November 23, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, fever, horse, horse farm, horses, hospital, hugs and kisses, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
I woke up this morning to a phone call from the vet helping Dr Parente. She had not so good news… Nash has developed a fever. His temperature is 104. Normal body temperature for horses is 98 – 101 F. They think it is is viral infection but would like to keep him in the hospital over the weekend. She said he can probably go home Monday. While this is very disappointing, I understand it is best for him to stay in the hospital where they can monitor him closely and react quickly should he worsen. She did say he is eating a drinking as normal, which is why it is probably a viral infection.
Lover boy
November 21, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse farm, horses, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Dr Parente just called me. It was great to talk to him after seeing Nash as I was able to ask all my questions.
How did he get the hernia?
DrP. found scar tissue below the hernia which lead him to believe that the hernia was caused by trauma. Perhaps from a horse kicking him (before I rescued him) that caused a tear in the muscle wall.
How was the surgery performed?
The surgical mesh was attached to the muscles surrounding the hernia hole. Usually they try to pull the muscles together and put the mesh on top but due to the location this was not possible. So the mesh was attached with some tension (like a trampoline) to the muscles. There is also a layer of fat between the mesh and the intestine so there will be no complications there. Over time scar tissue will form over the mesh and reinforce it.
How is his recovering going?
He is doing very well. Pain seems to be down a bit today. Dr P. took the bandage off and was very pleased by the look at the incision site. It was very dry indicating not much puss or fluids forming. The swelling is less than the expected and Nash let him touch it (which indicates less pain). They are going to re-bandage it and keep that on for a while. Nash will be switched from IV antibiotics to Oral Abs. They are also reducing his bute (pain meds).
When can he come home?
Nash can go home Friday or Saturday. Which works out great because we will be picking him up around 4 on Saturday.
What happens when he comes home?
Nash will be confined to the stall for 2 weeks and hand walked only. Then he can be let out in a small round pen for 1 month. During this time he is not allowed to run around or interact with the herd for fear of tearing open the surgical site. I will continue the oral Antibiotics and pain meds as needed.
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November 19, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
abuse, equine, horse, love, rescue, SaveNash, surgery, trust
I am Thankful I have my horse Nash in my farm life. He is the equine example of unconditional love and trust. I quickly realized he was abused before I rescued him. It took him a while to understand that we were not the same people as in his past. Since he was reminded daily of how much we love and respect our horses he learned to love and trust again. Thank you all how convinced me to fund raise for him and thank you to all who donated to the surgery that he is having today.
November 18, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Horses
equine, horse, horses, love, nature, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Pre-Surgical work up day
I got to the barn early and fed him his two cups of grain. He was such a good boy this morning. I told him the plan and about going in the trailer. He followed me right in to the trailer. He was definitely nervous and shaking a little, but is so trusting. When we got on the road the anxiety started and my stomach was in knots.
It took us about 2 hours to get to the hospital. 
Look at that face, he was so upset and confused. Poor guy.
After going to admissions someone meet us at the trailer and escorted Nash to his stall. He we so good; but very nervous and looking around, taking it all in and trying to figure it out. I led him into the stall that was filled with straw bedding. I guess he has not seen that before as he wasn’t sure about walking into it.
Then they put a muzzle on him due to this dietary restrictions (only a little bit of grain). He didn’t like that at all. And thought is was very unfair that there was hay in the hay rack and straw on the ground.
It was time to go and leave him there. I left feeling so bad for him, but knowing it is for the best and the surgery will give him a long life with no worries of the hernia getting bigger.
Dr Parente called me this afternoon. He had a look at him and said we are all set for surgery tomorrow. The hernia is of a good size and shape for the operation. He is going to have the ultrasound done to have a look at the margins and determine the procedure for anchoring the mesh. The surgery will be done tomorrow afternoon and he will call me after. So now we wait.
Thank you to all the Facebook friends who have already sent us positive thoughts, prayers and wished Nash good luck.
November 17, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Horseback riding
equine, Fall, farm, field, Golden Spike Farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, sunset, trail ride, trail rides
What a great way to end a long Saturday of lessons.
November 8, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Horseback riding
equine, Fall, farm, farm horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, pasture, riding, trail ride, trail rides
I still can’t believe and am very grateful for how strong the lesson program is going even though the temperatures are dropping my students are still hanging in there and I am starting new ones almost every week. With it getting dark at 5 pm I am even contemplating having lights installed around the riding arena. BUT lets find out how much it costs first.
I have started doing Gymkhana exercises with some of my lesson girls. They love it! I get on Apple and do it with them. Then I discovered how much Apple loves to do it too. It is a lot of fun and teaches them balance, quick reactions and confidence.
