, of course).  I walked out first and tried to simply lead him through, but it wasn't so easy for him.  The gate has a top and bottom bar, so he has to step over one thing and under another, as well as go through a small opening.  It didn't take long to be able to send him through that opening.  Coming back in was a little more difficult.  We had been enjoying a stroll in a little bit bigger area than where he is living, so we had fun discovering new things together.  He never once pulled on the halter.  However, when it came time to go back into the round-pen, the gate opening had become a lot more scary.  Despite his nervousness, he never once got rude or tried to pull away from me.  I let him move away when he wanted to, but I never let him turn his backside to me.  Any time he would try, I just had to do a tiny tap on the rump to turn him back around.  What a good boy!

He is going to get a couple of days' rest from me because of my work and lesson schedule. They say you should work for 5 days, then take 2 off, so maybe this time off is a good thing.  I will write again when I have something to tell you!

Until next time,

Jackie

Day 22

Doc and I had a great afternoon together.  It is fun to think back to just a few weeks ago when we couldn't even get near enough to touch him.  Now I can walk right up to him from any direction and start petting him wherever I want.  He has really grown to trust me in the past week, or so.  It didn't take me more than a minute to get the halter on him today.  He bobbed up and down a little when I tried to put the top of the halter behind his ears, but quickly settled down and allowed me to tie it.

For those of you Parelli-ites, I started playing the seven games with him.  So far, we have succeeded (even if only slightly) in the "Friendly" game, "Porcupine" game, "Driving" game, "Yo-yo" game, "Circling" game, and even a tiny bit of "Squeeze" game.  The only thing we are missing is "Sideways", but I am not in a hurry for that one yet.  Gail says it's time to play lots of squeeze game to help trailer loading go smoothly, so that is what we are going to do tomorrow.  Thanks Gail!

Wound update:  I used a towel to gently rub off all of the "goo" from yesterday's application.  It was really amazing!  All of the scabs came off easily, and now we have a little fresh tissue peeking through.  They actually looked almost clean!  I re-applied the magic goo, and will repeat the process tomorrow.  I am sorry, I forgot the camera today, but I promise to take photos for you tomorrow.

Thank you again for all of your love and support!
Jackie

Day 21

Look who's halter broken!!!   :)

We picked up almost exactly where we left off yesterday.  Doc didn't mind the halter being slipped over his nose, especially when he got a treat after I put it on.  We worked our way slowly up and down the nose until he allowed me to put the top of the halter over his head.  After doing that a few times, I gave him a treat and tied it.  He offered no resistance at any point.  After tying it, I just pretended like the rope wasn't there.  I had a 22-foot line, just in case he wanted to run, but I didn't even need 2 feet.  As soon as I started backing away from him, he followed, and very quickly I was walking around with my back to him, and he was following wherever I went.  Twice, he offered to turn away from me, but because we had this technique down so well before I put the halter on, I just used it again.  I backed away from his head, and walked toward his butt until he turned back towards me and followed again.  I used a slight amount of pressure on the halter (about 1 ounce did the trick) to turn him in any direction I wanted.  In combination with my body language, he understood perfectly.  What a good boy!!!   :)

He loves Mac...

I also brushed his whole body with a soft brush, picked out his two front feet (these are both firsts too!), and treated his wounds today.  He was so tolerant of everything, and never tried to leave me during any of these procedures.  He did say he would like to brush his own teeth, thank you very much...

Auntie Jennifer bought him a hay net!  Thank you Jen!!  (He loves it!)

Sweet horsey dreams to all!! 

Jackie

Day 20

Our boy has shelter!!!  Thank you Dave!!

Today I hung out with Doc for about an hour.  I brought a cookie bag in with me, and he was very curious about it.  It turns out, he likes butterscotch cookies!  Hooray!

He is now extremely willing to follow me wherever I go (whether I have cookies or not).  I was able to slip the halter on his nose several times.  At this point, I figure a little bribery doesn't hurt, so I gave him a cookie each time he put his nose through it.  I looped it over his head an gave him a cookie, then asked him to move towards me with a little pressure on the halter.  All went well!  Tomorrow might be the day we actually tie it and start asking him to follow us...  I'll let you know how it goes!


