Oh boy! LOOK!

Jubal's usually a pretty non-reactive sort of guy.  What prompted this much interest?

Could it be...........

You bet it could!

"Now, if I could just levitate a bale a or two..............."

Our Heroes

Forget Barbaro, Secretariat, and Zenyatta.  Never mind Rugged Lark, Bright Zip or Impressive.  These are our heroes;

Josh

Jubal

Sherman

Wade

.......and the thousands like them who either taught new horsemen, young and old, to ride or toted "weekend warriors" up and down the trail via rental strings.

These are "the working man" of the horse world.  Give 'em a hand!

Various Photos on a Warm Winter Day

A "January Thaw! "  Here are a few random farm shots as we were enjoying the outdoor work today.

Freddie - not too bad considering all the recent mud.  We're not wild about the new mane "do," though.

Sanctuary housing we hadn't noticed while the leaves were on the trees.

The first step in solving some of our drainage problems.  See that little white pipe on the upper right?  Somehow, former property owners thought that would carry all the runoff from the field east of the driveway to the ditch west of the driveway.  The current pipe is the professional version.  According to the weather forecast, it may get its first trial this weekend.

Wade and Marye.  Still a couple and going strong.

Jubal enoying a lunchtime beverage.  Ahhhhhh.

Senior Spa Day!

Thank you to all the members of the University of Mary Washington Pre-Vet Club who spent the day grooming geezers. Other than a slight wind, the weather was perfect.  Most of the horses loved the attention, though a couple  of grumps would have been perfectly happy keeping their hard earned dirt.

Perhaps most importantly, our new resident, Sherman, was partially bathed to remove evidence of a light digestive upset from his hind legs.  The New Guy seemed completely relaxed during this procedure, a far cry from a few other residents who declare they've never seen anything resembling a water hose or sponge in all their 30+ years.

Here's Sonny, age 38, following his spa session:

And Rienzi, who is in his mid 30's:

Lizzie's (24) new coif:

Fitz, 26, absolutely ate up the extra attention, looking like he might take a nap during his grooming session:

Miss Mona, 30+, from neglect to diva in just 3 months:

Jubal, 29, also made some new friends:

And our last photo for this post............NATE!  (who was one of the grumps, but did a little of his signature "scampering" afterward, so the experience must not have been as tortorous as he let on in the beginning.)

Thank you, all!  Please come back any time.  We'd love to see you again.

A few random photos

We thought we'd start November by showing off a few of the Elders:

Mona, October 23, 2009 (age 30-ish)

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Remember that Mona looked like this on August 8.........

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Yes, folks, We found someone Henry (25) would share his "space" with -- Josh! (late 30's) Oh boy, those recently replaced boards make the need to repaint the fence even more obvious.

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You do what you gotta do when your belly itches and you have no fingers!
Jubal October 4, 2009, age 29

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"Yo! Think you could ditch the camera and gimme a hand here?"

What's Wrong with this Picture?

"OK, this is just wrong.

Where are the feed buckets that are usually in this thing?"

(Mona, 30-ish and Fitz, 26)


"Do you know how to drive this thing back to the
feedroom and reload it in the correct manner?"
(Fitz, 26 and Jubal, 30)

........and Upward

In the previous post, Mona had just been turned out with a small group in a big field and looked a little lost. The photo in that post was taken Tuesday at approximately 10AM.

By 6PM Tuesday:
(Mona is the small dark mare wearing the red halter.)

Guess What We Did Today

Just Kidding! While we did begin a weekend Dentathon today, there is much more to equine dental care than brushing.

First, a thorough exam, checking for sharp points, hooks, ramps, loose or decayed teeth, gum disease and watching for any pain reaction from the horse. (Brushing helps remove grass or feed between the incisors so all surfaces of the teeth are visible for evaluation.)

Our first patient, Jubal, had two very loose teeth and areas of tartar build up (indicated by black arrow below.)
Below, the dentist explains why this tooth with decayed roots was very loose and needed to be removed. Jubal was already missing several teeth before today, but regular checkups are still important to detect problems like decay or fractures, or to correct sharp edges that may cut the cheek, tongue or gums.

Finally, the remaining healthy teeth are hand floated to remove sharp edges and make chewing action more efficient.

