February 5, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Horses
equine, farm, farm horse, frozen, horse farm, horses, winter
This week we had about 8 more inches of snow. Sure it is pretty to look at and the horses love to play in it but it makes everything more difficult: Walking out to the barn, opening doors, gloved hands can’t do anything. Enough complaining, because it also make for some very pretty pictures.
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A couple of days after the snow storm we found ourselves in the the midst of Frozen Rain and slightly Warmer temperatures. A layer of ice coated everything. I had some fun with these pictures, as it is really quite beautiful.
January 30, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Horses
cold, farm horse, frozen, horse, horse farm, weather, winter
Today I received a request for to answer some questions about this winter for a human interest story for PSU Extension Equine newsletter. So I figured I would share with you.
Name and location in state: Golden Spike Farm; Quakertown, PA
How many horses are you caring for? 10 horses and 2 mini donkeys
What challenges has the harsh winter conditions in January 2014 caused for you?
- Frozen water buckets in the stalls
- Frozen water hose
- Barn doors frozen shut
- So cold your hands and feet hurt so you minimize your time outside (horses not receiving as much attention)
- Horses not being brushed as much so a wound was missed. I am now dealing with the abscess. Twice daily wound care plus antibiotics (topical, oral, intramuscular injection)
What changes have you had to make this year that are different from past years to manage and care your farm and/or horses?
- Horses are in the barn more.
- Barn is closed up at night.
- Donkeys hang out in the aisle, because they don’t have a stall.
- Boiling water in the stall water buckets every night.
- Breaking ice out of buckets every morning.
- Buying new things to make life easier:
Personal Comment on Winter of 2014:
Everything takes longer starting with getting ready to go outside. I usually can be found wearing 3 layers on the bottom and 5 layers on top, hat, gloves, and my Columbia cold weather boots. Luckily I have help; all my boarders share the work load. I am originally from Miami, so I have jumped into this the hard way but we are getting through it and I am looking forward to warmer temperatures this weekend.
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December 1, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm horse, fever, horse, hospital, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Things are continuing along the positive path, Nash’s temperature remains to be normal. On Saturday they stopped one of the 2 antibiotics that he was receiving via IV. Then on Sunday morning they were please to find the fever didn’t return, they have kept him on the one Antibiotic (Gentamicin). The good news is that if he remains fever free tomorrow they will discuss with me having him come home early next! YES, finally talking about my boy coming home.
Fingers crossed and positive thoughts for Nash. Thanks for all your kind words and support!
November 28, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Animals
donkey, equine, Fall, farm horse, horse farm, surgery, Thanksgiving
I was speaking to a friend about not having yet received a call from the vet. She said the old phrase no news is good news. Well I corrected her and said in Nash’s case no news is not bad news, because I am sure they would call if he had any significant negative changes.
That being said it is Thanksgiving and I did not receive a call from the hospital. Dr P. is off today, he said that another vet would call me with an update on Nash’s temperature but I didn’t hear from them today.
I am going to visit Nash tomorrow and finally meet Dr P. So I will have a full update after that.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. A couple of pictures of me this morning with my “kids”. Took a break from doing stall for to take some selfies,
Apple is not amused
Me and Bilbo with a Frodo photo bomb.
November 25, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
farm horse, hospital, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Spoke to Dr Parente this morning, he was concerned. Nash still has the fever. He was saying it is at 104 still which is considered a high grade fever. So today they are looking into the cause of the fever. They are running his blood work and checking it against when the blood work from when he was admitted. They are also going to do a fecal sample, to look for bacteria. Lastly he talked about the chance of infection at the incision site. He noticed a little more swelling but said that if there was an infection there it would be very painful to touch. Yet Nash is not indicating that it is very painful. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of this soon so my boy can come home.
Picture from last year.
November 24, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm horse, hay, hospital, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Wow, I can’t believe it has been a week.
I spoke to Dr Stuart to get an update on Nash. He still has the fever but it appears to be responsive to bute. So this morning it was at 104.1. Then he received his morning does of bute and it went down to 102. He is still doing fine, eating and all the rest. They have all his legs wrapped now because since the fever started they stopped hand walking him. They really don’t want to release him until the fever breaks, so hopefully that is soon. The pics are from my visit with him yesterday.
November 22, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
farm horse, horse, SaveNash, surgery
I spoke to Dr Parente this morning. He said Nash was still doing good. They did notice his heart rate was slightly elevated and are keeping an eye on it. He has been switched from IV to oral ABs and they are reducing his bute (pain killer). He is not that concerned about the elevate heart rate and said that he can be discharged tomorrow. So we are leaving after my last lesson at 2 pm to bring my boy home.
This picture is from when I first met and rode Nash.
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 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.
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