Alicia's horse, Mac, is now living on the outside of the round-pen.  Doc really likes Mac, and even does baby chomping noises to him.  It is very cute, and Mac is a good daddy!

Day 16 - Brent Graef

This is actually a continuation of Day 13...
Later in the day on Thursday, we had a lucky opportunity to watch a great horseman, Brent Graef, halter break a 6-month old filly at Cottonwood Creek Equestrian Center.  It was awesome to watch his horsemanship skills, and watch the relationship develop between him and that filly.  She went from a skittish little baby, to a calm and eager to please grown-up in just 2 hours!  Gail, the best teacher in the world, gave us two weeks to accomplish the same thing, AND have him loading in the trailer!  She really knows how to motivate me and get me working, doesn't she?

Brent Graef and "Cinnamon Twist"

Doc is now letting me touch all over his wounds.  I have officially started treating the wounds with the ointments that Dr. Jen sent home for him...



This photo was taken on Thursday.  I am now able to smear the goo all over the wounds.  He even lifts his leg up in pleasure when I am picking at them!  I guess they itch.

He is enjoying his dangling milk jug.  I think it has become his pasture buddy! 

Yesterday (Oct. 23), we had some heavy wind and rains.  It was an awful day and night for Doc.  He was so cold that Alicia and I went out in the storm to tie some tarps around the sides of his pen, just to create a wind-break for him.  Our #1 priority is to purchase some sort of shelter to cover part of the round-pen for him.  We normally blanket our horses, but obviously, Doc isn't quite at the point where he will accept a giant blanket being tied to his body.  That will be another thing we can work on!

Until next time,
Jackie

Day 13

We just got home from a visit to Dr. Jen Powers (for another horse), and she gave us some ointments to start applying to Doc's wounds. When we got home, I went out there with one of the jars and left it open on the chair so he could smell it while I rubbed him all over.  He doesn't mind me touching the wounds yet, and I was able to apply a tiny amount to one leg, and pick some of the scabs off.  We left it at that for now.  Maybe I'll do a little more later, but don't want to push this part too hard.  I want him to enjoy his doctoring sessions (or at least tolerate them well), so it will be important to take it slow and easy.  No pain right now.

Many of you have asked how you might be able to help.  Thank you so much!!  We set up a rescue fund at Dr. Powers' place for him under Alicia (Mosher's) account.  If you want to make any donations, just tell them it is for "Huckleberry", and the money will be kept aside just for him.  Cash or checks can be sent to:

Above and Beyond Animal Care
22294 Spyder Lane
Palo Cedro, CA  96073
(530)524-7044

I also have a rescue fund set up at the veterinary clinic that I work at.  (We are small animals only, but I will be purchasing supplies for him through here).  That fund is set up under my name (Jackie Loverde) 
Acct. #63933.  Huckleberry is the only patient in that account, so everything will go directly to him.  We can take any form of payment - credit cards over the phone work too.

VCA Asher Animal Hospital
2505 Hilltop Drive
Redding, CA  96002
(530)224-2200

Every little bit helps.  As I said before, we have lots of love in our hearts, but not a lot of money in our pockets.  Thank you!!!!!!!

Jackie

Day 12

Our boy is back! 
I started back at the beginning with him, thanks to Gail Bloxham (the best teacher I have ever had), for her advise!  I went out and sat in the chair and ignored him.  It took less than a minute for him to come over and start nuzzling around for scratches.  The top of my head, and my entire back have been thoroughly massaged.  We shared lots of breaths, and I told him I was sorry for pushing him so hard.  He forgave me by presenting me with his groin (hiked leg and all) for itching.  He enjoyed showing me about all of the toys that Alicia has placed in his pen.  He didn't particularly like the way I thought the tarp should lay on the ground, but he wasn't quite brave enough to move it back to where he had left it.  He must have pawed at it earlier because it was all twisted up like a rope.  He also liked the Jolly Ball, and his favorite toy is the milk jug hanging from the tree.  He likes to rub his head and face on that. 
Tomorrow will be a day for a little more progress, but only in short sessions.  T.G.I.F.!!!!   (It's my Friday, anyway!)  I can't wait to see what the next two days hold for us!

