All is Well That Ends Well

You have all heard that every story deserves a happy ending. Previously I had written of my adventurous mare that managed to be on the losing end of a horse “fist-fit”. Well I thought it would only be appropriate that I conclude her story with my next entry.

The surgery and recovery was not without drama. (It is of course my horse!). I learned that it is possible for a 900# horse to receive 4cc Xylazine, a 2000# dose of Ketamine/Valium, 250mL triple drip bolus, and still be awake enough to have to be gassed down with Iso before being able to be hoisted onto the surgery table. The surgery itself was relatively uneventful and the fractured splint bone fragments were successfully removed without complication. Recovery was a nail-biting experience, and her mad bolt from the recovery room into her stall netted her an additional banged up hip and a few cuts and scrapes on her legs. But the end result was she was alive, the left hind leg was still stitched up, and she only had a few bruises to her pride.

The stress of the event resulted in her breaking with diarrhea the morning after surgery. After 2 days of her receiving any and every anti-diarrheal medication available that could be shoved down her throat, her feces were normal, her attitude mildly resentful, and her body deemed ready for discharge from the hospital.

It has now been 6 weeks since surgery. She has healed up quite nicely after countless days of handwalking, bandage changes, and a few choice words here and there. She is enjoying her last week in small paddock turnout before I “brave the treacherous waters” and begin her back in a light work program.

Those who know me know that I say my horses are like a free continuous education workshop! I am happy to say the last “session” had the quintessential happy ending. So, until the next time…….class is dismissed.

Another countries perspective on horses

I recently traveled to the central mountainous region of Mexico for a family trip. In addition to the fantastic food, bucolic vistas and inspiring architecture, I was impressed with the hardiness of the equine population.

Horses and donkeys that live in the Guanajuato region of Mexico appear to be a scrappy bunch. Unlike horses here that are contained in nicely fenced pastures or paddocks, most (but not all) of the equines outside San Miguel de Allende are tethered to stakes and “leashes” to keep them on property. As we were exploring the countryside on ATVs, I was amazed at the complete lack of interest these animals had in the loud, fast, dust cloud-producing, vehicles. I couldn’t help wondering how horses back in Illinois would react to a similar stimulus.

While most of the animals appeared reasonably well cared for, it was obvious that these horses and donkeys have to have a stronger constitution that most to survive. It is easy to forget that most people in the world do not see horses, donkeys and mules as pleasure animals or pets, but rather a means to survive and work the land.

Vaccinations-Risk or Reward?

Equine vaccinations and other preventive medicine present a classic risk-reward scenario. Post vaccination reactions vary from nothing to soreness and swelling at the vaccination site accompanied by a fever and in a few cases, a severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction. Obviously the post vaccination reactions are undesirable and often dangerous. So why vaccinate? First the incidence of severe reactions is rare; 90+% of vaccinates show little if any after effects. A few horses have some transient swelling and a light fever; this is the most common adverse reaction. Severe anaphylactic allergic reactions are very rare. Second the diseases that one vaccinates for are much worse than any adverse reaction to a vaccine. Anyone who has witnessed a non-vaccinate with tetanus, WNV, EEE, WEE, rabies, or severe influenza or rhinopneumonitis has no doubt as to the benefits of vaccinating against these diseases. The vaccines have become a victim of their own success. They have reduced the incidence of some of these dread diseases to the point where many younger people have never seen them and often they associate vaccinations only with the rare side effects of the vaccine rather than the prevention of the targeted diseases. It’s a classic risk-reward; vaccinate and risk a small chance of adverse reaction (a minor risk); don’t vaccinate and risk contracting a deadly disease (a huge risk). Obviously the risk of vaccination is very small while the risk of not vaccinating can be extreme. The reward for vaccinating is immunity from the disease (a powerful reward). The reward for not vaccinating is freedom from rare side effects (a small reward).