Sunday, October 14, 2012

The Week In Review




"Mellon"

Waiting for dinner - "The service around here is a little slow"

Mellon visiting with Sami and the boys

There has been a lot going on this past week to deal with.  My daughter’s horse Mellon, who is twenty-five years old, was diagnosed with EPM.  They had been staying out and at first he just seemed tired and a bit stiff, but then began having trouble walking and was stumbling around a bit.  We decided to have him checked out and the vet confirmed the diagnosis of EPM last Saturday.  He has been on medication now for a week and seems to be doing a little better.  Our vet also took a blood test for Cushing’s and that was also confirmed this past Saturday.  Mellon will start his medication Monday for that and hopefully it will help him better able to fight off the EPM.  Mellon is the type of horse who will never surrender his leadership of the herd or give in to feeling poorly.  So he is a little difficult to deal with when he is sick.

He has been put in the small side paddock with Dusty for company.  If she is out of his sight he will pace the fence calling for her.  Since we didn’t want him any more stressed, we thought it best to simply let him have her for a companion until he is well enough to go out with the rest of the herd.  Dusty, of course, doesn’t really care for Mellon and his stalker antics, but she puts up with him because she has to.  We decided it would be better if Mellon were less stressed last weekend, so I didn’t get a chance to ride her, but that’s okay.  The important thing is that he gets a chance to relax and let the medicine do its job.

On to this past Saturday:  We put Blue out with Mellon and Dusty in the hopes he wouldn’t have a meltdown if I took her out to ride.  While I was grooming and tacking up, we kept an eye on him and he seemed to accept the fact that she wasn’t with him.  I took her to the indoor so he could see her from his paddock.  He only called a few times and then settled down.

Unfortunately, when I brought her back into the paddock, Mellon decided to chastise Dusty for leaving.  He started to canter off after her to give her a bite on the butt, then did a huge buck but didn't stick the landing and went down.  I nearly had a heart attack until he got up.  I’m glad he didn’t hurt himself badly, but we’ll have to make adjustments and leave Dusty in with him until he’s more stable on his legs.

Dusty, on the other hand, couldn’t have been more insulted by the fact that she might have to work for a few minutes.  Apparently, she’s forgotten how to stand quietly at the mounting block again.  It took four longeing sessions before she would stand still and let me get on without swinging her ample butt away from the block.  Since she had already had a lot of exercise and was sweating, I only walked her around on a loose rein to cool her off.  The main idea was to make her listen and let me get on board.  On a good note, she did look balanced and had a nice pace at the canter, which was formerly her pogo stick gait.  I’m looking forward to trying this new balanced Dusty canter soon. 

Until next time
Quote for Today
A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care.

42 comments:

  1. Hope the EPM episode improves shortly - as you know, I've had a lot of experience with that one! Glad the Cushings situation is known as well - this certainly happens with a lot of older horses - Lily has Cushings as well and is doing well now that she's on pergolide.

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  2. Hi Kate,
    I know you've had lots of experience with EPM with all three of your horses. I'm hoping Mellon's is an isolated case and no one else is infected. He starts the Peroglide on Monday since the vet clinic was closed by the time we got his results for Cushing's.

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  3. Haunting memories of Kate's experiences and now mine with the Cushing's. We are all sailing the same boat, I fear.

    Fortunately for all concerned, there are now proven medications for both ailments. Hope Mellon gets his sea legs back sooner than later. Apparently he doesn't seem too concerned about it. (Wonder of the hard landing knocked some sense into him? *sigh*)

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  4. Hi jean,
    I'm sure given the opportunity he'd do it again. I'm afraid Dusty is now his official baby sitter. Much to her chagrin:) he will never change after 25 years of ruling the roost so to speak. It falls to us to try and keep him sane and quiet.

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  5. I had to research what EPM is It sounds scary. Glad there is medication for that as well as Cushing's. Thank you to Dusty for Mellon-sitting even after the little "misunderstanding" that dropped poor Mellon. He sure is a handsome boy and he has the best looking girl around for a companion.

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  6. Hi Diane,
    Thanks we think Mellon is a very handsome guy too. Nobody can believe he's 25, even the vet always asks "are you sure about his age?" Dusty is not happy about the situation (she would rather be with her Nate) but she's being a good sport about it.

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  7. Mellon is one gorgeous boy! I hope all his meds work quickly so he can return to his herd. Good girl Dusty.

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    1. Thanks Lori. We hope the meds work quickly too.

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  8. Hope the EPM clears up without any lingering complications. Mellon is beautiful, as are all of your horses.

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    1. Hi Jeni,
      Thanks for the good thoughts and compliment.

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  9. get better soon Mellon! ....and be a good girl Dusty!

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    1. Hi Sally,
      Thanks for the good wishes. Dusty is trying to be accommodating. She's a good sport.

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  10. Good luck with Mellon. So happy you caught the problems and are working it out. He sounds like a regal bossy boy with a big personality. What a scare when he went down. Hope he is feeling better soon!

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    1. Thanks Juliette,
      Mellon certainly does have a big personality and he is bossy! I'm just glad he didn't hurt himself when he went down.