Jackie

Thank you for your patience!  We have been giving Doc a couple of days off because he seemed maxed out and a little cranky with us on Sunday.  Today I plan to go out and just "hang out" with him, and see if he wants to come to me again.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Jackie

Day 9

The boy is full of worms!  Any magic tips on mixing a horses' wormer in his feed?  We will work on worming with a syringe full of applesauce, but for now, we need to get rid of these parasites ASAP!

Ok, now clear your head of that nasty image...



(Yes, he has warts... they will go away eventually)

And smile! 



Awwww!

Day 8

I know you are going to get tired of reading this, but what a great day!!

Alicia and I each had some solo time with Doc, and we also did a little as a pair.  We decided that he would be having to deal with each of us individually, and as a team to get those legs healed, so we may as well start now.  We both need to have a strong leadership role with him.  That has shown to be a bit confusing to the herd animal who is used to having one leader.  So we started working closer together, and basically doing things in tandum, only pushing the separation times as far as he could tolerate.  Of course, those times got longer and longer, with increasing distance.  What a smart boy!

I'll let Alicia tell you about her time with him...   :) 

I worked on rubbing him all over, both with a bare hand, and with the rope.  Eventually, I was able to rub down the back legs... all the way to the hoof!  I also picked up a front leg (with purpose), and he let me hold on to the foot and put it down on my terms.  We did some "follow me" games with him following the feel of the rope around his neck.  Eventually, we got the halter slipped on, and him following the feel of me moving his head towards me by the halter (untied).  So far, he is extremely soft.  We definitely want to keep it slow and not lose that feel!

:)  Jackie

Day 7

Nuff said?
:)

Day 6

Alicia's day:

This morning Doc greeted me with a soft nicker and met me at the gate of his round pen for breakfast. He happily gobbled up his snacky smores. Once he was about finished I entered his pen, took up my usual spot in the chair and he immediately came over to say, "Hi, whatcha doing?"

   

We shared some time scratching each other from the chair, I stood up and continued rubbing with hands and rope. I walked away just before he seemed to be bored with the whole situation, and so he followed. I just ignored him and walked around his pen swinging my rope here and there, being careful to make sure my energy said, "no worries, no need to leave" … he was unconcerned and went to eating his hay.

 

I left the pen for a bit to check on Lady Horse's scrapes, (she ran into some bushes and trees, crazy ol' gal!) When I returned Doc again met me at the gate. I came in and softly rubbed his face and chest. While rubbing the rope halter on his face I was able to slowly put it over his nose, rub, rub, and rub. We did this about 6 times before I walked away, wondering around the pen, swinging my rope rhythmically, as he followed. He prefers to keep you in his left eye, so I spent more time on his right side. Before I left I was able to slide the halter over his nose from both sides… (Teehee! I leave that pen grinning from ear to ear every time!)

 

Jackie's day:

Today is Thursday (afternoon), and I just got home from spending 2 1/2 hours with him.  I just can't tell you how much fun this opportunity has been for me!  I am working slowly, patiently, and clearly with Doc.  We have come a long way again.  By the end of the session, I was able to walk right up to him and scratch his withers.  He also enjoyed me scratching his back and all the way around his belly!  As usual, he was curious, and wanted to investigate every new object that was presented to him.  He let me rub him along the side of his face, and down one side of his neck with the halter and lead-rope.  Alicia tells me that she got the halter on him this morning!  I'll let her tell you that story.

 

Here's what he looked like after our mutual grooming session...

 

Thank you everyone for your support and advice!

Today's leg shots:

Left Hind

Right Hind

 

 

 

Day 5

Alicia told me to write tonight's blog since I spent a lot of time with "Doc" (or whatever he eventually tells us his name is). I finally got a chance to spend some time with him after work today. I couldn't believe how much progress he and Alicia have made already. As soon as I went in the pen with him, he turned to watch me come in. I could hardly get the chair set up, and myself sat down before his head was in my lap wanting to be scratched. He still has no idea what to do with cookies (but I can fix that!); he just loved to have all the itchy spots scratched on his head, neck, withers, and chest. He even loves to have his ears itched!

