Colt heard my voice and tried so hard to turnand look at me!!! Made my heart jump!
Colt looks confused...but I'm not!Leigh (the buyer) and I talked for quite a while before parting ways, and we are both happy for the experience...her for really coming to terms with what type of horse she needs for herself and myself for realizing that I should have listened to my heart in the first place. The other wonderful thing about it all is that we each have a new friend and are going to see each other for the next 5 years at least! Leigh is a really great person.
But I found out some stuff about Colt that I didn't know before. I believe that he's a fairly insecure horse and because he's bonded so much with me, I've been his support when he gets uncomfortable (and I didn't even notice it). Without me in the new environment at Leigh's place, and Leigh not taking a strong leadership role in his life, he was coming undone. I need to work on getting his confidence up without me being the crutch...if that's even possible. I've never had to deal with something like that before.
Colt sniffed noses with his buds and whenright to grazing...just like he'd never been gone.
And he trotted up and downthe fence line a couple of times.
Leigh did take Colt to the vet on Tuesday, and he still shows signs of lameness in the left hock. What he's doing is not tracking straight with his left hind. He tracks straight with his right, and as the left comes forward, he places it slightly inside...so, he really is only showing signs of a possible lameness, and after discussion with Leigh, the vet mentioned to her that it is possible that it's just the way he moves! But, I decided (after a phone consultation with the vet) to give him 2 doses of Adaquan 1 week apart and have him tested again in two weeks. He can be turned out, just not too much hard running around and I can light ride him...long trot and such. We'll see how he is at that point. Healing thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.
After a bite of lunch, I went out to check on everyone and brought Colt into the barn for a lil' therapy...therapy for me that is...
He smells the same...his nose smells better thanall the other horses we have...it's my
aftershave of choice!
I looked deep into his soft, loving eyes andtold him not to worry...we had lots of things
to accomplish in the future...together.
I gave him one last hug and put him to bed.And this morning...
Colt hasn't a care in the world...Thank you all for your comments...it really did help me think about what it is that I want and what is best for Colt...blogger friends are the Greatest!!!
That is so great ! I got my forever horse " back" too. thats a long story, but the same none the less.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he got a hitch in his get along and it just needs some time to work itself out, now that is is back at home and calm, he may heal right up!
I'm glad to see the Coltster is home where he belongs. You two have a bonding that makes my heart glow..:-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know that he's home with you again. I wouldn't worry about the possible hock issue yet - see how he feels in a while. His attachment to you, and his feeling secure when you are around, is a good thing - it's probably a step he needs to take as he develops his own internal feeling of security - he may need to "borrow" from you for a while - he's still very young - I wouldn't worry too much about that either - it's a little like a child growing up - they will be independent, but you can't force the pace. I guess what I'm saying is don't worry (about anything)!
ReplyDeleteI am glad Colt is home Karin, now you can start your new chapter!
ReplyDeleteI love happy endings. You're positively beaming in that photo standing next to him.
ReplyDeleteColt is such a handsome guy! Welcome back Colt.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home Colt! He looks so happy being back! I am so glad that he is back in your life, this is the place he should be at!
ReplyDeleteOh Karen, I'm feeling so much better knowing that Colt is back home...I can only imagine how much better you are feeling. :)
ReplyDeleteJust curious, was his way of walking the only possible sign of "lameness"? Or, did he test positive to the flexion test in that hock?? What did the rads show?
As far as being insecure...remember that your guy's still a pup. He's got a lot more time to grow up and mature...most of us mature physically long before the mental capacity catches up. No worries, he'll come along.
Nice to know that moms always fret...
"What he's doing is not tracking straight with his left hind. He tracks straight with his right, and as the left comes forward, he places it slightly inside."
ReplyDeleteI know what he needs! I am an equine massage therapist, I see more horses than not that don't track strait. You need to get an equine chiropractor out. Most times horses playing in their paddocks can pull muscles and things out of joint. If it goes untreated by a chiropractor for too long muscle memory builds up and it can take months to fix the problem. Since only one of his hind do it it's less likely to be a conformational problem. Make sure your equine chiropractor watches him walk and trot on even ground from front and back and side. I hope this was some help, I see this exact problem all the time.
I'm so happy for you and the Coltster! I agree, he is still young and just like us humans, he needs more time to mature. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy for you that he is back home!!! He is very good looking! I think you are right, he was insecure and "lost" without you. It was just not time yet for him to move on.
