Oh No, a Colic !

Life or Death 

A horse colicing is very serious.  That is how my first horse died.  While out with Erika, she received a phone call from a client and it was an emergency.  We went and the ladies horse was colicky.  The gelding was laying down and couldn't get up.  It's s ever case of bloating and the horse gets really bad cramps.  They lay down and don't want to get up.  If they don't get up, their intestine can twist and it becomes very serious.  They get heavy breathing and are very uncomfortable.  Erika administered the horse some bute and ace to calm the horses stomach and stop the convulsions.  Shortly after the horse was able to get up, but the owner had to stay with the horse for a few hours to make sure it doesn't come back.  A horse can colic for many reasons.  My first horse colic'ed and wouldn't get up. By the time the vet got there, it was too late and his intestine had already twisted.  There is a surgery to help but it costs ten thousand dollars and had a very slim chance or recovery or it even working.  I do love my horse but it was just an extreme amount of money for a slim chance of survival.  

I LOVE HORSES

10 Years 

I have been riding for ten years.  There is no doubt in my mind that I know a lot more about horses than the average person.  When I go to the barns with Erika it's like visiting a candy shop.  I get to see so many different horses and all their personalities.  I love helping them and couldn't imagine doing anything else in the world.  Erika is also so gentle with the horses; I get along with her very well.  I am yet to see or do something very exciting, but I still love going around with her.

How Old Is a Horse?

30 Year Life Span!

A horse is a major commitment! They can live up to 30 and sometimes even 40 years ! If you plan on getting horse, you better be dedicated because you will have them for a while.  The first five or six years are the prime years of a horses life.  During the years it's important to get in the major training to their career.  Although, for race horses there is a very different process.  Their prime is the first few years.  Most often horses are raced when they are around three and hardly race past the age of six.  You can tell a horses age by looking at the their teeth.  Yes it's true, the longer the teeth the older they are.  Although some horses ( like mine ) have a bad habit of "cribbing" and grind down their teeth.  Then, you must rely on their birth papers to know their age.  

The Horse Knows You

After going with Erika a few times, I've realized it's beneficial to have the owner there with you.  The horse knows abd trusts it's owner.   Th horse is much more cooperative and well-behaved having someone they can trust there.  How do you feel having someone you don't know poke at you when you don't even know what they're doing? I know I would be scared and try to get away! Horses are very intelligent.

"Money Bags"

Horses are Expensive

Speaking as a horse owner, horses are money guzzling animal's.  They can cost a fortune and burn a hole right through your pocket.  Stable fees, training fees, vet bills, showes... it all adds up! The more you take care of your horse every day, the less they will cost you at the vet.  They obviously needs monthly wormers and vitamins etc, but injuries are what really cost you.  A cut can require a treatment of an ointment that easily costs 200 dollars.  A shot can vary in price and requires a fee for administering the shot.  Luckily, I know how to give my horse a shot on my own.  I administer 10 cc's of Progesterone to my horse monthly.  It raises her levels of estrogen an dlowers her levels of testosterone.  She is a wild one and needs to be calmed down.  

The Horses Leg

Can you say fragile?

There is nothing more to worry about a horse than their legs.  If one is broken, there is almost no hope.  A horse can not sustain it's weight on three legs, and the recovery time is way too long and way too painul to put a horse through.  Erika had to put a horse down today that had shattered his radial hip bone.  There was no hope... She had been in the practice for years and it still hurts her to put a horse down.  I don't know if I'm going to be able to do it.  I love animals so much.  It hurts me so much to see an animal in pain or have to put one down myself.  But in the end I will know that whatever I do was the choice to help the horse.  Sometimes you have to put the horse out of it's misery.  It stinks.

Horse Trail Ride

The Wear and Tear

Trail rides can be very extraneous for some horses.  There are a few things you must always keep in mind when taking your horse on a trail ride.  Its very important to ensure that your horse will feel comfortable on the trail you will be going on.  Make sure the weather is going to be nice before setting out on a long ride away from home.  More sure your horse has had water and will have water along the ride.  They get dehydrated too.  Equip them with a saddle, a bridle that enables you with maximum control, and wrap their legs.  A horse legs are very important to keep safe. If they hurt their leg, many issues can follow.  Wrap them in safety boots or een just polos.  Make sure to check their hooves after walking over a rocky path.  If a rock were to get stuck in their hoof it could cause the horse to become lame or get an absess.  Both of the above are no fun.  Always take good care of your horse.

Racing vs Show Jumping vs Trail Riding

What do you think about when you think of horses?

The main first two thoughts are racing and trail riding.  Many people have been on a trail ride or seen a horse race, but show jumping is not as well known.  In fact, it is a big part of horses.  They even have an Olympiv Show team.

I bet you didn't know horses were this athletic! And this isn't even the best.

How many breeds are there?

HUNDREDS!

There are hundreds of horse breeds all over the world!

List of Horse Breeds

You can check out the list yourself.  My favorite two are Quarter Horses and Oldenburgs.  They are two completely different types of horses.  The Quarter Horse is a breed that is typically seen in Western riding or in the field.  The Oldenburg has more of a framed form and are based on their beauty and structure.  I have had both of these horses.  My first horse Oliver was a Quarter Horse and passed away.  I now have an Oldenburg and she is beautiful. Many people ride the Oldenburg in dressage but I ride her in jumpers.

Shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots!

Can you give a shot?!

I feel like I went into this project with a little bit of a head start.  I already know how to administer some shots, treat wounds, apply ointments, and diagnose an injury.  This definitely made me feel more comfortable in shadowing my horses vet.  Although, today I learned how to administer a new shot, Penicillin.  It is usually used to treat bacterial infections.  It is a very thick serum and is not administered like a normal shot.  A horse had cut her leg and gotten a bad infection and it was all swollen.  Erika had to give her 30 cc's of Penicillin.  It was injected into the butt, but because it was thick you had to inject it in three different directions so it would not clump all together.  If injected in one large lump, the body could not absorb it and it would stay there. That was very interetsing to me.  Normally shots are given in the horses neck.  There is a "V" in the muscles and it is administered in the middle of that V.  You always must be careful not to hit a vein or artery.  You always pull back to make sure you are not in a vein before you push the shot in.

Is This What I Want?

After spending some time with an actualy vet, iv'e realized there isn't anything else in the world I would rather be doing.  I felt like a natural when I was assisting Erika with the horses.  I already know how to give them shots, administer an IV, and treat mutliple wounds or injuries.  It's just a matter of doing it every day that I need to see if I like.  I went to Calder again and am hoping to go to some barns soon.  I learned how to treat an absessed hoof today.  My horse has never had one because I treat her hoof with an antifungal medication and am always checking to make sure they are not cracked. In Florida, it's very easy for them to crack in the heat so you need to keep them moist with a polish.  It's also very rainy so you have to make sure there is no fungus in the frog(middle) of their hood. I love horses.