Stall Rest Chronicles 1 Feb

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. [Begin]

Week 5 post surgery
Week 3 of stall rest

Milton is not! pleased! Yummy alfalfa in a slow-feeder hay net. Less interesting, free choice timothy below. In case you are not up on hay types, think steak and brussel sprouts.

Yesterday, two readers expressed amazement at our patience. One) Thank you. Two) Is it patience if you don’t have a choice? I mean, yes, on the grand scale of things, one always has a choice. Given that we have taken responsibility for Milton’s care, we have made our choice. Three) So far – crosses fingers – Milton has made it easy. In contrast, “At least Charlie got to spend a day out with his friends? He’s a good dog, but….. a little bit of a terrorist on stall rest.” ‘Fraidy Cat Eventing: mud – 1; emma – 0. Given the context, I think the author is taking about a matter of days, not four weeks and counting. Keep up the adaptable attitude, Milton. We appreciate it.

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 31 Jan

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. [Begin]

Milton is four weeks post surgery
Week 3 of stall rest

Milton is in a mood. Greg was cleaning the stall, so the top half of the stall door was open. Rodney went over to the corner of the run-in to get a drink. Milton left his hay, walked over several feet, stuck his head out the door, bit Rodney, and then went back to eating his hay.

Weekly tele-vet check-in. Sent pics of tum to vet. Verdict. Incision looks good. Healing well. Yay!

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 30 Jan

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. [Begin]

Milton is four weeks post surgery
Two weeks at clinic DONE
Two weeks of at-home stall rest DONE
Starting week 3 of four weeks of stall rest
Four weeks paddock rest
Four weeks pasture rest

Since it was the weekend, we had time to try a few new things. Reminder. Milton on stall rest. Rodney in companion (& partly self-imposed) confinement in the area next to the stall.

1) Team walks. Both horses out on leadropes. Rodney was excited. We bailed early not so much because Rodney was hard to handle, but because I was stressed about what might happen if he were to get away.

Voting this one down. While Milton is out, Rodney appears to prefer being in the stall cleaning up Milton’s leftover. This seems wrong. Rodney should get out of the barn. However, the point is enrichment for the horse. He gets to chose what he enjoys. Most horses want out of a stall. Rodney wants in.

Milton did not care one way or the other that Rodney was along on his walk. I think the bonding is one-sided. Dude, we’ve all been there.

2) Fed Rodney hay on the porch, an area of the field just outside the barn. We had time to hang out & keep eye on Milton. Rodney got some sun. Milton got used to seeing Rodney a little bit farther away.

Worked better, although Rodney only lasts for a short while before he wanders back in.

3) Took Milton for one long outing of 20 minutes rather than two 10-minute walks. Was more work for him. He was ready to come in.

Another keeper. Gentle increases in exercise are good therapy.

Partly it’s about what the horses want, or need, or enjoy, partly its about what we are able to cope with. We be a little jumpy at the moment.

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 29 Jan

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. [Begin]

Four weeks post surgery
Finishing week 2 of at-home stall rest

Vet: No coastal hay!
Us, to horses: Have some nice timothy.
Rodney: Nom. Nom.
Milton: Pffffft.

There will come a time when we will insist. Now is not that time.

Us, to Milton: Have some nice alfalfa.

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 28 Jan

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. [Begin]

28 days post surgery
Second week of at-home stall rest

House acted up last week. Truck acted up this week. House trouble fixed with rental of the proper tools. Truck trouble seems to have resolved itself. (!?!? 🤞). I can’t figure out if this is bad luck, or good luck, or just life.

And of course, Milton, who had terrible, invasive surgery but then was a model patient. (🤞). Bad luck? Good luck? Life?

Onwards!
Katherine

Stall Rest Chronicles 27 Jan

Explanation. We have a horse on stall rest following colic surgery. This has taken over the blog. [Begin]

27 days post surgery
Second week of at-home stall rest

Hay continues to go in. Poop continues to come out.

Yay, poop! 💩

Looking Ahead

SNEAK PEEK! You’ve asked, so we will offer MEDALS as one of your award choices for the 2023 Tevis Cup Virtual Ride event. Entries will post in early March with your 100 days to complete 100 miles starting April 19, 2023. Watch here for updates!”

Facebook: Tevis Cup Virtual Ride, Public Group

Looks to be a hanging medal in the fashion of the iconic belt buckle. Nice balance between including the virtual riders in the tradition while leaving the actual buckles for the IRL ride.

This year’s event will begin April 19th. allowing entrants 100 days to complete the distance – finishing up under the same moon as the date of the actual Tevis Cup Ride on July 29th.

The Tevis Cup: Virtual Tevis 2023

Barring complications, Milton is cleared for light work on 4/13. Are we ready to do 100 miles at a slow walk? Yes we are!

🤞🤞🤞💩💩💩👍👍👍

Milton will not be the only post-surgical patient to have hit the trail. ” ‘So we walked. One quarter mile at a time.’ Two Paths Farm: Just a Little Farther…“. [The Repost, Deuce Completes The Virtual Tevis 2020]

[VT archives]

In Other News

Thoughts on SF History class from another student, Cosmic Codex: Science fiction: A genre with a mission, Brian Scott Pauls, 26 January 2023. I believe you can read/listen to it without subscribing. If the link is not direct, click “No Thanks” on the landing page and chose the title from the table of contents. [Blanket Adjustment, announcement of class]

Onwards!
Katherine