Thank You’s and other Tidbits

We have a lot of short updates and want to thank a lot of people today, so we’ll try to do it all in one post and hope we don’t leave anyone out.

We’d like to remind local Reiki practitioners that the first Shelter Animal Reiki Association orientation for the TREES program will be this weekend, Saturday, June 20, 10AM – noon. To participate, or for more information, please contact Janet Dobbs

The next Reiki workshop will be Reiki I, for both humans and animals, July 11-12. Saturday will be in McLean, VA, Sunday at Traveller’s Rest in Spotsylvania. For more information.

Our first resident update concerns Jubal. He’s back out with his “herd” (Fitz, Emma and Josh) and seems to be doing just fine. The wound on his fetlock is almost completely healed and almost all of the puffiness gone. Whew!

Lizzie is still gaining weight and doing well. She has settled in to the group including Sonny, Rienzi, Val, Marye and Wade. We’ve discovered she prefers to be called just Liz (not to be confused with “Just Jack” for Will and Grace fans.) Call “LIZ!” and she comes at a trot, but call “LIZZIE,” and she barely acknowledges your presence.

Josh is moving up in the pecking order in his field. Yesterday we noted that Fitz, who towers over Josh and outweighs him by several hundred pounds, was waiting in line behind Josh for a turn at the water tank. (The two boys and Emma all go for a drink immediately after eating a meal.)

Marye is still doing well and has not needed another Aeromask treatment yet this spring. Fingers crossed!

Now, the thank you’s!

First, thank you to Rennie, Gene, Carol, Michaele and Jim for coming to the sanctuary last weekend to help dry the place out after our freakish rainfall. It’s rained a few more times since, but nothing like the approximately 9 inches we got in about 24 hours that week.)

Thank you, too, to Gene and Carol for dropping off a new Wet Vac in case the weird wet weather continues.

Thank you to our neighbor, Patty, for arriving with a smorgasbord of seeds and grains about ten minutes after learning of Elmer’s arrival.

Thank you to COTH’s “Oldenburg Mom” for the gift of ~ 900 pounds of luscious smelling hay and to Samantha for coming along to help unload. Thank you, COTH’s “Nootka” for posting TREES’ contact information, making this donation possible.

Thank you, “Janet’s Dad” for a roll of quilt batting to use as leg wraps.

Thank you to Janet Dobbs’ students all, both Reiki and Animal Communication, who participate in workshops at TREES. It’s always fun to watch people’s faces as they come to understand that all things in nature are connected.

Thank you to everyone who sent prayers and support when Forrest arrived then departed in too short a time. Special thanks to Dr. Amanda Blanton who spent a good portion of her holiday weekend here. Thank you, again, to Gene and Carol for taking over the farm chores so we could focus on Forrest. Thank you Sam for transporting this determined old gentleman. Thank you, Janet, for being with Forrest as he crossed, and to Nelson, for bringing your backhoe out on Memorial Day, then returning a few days later with a donation. It seems Forrest touched a lot of hearts in the few days he was here.

We are continually (and gratefully) overwhelmed by the people who want to help offer retirement/hospice care to special needs elder equine. The horses, though, always feel there should be more visitors (more admirers.) If you’d like to visit and meet our special residents, please email us at info@equineelders.org or call 540-972-0936 (but remember that we’re somewhat telephonically challenged until Verizon comes June 24.)

Quick Jubal Update

We hoped Jubal would be back out with Fitz, Emma and Josh by now, but nooooooooo.........

The initial fever, swelling, and pain resolved quickly but, as always, there's more to the story.

Even though last weekend's ultrasound showed nothing of concern, there was a small pocket of infection under Jubal's innocent looking scrape. The wound opened up Monday evening, draining pus and blood. Tuesday morning we hosted yet another visit by the vet, who re-evaluated both the wound and the joint. Good news.......there still did not appear to be any injury to or infection in the joint capsule or the tendon sheath. Bad news, of course, was infection where we didn't expect to see infection.

The open wound was thoroughly cleaned, then flushed with a dilute betadine/saline solution. We were to continue as before, anitbiotics, clean wound and change wrap at least once a day, more often if needed. As of Thursday evening, there didn't appear to be much improvement, but things weren't getting worse, either.

Friday morning, however, at wound check we found more puffiness around the fetlock than there had been for several days. Another call to the clinic and a third vet visit followed. (Thank you, Jubal, for not waiting until Sunday again, which would have meant an "after hours" call.)

