The Colt Died

The evening last night was spent watching the colt on the monitor and each time he tried to get up, running up to the barn to help but he was never able to stand again.  I continued to milk Marika and tube feed the colt all evening and all during the night but at 4:30 am he was in such bad shape he was given all of the steroids Dr. Hoerr left plus 1 cc of banamine.  The steroids were suppose to be given half this morning and half the next day UNLESS he was deteriorating and if he was deteriorating I was to give it all.  This may have lengthened his life by a few hours but didn't give much improvement.  The next two feedings he didn't struggle at all but was struggling to breath.
Dr. Hoerr diagnosed him with ARDS  acute respiratory distress syndrome.  IF I knew the future we wouldn't have spent 5 days and 5 nights every 2 hours 24 hours a day caring for him and hundreds of dollars of vet bills, but I don't know the future. The picture below is the last picture taken of him. We were so thrilled when he was able to nurse.

Marika will not be bred back. I'm too old and too tired to go through this again so this is a good time to downsize. Marika will now be for sale.  She is 15 years old, the perfect age for a family mare. After her c section in 2016 we did not breed her back so she was used as a trail horse in 2017 and was well behaved, not causing any problems at all.  She is an easy keeper, not needing grain even when nursing. Marika is priced at $8000.00 . We want a good home for her, she is a sweet mare and very well behaved. Marika is FHANA registered but also registered and DNA'D with Friesian Heritage Horse.  As far as I know she has never been tested for dwarfism or hydrocephalus but may have been through FHANA.
IF interested in Marika give me a call 309-208-3840 or email msceg@hotmail.com She is a beautiful mare and we have enjoyed owning her and want who ever buys her to also enjoy her. Below are a few pictures of her taken over the years we have owned her.

Marika has had some gorgeous foals over the years for us. Her first foal was Tatiana who was sold but we were able to acquire back at age 3. Tatiana inherited the mega hair and is 16 hands tall. 

She had 2 colts by Valiant, this one was sold to Melissa in Michigan and is going to be 4 years old this year. 

Marika could be bred back. The vets at U of I felt there was no reason why she could not have a healthy foal but like I said, I'm just too old and too tired.