 
 

I spent a lot of time reading and ignoring him mixed with periods of good quality itching and scratching (some of which was reciprocated on the top of my head! ). I went out and came back with the carrot stick and a lead rope. I sat back down and let him investigate the stick… it turns out he thinks "carrot sticks" are actually carrots, and he likes the taste of them. In a short time, I was scratching him with the stick over his entire body. I didn't even try to touch the back legs or groin area, but everywhere else was fair game. He really seemed to enjoy it, and even asked for more several times. By the end of our session, I was able to walk around the pen and have him follow me from point to point. I certainly plan to go back tomorrow!

 
 

I can't thank Alicia enough for taking notice of a horse that so many people could have turned a blind eye to. He is an amazing, kind soul, and he deserves to have a much better start than he did for the first 15 months of his life. I can't wait to see what the next days, months, and years have in store for him!

 
 

~Jackie

Day 4

Tuesday, and Doc has decided that snacky smores are actually pretty great!

 
He is progressing nicely, I'm assuming since I've never halter broke a horse!

 
Today he allowed me to rub (with hand and rope) all over his face, neck, mane, front legs, and withers. A neighbor came over and he sniffed her through the fence… she commented on his kind eye.

 
We have a long road ahead (and I shake in my boots when I think of the vet bills to come...)… but it's gonna be a great ride.

Day 3

Monday, today I've spent about an hour and a half total (in 3 different sessions) sitting inside the round pen with Huckleberry… Note: Doc is fast becoming a better name; at least it's easier to say.
 
From across the fence, Rolex continues to remind him that he is the Man in Charge, thank goodness his testicles are long since gone!

I was happy to see the swelling had gone down below the hocks quite a bit in the left hind, and only some in the right hind. It's evident the right hind received more injury than the left, as shown by the scarring just below his pastern. Both hocks remain swollen.
 
This morning he mostly ignored me, scared himself by knocking the chair over, but came right back to investigate it some more… curiosity, love it! He wasn't too impressed with his snacky smores, but in time I know he'll learn to love 'em, they always do.

This afternoon he came and set his head in my lap, while I sat in the chair he allowed me to touch him softly all over his head and face with my hands and my rope, down his neck, and even scratch his chest. The scratching was reciprocated on top of my head with his muzzle, a wonderful time we shared. His eye is kind and gentle.
 
Hopefully this is a good sign that halter breaking will come easily, along with handling those legs. Makes no sense to have the proud flesh removed until we can safely bandage those legs… he should be a pro at leg wrapping by the time he's healed up. Note: probably not a bad idea to purchase stock in vet wrap at this point!

I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow... in the meantime I posted a couple on Facebook.

Day 2

Sunday morning Huckleberry was let out into his round pen, which is set inside hot wire, just in case… the world does NOT need any more horses right now!
 
Huckleberry cautiously checked out his surroundings and then went to eating hay. It was the first time I really got a good look at the injuries to his hind legs…yuck city. Apparently about a year ago he got caught in a fence, the resulting injuries were never treated, and so proud flesh has taken over. He has had these injuries for a year and received zero treatment. What is wrong with people? The flies and even the meat bees are thrilled with the fleshy bloody oozy mess. There is a lot of swelling in both hinds; his hooves are a wreck, almost clubby in the hinds.
 
He moves out well, even bucks and kicks; pretty floating trot, so I'm hopefully the damage is repairable.

Rolex was quick to let Huckleberry know this was his herd, and not to forget it… he keeps an eye on him from across the fence, throwing his head and staring him down from time to time.

After I came home from trimming horses I spent some time just sitting in a chair in the round pen with him. He smelled me some, but mostly kept his distance. I was careful not to pressure him, we shared a few breaths together and since I figured I'd gotten more than I asked for it was time to leave.

Sunday evening the famous Jackie Hero to All Black and White Paint Horses and Magical Wound Healer came over to meet our newest addition. She sat quietly outside the round pen; he was very interested in her. She tried to offer him a cookie, but he doesn't seem to know what to do with 'em.

Day 1

Saturday - 10/9/10 - Huckleberry Diamond, born May 10, 2009, came home this afternoon thanks to a dear friend. As usual I was unprepared … (I'd thought he was already gelded!) …and so he spent the night in the horse trailer. Not the greatest idea but wasn't much of a change for him considering where he came from.
 
He sucked down water and munched on hay for the night.