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  11. Sounds like a busy week, hope Mellon is OK. I think that stable block is the most gorgeous one I have ever seen!

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  12. Sending the best thoughts for Mellon - I hope he gets back to his old self very soon! He's in excellent hands.

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    1. Hi Billie,
      Thanks for the good thoughts. I'm sure he will be fine. If he stops being so neurotic and takes it easy.

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  13. Ugh, so sorry about Mellon. I hope the medicine helps him feel better soon.

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    1. Thanks, it seems to be helping and he should keep improving with time.

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  14. What a week you've had! Hopefully Mellon will be back to normal soon, although you might have to wean him off the idea that Dusty is his exclusively then..

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    1. Hi Sandra,
      It's not been a good week but I'm sure things can only get better from here. Fingers crossed. As soon as Dusty is back with the herd her heart belongs to Nate and they will pair up and take off. Mellon doesn't seem to care about that...as long as he can see her he's fine.

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  15. I agree about your stable--it's dreamy...and Mellon is a big, gorgeous boy. I've always thought if I come back someday as a horse, I want it to be with you. Your place is like a fairy tale for horses.

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    1. Thank you for the compliment Linda. Some of our horses know they have it better than with previous owners and the original group just think the service is a little slow and could be improved on!

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  16. Get well wishes to Mellon.
    And get sensible wishes to Dusty!

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    1. Hi Martine,

      I'll pass your wishes on to Mellon and
      Dusty.

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  17. I think I may have had a horse with some of these problems but he died before the vet could run any test. He was about the same age and had same symtoms. Hope Mellon is doing better now

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    1. So sorry to hear about your horse. Thanks for the well wishes for Mellon.

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  18. All the best to beautiful Mellon. I recall the worry list for my senior horses. Mellon is certainly at the right place for the right care. As always,
    your photos are just beautiful. Cheers for Dusty on that "balanced and ... nice pace at the canter".

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  19. Thanks for the well wishes. I can't wait to try that new and improved canter out one of these days.

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  20. So sorry to hear about Mellon. Sending positive thoughts that he is well on the road to recovery and that he can get back to stalking Dusty with a vengeance soon!

    Dusty cracks me up. Balanced canter?? Giddy up!!!

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    1. Thanks Wolfie, Mellon is her personal stalker and she's just not into his neurotic behavior! If you could have seen her original pogo stick cross canter you'd be really impressed by the new and improved Dusty-gait. Can't wait to try it sooner than later.,I guess all her trot work has contributed to her balance.

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  21. Drat it!
    Handsome dude that Mellon. Sorry he's down at present.Sounds like there's hope for a full recovery?

    Sure hope Dusty gives you that canter soon, in an enjoyable ride!
    You have been so busy!

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  22. Hi Kacy,

    Mellon seems to be doing better so I think the medication is helping. Still a ways to go yet but I'm sure he'll get there with time.

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  23. Wow, Mellon is one impressive-looking horse! Am so sorry he has EPM and Cushings. You are so kind to look after him so carefully, and try to keep him quiet and stress-free. Your horses are so lucky! And I love how you write with such a sense of humor!! Hope he feels better soon, and that Dusty continues to adjust. I love your beautiful photographs also.

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    1. Thanks Jan. Mellon seems to be getting better day by day. I love the colors this time of year.

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  24. That first photo of Melon is wonderful, he looks like a very happy guy! He doesn't look a day over 10. I bet is was truly scary to see him fall after his little romp, my heart skipped a beat on that one. I know he is getting the very best care and hopefully this will be just a bad memory. And Dusty?? The little stinker, seems she has "selective memory loss syndrome" when it comes to the mounting block. I imagine she's a bit perturbed with her current pasture partner, but still...silly girl.

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    1. Mellon doesn't look or act his age. The vet always asks "are you sure he's 25?" Dusty is a little stinker but I do like her personality.

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  25. Hi GHM, haven't visited or blogged for ages ... sending Mellon tons of 'get well' wishes, he is one handsome guy; he's the Trakehner right? Glad to hear that what he has it treatable. Sounds like Diva Dusty is still doing her 'thang', lucky for her you have an abundance of patience ;o)

    Not quite sure where you are in relation to Hurricane Sandy but wherever you are, do take care and stay safe.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Joy. Mellon is the Trakehner and he's doing much better this week.

      We're in the line of hurricane Sandy it seems to be just starting about now. Just lost some branches and it is just a matter of time before the power goes out. Thanks for the good wishes.

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  26. I'm sorry to hear about Mellon's conditions. I'm glad you have both under control with the vet, and can accommodate him in various pastures. But I would have been terrified seeing him fall after a buck also! How scary. I'm glad he got up and was okay. And Dusty sure has personality, doesn't she? Your patience with her is admirable, and your writing about her is so funny. Love to read your posts!

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  27. Oh, my, apparently I'm so behind reading blogs that I'm leaving double comments!! LOL!! Well, your blog is always worth reading twice!!

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It's so nice of you to take the time to visit. I appreciate your stopping by and commenting on what I've written. Even though I sometimes don't have the time to reply to each comment, I do enjoy reading them.