Sometimes at the end of lessons we go on “trail rides”. It is just a walk around the front pasture but the kids love it. They can relax. Not have to go in constant circles and enjoy a bit of nature from the back of a horse. The parents and dogs enjoy the walk as well.
November 1, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
donate, equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse, love, rescue, SaveNash
Tuesday, November 19th
Heart Felt Appreciation
I can’t believe it is really happening! The generosity of friends and animals lovers is beyond words! We have raised enough money to pay for the surgery! Thank you to all of Nash’s benefactors:
- my lesson students who
- choose to ask for donations for Nash instead of birthday presents,
- raised funds through their schools – Nickles for Nash
- put out Nash Cans at local businesses.
- the friends of Nash & GSF who give of their own money
- friend who organized a raffle for tickets to a football in Nebraska
- friend and amazing photographer Judy Reinford who donated a photo shoot & images for the fundraising flyers and postings and had a client out for a photo shoot who donated to the campaign.
- Fretz Western Wear for agreeing to have a Nash Can on their counter and their customers for donating.
I have not yet closed the fundraising due to the cost of aftercare and in case of any post surgery complications. If there is any money left after he is healed and recovered I will donate it to a worthy horse rescue group.
Now for the Details
I spoke to Dr Eric Parente on Wednesday. He is the a professor of surgery at the New Bolton Center for large animals. He explained that we will have to minimize Nash’s feeding schedule for 2 days prior to the surgery. The goal is to decrease bulk in his colon so that there is less pressure on the surgical site. So this means no hay starting Sunday, November 17th and he can only have 1 -2 cups of grain every 4 – 6 hours. He is going to be so mad at me!
Nash will be admitted to the hospital for 4 – 5 days. I can bring him in either Sunday night or Monday before noon. On the first day Dr Eric will ultrasound the hernia to find the margins and how close it is to the last rib. He will use the ultrasound to figure out what to anchor the surgical mesh to. If it is close enough he might even use the rib for anchoring.
The surgery would consist of general anesthesia and the insertion of the mesh. After the surgery he would have a belly bandage for support. They would use IV antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics.
He should be able to come home on Saturday. I scheduled his release during the week of Thanksgiving when I am off from work and my parents are up visiting. That way I can be there for him and spend time with him during his early recovery. Once Nash is home he would have to be in the stall for 2 -3 weeks with only limited hand walking. This will allow time for the important scar tissue to form.
The end result is that the mesh would provide support from it getting bigger. The results would not be flat against the stomach because it will have a round shape as the scar tissue fills in.
October 31, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
cast, equine, farm, fright, horse, SaveNash
We just got back from a trail ride and let the dogs out of the stalls. (They were in there so they don’t run away or follow us, like Shadow did on Saturday, crossing Allentown Rd.) As we are untacking we hear Cole (Rachael’s Puppy) non-stop barking at the horses. Something he never does. Rach goes out to see what he is barking about to find Nash cast against the barn’s half wall in the shed row. This means he was stuck laying down, in fact he was on his back and got himself in a position that he could not roll out of it. We run out to help him an at first find that we can’t get him unstuck. His neck was bent under him and wouldn’t allow for us to push him back over. I have to say he was very calm through all this. I thought about calling someone to help us roll him back over but couldn’t even think to get the cell phone to work so decided we would try again. This time we were both up my his head one on each side which is dangerous because I was near potentially flying hooves. Which Rach did get hit in the head by one but it was partially my fault trying to get a good grip. Then he started to roll and we push and pulled some more then he slowly rolled on to his side and got up very quickly. I checked him out after and he was fine! A little shaken up but in great shape. So big thanks to Cole and Rach for being there to help out Nash!
October 30, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses, Horseback riding
equine, Fall, Golden Spike Farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, trail ride, trail rides
Fall Riding
This is the only season we can see those 2 words in a statement with out thinking: Oh No!
It sure is beautiful though. The fresh crisp air, the beautiful colors all around you. Even the horses like it and have a spring in their step.
Yes another shot of me while riding. Trying to capture my trial mate and myself.
I can’t believe I am still gaining new lessons. This is our first mother daughter team!
October 7, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Animals, Farm Horses
donate, equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse farm, horses, rescue, SaveNash
A friend of the farm has generously donated 2 college football tickets to the Nash fundraising campaign. Then he set up a raffle through ebay to raffle them off. All proceeds will go to Nash’s surgery fund.
Please click here to visit the ebay page: Raffle for 2 Nebraska vs Michigan State Spartans 11-16-13 football tickets
Please share this link with any friends in Nebraska or Michigan. Thank you for your support!
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