Ok. One more evaluation. Still no apparent involvment of the joint or tendon. Open wound again flushed. This time the vet added an antibiotic ointment to the regimen. This particular ointment is made for treating mastitis in cows, so comes in a plunger-type tube with a dispenser small enough to fit into the wound's opening itself. Now we can apply antibiotic directly to the source of the problem. The clinic is also now culturing the bacteria involved to see if it is something that won't respond to the current antibiotic treatment. A "sensitivity" test will also be performed to see just which antibiotic will be most effective. Treatment will be adjusted accordingly.

So......for now, Jubal is "maintaining." Not getting worse. but not healing as quickly as we had hoped either.

Fortunately, even though he is extremely bored while "in the hospital," Jubal has been a model patient.

If you have some free time and would like to visit the patient during his confinement, please email us at info@equineelders.org and schedule a visit!

Hey Quilters! Can you help TREES' horses?

Quilters! Time to Search Your Stash! Jubal's recent leg injury requires wrapping for at least a few more days.

See the white padding under the elastic bandage?

That's nothing more than good old quilt batting. Excecpt that its been cut to a certain size, repackaged just for the purpose of wrapping horses' legs, and priced "accordingly." TREES received a package of "Leg Wrap Sheets" during our Giving Trees program last Christmas, but Jubal is making short work of them (he's getting each one dirty enough that we can't reuse them and must start with a clean wrap each day.)

This is where you quilters come in. Do you have any batting remnants sitting in drawers or closets that you hate to throw away, but feel you may never use? TREES can put them to good use! We'd like to think we won't need them often, but Jubal reminded us that we just never know what might pop up next and that there are certain things we should keep in stock in large quantity.

We're looking for pieces at least 15" x 18" but anything larger would be great. We can cut or fold to custom sizes as needed.

If you are a quilter or former quilter, or know a quilter or former quilter.......please Search your Stash. Batting may be sent to Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary, PO Box 2260, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. (If using UPS, FedEx, etc, give us a call for the street address. ) If you'd rather drop them off in person and meet the gang, give us a call at 540-972-0936, or email info@equineelders.org to schedule a visit.

Jubal and his chorts thank you!

No Rest for the Convalescence Stall!

We planned to talk about something besides health issues today, but that is not to be. ("The best laid plans of mice and men......")

Yesterday afternoon (Saturday) the farm was at peace. So much so that we finally addressed some long neglected chores - mowing the lawn and disposing of the mountain of feed bags by the back door, for example. Thunderstorms in the distance threatened to soak the farm during the night, so we worked until sundown to accomplish as much as possible in case the bad weather would be with us in the morning.

The horses all seemed quiet, happily grazing in newly mowed fields. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. For once.

Saturday's peace was short-lived.

Sunday morning, as breakfasts were distributed, Jubal did not come into his stall. Now, Jubal is always - every meal, 100% of the time - the first one in his group to assume the feeding position. Not so this morning. Jubal stayed put where he was in the shed, even when Fitz pointed out that Jubal was in his feeding station.

A quick glance up and down easily revealed the problem. Jubal's right foreleg was noticeably swollen to the knee. There was a small, superficial-looking wound on the back of his fetlock, but nothing that looked like it should cause the reaction we saw. We brought out the thermometer and found Jubal's temperature to be 103.2. Normal rectal temps for a horse are in the 99-100 range, so this was a significant fever.

Our vet was here within an hour. Clipping the hair from around the wound and cleaning the area revealed no puncture wound, confirmed by an ultrasound scan. Jubal's injury appeared to be a very superficial scrape.

Sometimes, though, even very minor assaults to the skin introduce opportunistic bacteria which, under just the right circumstances, cause a major infection. If you have ever known a human who developed cellulitis as the result of a seemingly insignificant scratch, you'll understand what Jubal is dealing with now and how frighteningly quickly it can escalate.

To combat the infection, Jubal was immediately started on antibiotics -- 2 days of injections, then 3-5 days of an oral type. He has been given anti-inflammatory medications for pain and to reduce both the fever and swelling. In addition to medication, cold hydrotherapy will be used to keep the swelling down and to keep Jubal's body temperature down, if needed. Another technique being used is a "standing wrap" which consists of elastic bandaging over cotton-like padding.

