In early November 2009, a long-time client of Rob's asked MHR to take in her two mares, Candy and Katie. She is no longer able to care for them due to economic circumstances. This wonderful lady is doing what is right for her animals and has donated corral panels to MHR.
Katie - thin 18 - Sorrel ..A medical stall will be built for her. She has been fed grass hay only, but that's not good enough. Dr. Hadland has seen her and prescribed things for her which her owner hasn't been able to afford, hence the surrender to MHR.
This is how Kate looked when she first arrived:
Katie needs lots and lots of food. Dr. Hadland confirmed that he had seen Katie this year a couple of times, for teeth and shots. However, when the former owner could no longer afford to provide the supplements and Katie was only receiving grass hay she really began dropping weight. She is on the special diet that our Faith was on and what our Charming Charity is on. Rice Bran, Sr. Equine, Alfalfa morning and night and grain hay (free feed). She has a slight heart murmur, but he said this could be due to her body condition. He will run a panel on her in a couple of months when weight has been gained.
Update January 2010
This is Katie now, after enjoying a nice roll in the mud. She may be muddy, but she looks much better than she did when she first arrived!
Update February 2010
The following videos are of the exam that Katie underwent today 2/2/2010 for Chronic Laminitis/Founder. Xrays were taken of her hooves and we are awaiting the results. We should know by this evening what the status of her coffin bones are. This is not Katie's first encounter with this as Dr. Hadland has seen her twice before when she was with her former owner for similar issues as well as weight loss. He did state that she is at optimum weight and wants this maintained.
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc166/Miraclehorserescue01/?action=view¤t=003-8.flv
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc166/Miraclehorserescue01/?action=view¤t=004-10.flv
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc166/Miraclehorserescue01/?action=view¤t=005-7.flv
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc166/Miraclehorserescue01/?action=view¤t=006-6.flv
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc166/Miraclehorserescue01/?action=view¤t=007-5.flv
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc166/Miraclehorserescue01/?action=view¤t=008-7.flv
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc166/Miraclehorserescue01/?action=view¤t=009-6.fl
The average sole depth of a horse should be a 12, Katie only has a 5 . There is very little remodeling of the coffin bone (excellent). The following is the procedures as prescribed by Dr. Hadland that will conducted on Katie for her road to recovery.
1. NO Alfalfa..GRASS HAY ONLY
2. Rice Bran..to maintain her weight
3. 14 days 2 x per day soaking in Epson Salts and Betadyne. This will cause the abcesses she does have to be drawn out. No sole will be removed from her feet.
4. She will have her toes cut back, which will cause a quick breakover, keeping the pressure off her toes.
5. Shoes will be put on, no pads.
She has this in both front feet. She will be given bute in moderation to keep her comfortable, but Dr. Hadland stated that continous use of bute can be a source for other problems. She should recover nicely in a six month period, but he says she must toughen her soles up.
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Update February 3, 2010
I wanted to let you know that we ran into Dr. Hadland this afternoon. What was going to be a short a conversation went into a lengthy one.
I asked him today about the putting shoes on Katie. He explained the following to us both.
In December he attended a week long convention with other Equine Vets. He explained yes, her feet are sore, and initally upon putting the shoes on she will be in discomfort but it does not compromise the hoof. He wants her soles up off the ground. He also stated that each vet has his/her own opinions and the study of Laminitis and its effects on the hoof over the last three years has been very helpful in the individual vet's treatment of said issues.
So since this is his prescribed treatment, then we are going to follow his directions. Additionally, since this is one of the primary things that was discussed during the convention, Dr. Hadland has gladly accepted the opportunity to allow us to video him discussing laminitis its effects and his methods of treatment dependent upon the severity to share with all of you.
Update March 2010
Katie is doing great! She is now bucking, which of course requires a lot of pressure on her front feet to lift the rear. She has become used to the grass hay. Bright is with her and this is quite comical, as Bright despises the grass hay but does eventually walk over and begin eating. It is almost as if she is saying, what me eat that stuff, no way.
Update June 2010
Although Katie is maintaining her weight, we still struggle with her feet.
Update July 29, 2010
With a very heavy heart, MHR announces that Katie, who alerted us to Electra's birth, received her heavenly wings at 11:24 am pahrump time. Dr H was there as well Steph and Rob. In her final moments at MHR, Katie looked at Electra for a very special goodbye.
When Katie arrived she was thin and her feet in bad shape. We had x-rays done, there was hope, but after 7 months and under vet care, we have lost her due to that dreaded laminitis.
There were times we saw a ray of hope and then it would be two steps back. Everything was done to keep her comfortable, and with continued hoof care it was no longer working. It was time to say goodbye. This is the part of what we do that makes it hard. But we know that Katie is no longer in pain, and she is running like the wind now. When i hear the whisper of the wind blowing through the pine trees i will think of her, when I look at Electra I will think of her. Her presence will always be with us. We as a family grieve her loss, but we must also celebrate that she is no longer in pain. She was a wonderful, kind sweet soul of a horse and deserved so much more out of her life.
She came into this world with dignity and by gosh she left with dignity and a huge family that loved her. Thank you ever so very very much, all of you rallied together as a family does and offered one another comfort. Bless you all.
Stephanie and Rob
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From a letter in an unmarked envelope on the steps of MHR.
Dear Stephine and Robert
Nevada, USA
I am typing this letter, because I don't know how to write. I made it across the Rainbow Bridge, I have seen Faith, and Muffin Man, and Marigold and dear Hagan. All are doing fine.
As I crossed the Rainbow Bridge, my pain left me, and I was able to run. For that I thank you. I am sure the god of horses and people blesses you for all you did in trying to help me.
I will watch over you, as will the others, while you do your work. Do not let the heart break of a single day stop or slow your work. Tell the others, both Horses and People, that I am fine, and I enjoyed my time with you.
Please give Electra Glide some Skritches for me and tell her to listen for me, I will help guide her as will her mother.
And Stephine and Robert, listen for me I will try and help when I can, there is more work to do, my freedom to run with the herd is a blessing but being with caring and loving peoples is a blessing also.
I will talk to the other horses here and we will send some flowers and grass for the new pastures you plan, the feel of grass under hoof is a blessing the others at the Ranch will love.
I will end now, there is talk here of visiting a new pasture, and I will love to run their with the herd.
If I get a chance I will send some post cards or pictures.
Love
Katie
