Sick Foal

Prissy's colt has had diarrhea for 2 days. We have been treating it with Bio Sponge but last night and this morning he was very lethargic and obviously dehydrated. As soon as the vet clinic was open I placed a call to see if we could bring him in for IV fluids. Dr. Pallen is in New York for a family emergancy and Dr. Hoerr was in court testifying about the horse that was shot and killed in Goodfield. I had Israel today and Emily had to be at class by 1:00 for her nursing orientation. Chris, the receptionist could only tell me they would try to fit him in sometime in the afternoon. Everyone out here was gone for the day so I was pretty sure somehow Israel would have to come with me for this trip to the vet. At 10:00 am Chris called to say Dr. Hoerr was on his way back, by 10:06 we had Prissy and her colt loaded and Emily was on the way. Thank goodness there was time for her to get him there, treat him and bring him home before she had to leave. That left Israel and I time to play outside. It was still kind of chilly out so the pj's were left on the child. He discovered the new big wheels I found at a garage sale yesterday.

 Emily arrived back at 12:30 pm I unloaded and she ran in to change for her class. The colt was put on IV's and needed two 2 liter bags. The IV was left in and his neck wrapped and 6 more IV bags were brought home. His IV needs to be flushed 4 times a day and the fluids given when needed.  Karin arrived late afternoon, the day was nice, sunny and warm so Israel and I joined her to watch her work horses. The first mare out was Lola.

 Israel had to pay attention to Studly who patiently waits for Karin where ever she goes. 

 He discovered the flags marking out the new round pen.

 Then discovered the chain on the big heavy gate. He was sure that was for pulling the gate around but just couldn't budge it.

 Each time Israel comes over he gets to help grandma feed with his own bucket. He was pretty thrilled to find 'his' bucket out by the arena. 

 Until he discovered the manure fork. That tool is even more fun than feeding horses. 

 He was trying hard to use it just like grandma does.

 Karin brought the tarp out for Lola but remarked, "who ever trained her must have already introduced her to the tarp." She wore it for a while and was willing to walk over it with no problem.

Right about that time Stephanie called to say she was leaving work. Israel needed to be changed and clean clothes put on before we could head in to the shop. If I would have taken him the way he looked after working outside all day she would probably remind me about child labor laws. Karin worked Piper, Oksana and Rosalie later. Hopefully I can get some new pictures of Rosalie, she is huge. 

This evening Mark helped move in a new round bale for the mares here to be bred. Prissy and her colt were checked. He was not as lively as I would have wanted to see him act so was given another bag of fluids. He is nursing well now so should make a complete recovery. The mares that needed to come in for the night were way across the pond up on the hill so the golf cart was used to bring them in. What a handy tool that is around here. They are all snug in their stalls with the foaling camera on. 

I'll be heading back up to the barn soon, do a final foal check and make sure all the buckets are all filled. Sheena is a bit restless tonight but neither mare were bagged up and waxing.