For now Jubal seems much more comfortable, his main concern being the separation from herdmates, Fitz and Emma. Or maybe the problem is that his current wrap is pink! Pink! (Don't worry, old man, we have other colors for when we change the wrap tonight.)

While we don't want to downplay the potential seriousness of cellulitis, its a relief to see Jubal responding well to treatment so far. If everyone reading will cross your fingers, hold your tongues just right, and send positive vibes his way, perhaps our stoic old Foundation Quarter Horse will be back to normal in no time.

And after that........well........maybe the universe could give the geezers a break for a while.

'Nother update - Chamberlain (aka "Josh")

Lizzie stole the spotlight for the last week and a half, but we didn't want to neglect updates on our other recent arrival, Josh.

Here is Josh on April 11, still wearing very impressive winter woolies.

And here is Josh now!

Josh fit right in with Emma, Jubal and Fitz, even though the Three Bay Amigos had initial misgivings about his addition to the band. After all, its been a long time since a not-bay horse has lived in this field.Josh, however, is one of those guys that is just plain nice......no one can ignore him for long. (Josh is on the left, Jubal on the right.)

Mmmmm. Good Stuff.

If you have any doubts about Reiki as a relaxation/stress-lowering technique, take a look at a few of the photos taken today when Janet Dobbs returned with some Shoden students for a little more practice working with animals. Enjoy.

Spend your "Day On" with the Horses

President Elect Obama is calling on Americans to make MLK Day a day of service....a "Day On" rather than a day off. While many service projects are geared toward needy humans, we'd like to appeal to potential volunteers for a few hours to help needy horses. With the recent unusually cold, windy weather, the horses have been spending more time in sheds and barns. That, added to poop piles frozen to the ground has caused a "back-up," so to speak. By Monday, everything should be thawed (including our spreader, and the muckers' fingers and toes!) and we'll have some extra cleaning up to do.

If you have not yet chosen a "Day On" project, and would like to spend a few hours with our Elders, volunteering in a reduced stress environment, please give us a call at 540-972-0936, or shoot an email to info@equineelders.org.

For more about volunteering at TREES, please visit http://www.equineelders.org/volunteer.htm

Effects of Drought on Traveller’s Rest.

Though there have been localized rain showers in the area, this particular farm has not seen any measurable rain since mid-April.

The most obvious result of no rain, easily noticeable as visitors enter the driveway, is the dead, brown pasture.

As of this week we are feeding almost as much hay per day as we normally feed in a mild winter. The problem with that is two-fold. First, we are using hay we would usually reserve for winter forage. Second, a larger annual hay requirement translates into a larger annual economic consideration. Obviously, the more bales of hay we buy, the more money it costs.

There is, however, another factor at work. Many area farmers were able to produce only a fraction of their normal crop during the early summer cutting and will not be able to harvest a second cutting at all. This smaller supply of hay will mean higher prices, if we can find adequate supply at all. The lack of tender, second cutting hay will be particularly hard on our dentally challenged Elders who cannot manage the coarse stems and stalks that make up much of a first cut bale. We do have the option of buying bagged chopped forage or forage cubes, but the bottom line remains this same. Basic care costs could be much higher than usual this winter, not only for TREES, but also for all local horse owners. Rescue facilities and sanctuaries can expect increased number of requests to take in horses this winter.

In addition to the grass and hay issue, the dry weather has other effects on TREES’ Elders. The most troublesome problem is that the ever-present dust is causing bronchial inflammation in at least two of our geldings. Jubal and Sonny both have diminished air movement through their lungs.

To combat the dust somewhat, we are dampening bedding and shed floors once or twice a day, depending on drying time. This may help some, but it does not address the fact that just walking across the fields, the horses kick up a little dust with each step. If there is no relief soon, the next step will be to administer a bronchodilator to help Sonny and Jubal breathe easier.

Under the layer of dust, the ground is almost as hard as concrete. As a result, the horses with arthritis and ringbone are experiencing more aches and pains. Stalls and sheds are being deeply bedded to give the Elders more comfortable places to stand or lie down. More pain management medication is required than usual as well.

One up side to the dry conditions is that we are seeing far less mosquitoes that usual. All in all though, we’d take the mosquitoes if they came with more grass and hay.

Please pray for rain.

Now, this is what we'd like to see!