ReplyDeleteI am also working as a equine massage therapist and I think Sydney might be right.
I would definately focus on finding the reason of this "not yet problem" and try to fix it before the horse develops unnatural moving patterns that might stick and cause further problems.
Getting a a good chiropractor on it right away is definately a good idea, or an Osteopath, that would be my first choice.
Osteopaths usually work "softer" and more holistically.
But whatever you decide, good luck with it.
:))
So glad that your boy is back home!!! You two were made for each other, he looks happy and so do you! :-)
ReplyDelete~Jane and Gilly~
I'm so glad you've got your baby back again!! :)
ReplyDeleteHe looks relieved to be back home with you. I'm so glad everything worked out for you guys.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I'm so glad he is back home, where I truly believe he belongs at this moment!
ReplyDeleteYes it does make you feel good and know all that work is actually paying off! I was wondering how Willis would act when someone else was riding him. Since I'm the only one that has been! Hubs took him again today along with Roo, Roo throw a front shoe, so he wasn't going to ride him unless he just had too. He called earlier and said he sorted calves, penned on him and our good friend Lynn rode him and roped a calf off him. I'm glad he is tolerating them, hubs did say he is looking for me at all times! LOL! He defintely is attached to me! Girl, if you didn't live on the other side of the world from me, we would be riding pardners! I think Colt and Willis would be great buds!
Keep up the great work with him, you all make a great team!
He's such a handsome boy! He's really filling out and maturing. I love his kind, soft eye.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about how he is so bonded to you. I think my sister's mare would have the exact same issue if she sold her to someone who wasn't overly confident. I think her mare trusts my sister and is secure with her, but with anyone else, her insecurities would come out in some issues, such as increased spookiness, etc.
Hope the hock heals up okay!
Awww...I almost don't even know what to say. This post of yours just made me get the warm fuzzies inside and made me smile HUGE. I was smiling right along with you as I felt the happiness pour out from your words. I'm so happy for you...and Colt, K.
ReplyDeleteHe's such a handsome guy and it's obvious he's chosen to give his heart to you. And he's got one BIG heart, girlfriend. You never know, but he may be your once-in-a-lifetime, worth-his-weight-in-gold kind of horse.
As for his hock, he's still young and growing (boy is he growing!) and maybe it's like the way it is with human kids.
My two pre-teens are like gangly colts..often tripping over stuff, they're so off blanace and clumsy.
But one day they'll be strong, solid, balanced men (or at least I hope so. lol!).
So give him some time to mature, and he probably be just fine. Trust your gut. You know this horse, K.
(((HUGS)))
~Lisa
Did you say lil butt? Man, he is built! I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for both of you that he's back where he belongs!
ReplyDeleteI have goose flash while I read your story with this wonderful pics from Colt. Great that you both now at home !
ReplyDelete{{hug}}
All the best
send you
Cheyenne
Oh, sooo happy for you. It feels so good when you "Just Know". It's that for sure and certain in this clearly uncertain world that sets a body right. Get all the therapy you need. I'm sure Colt doesn't mind!!
ReplyDeleteC-ingspots~I wasn't there during the exam, but I did talk with Dr on the phone. It was my interpretation that he was not actually "lame" from the flexion test, but showing signs of possible lameness. I opted not to do x-rays at this time and take the "rest and Adequan treatment" course of action for the time being.
ReplyDeleteSydney & AH ~ Thank you for your suggestions; well taken. We are in an extremely rural area in SE Oregon...one vet office in the county (10,000 square miles) and they aren't very good IMHO. So, I had to chuckle when AH mentioned Osteopath (sorry), it's like we're in the dark ages here sometimes. But, we do have qualified chiropractors and equine dentists that travel through the area, and I've made contacts with the folks in the area that use them regularly.
For serious veterinary care, I haul my horses to Nampa Idaho to Idaho Equine Hospital...they are excellent and have a staff of 7-8 vets. That's where I'll take him if it comes to that.
We do have a local chiro that does people (he fixed me right up) and horses (seems to be ok, but admits he's still learning). So that may be my first option unless someone with better qualifications is coming through.
I want to thank everyone for stopping by and for all of you who left such supportive comments...you're the best!!
I'm so glad that Colt's back! I have to tell you I was shocked when you let him go. It was always obvious from your posts how much love you have for him. He's back where he belongs!!!
ReplyDeleteHurray! I am so happy that you have got your 'boy' back and judging by the expression on your face I think you are too :) I think you and he have got a long happy future to share.
ReplyDelete