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 20, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
horse, hospital, SaveNash, surgery
Came to visit my handsome man on the first day after surgery. He saw me picked his head up and went right back to munching on his hay, but Glad to see he is eating. When I came in to his stall he gave my hand a good sniff to say hello oh yeah I know you.
He has a massive bandage around his belly so I can’t see the incision site. When I approached his side he moved away quickly like a fear of being touched pain reaction. But that does not surprise me.
Then I sat down in the hay and hung out. Helping him find the good bits of hay and letting him know I am here with a little scratch on the head every once in a while.
The nurses stopped by and they were pleased to see he has a visitor. One of them said “oh I love him”. Guess that means he has been a good boy.
A different vet called me today with an update. Saying his recovery is going well with him eating and going to the bathroom as normal.
November 19, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
SaveNash, surgery
Would you believe it I left my phone upstairs and missed Dr Parente’s call? He did leave the good news in a message though.
“Everything went well with surgery today. He stood up really well from anesthesia. We will probably keep him in a couple of days to make sure everything is looking good before we send him home.”
I am so pleased with the great news and hope to stop in to see him tomorrow. Thanks again to all who prayed and sent positive thoughts. It worked!
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.
October 2, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm horse, field, Golden Spike Farm, horse, horse farm, horses, hugs and kisses, inspiration, love, quotes, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
September 23, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
donate, farm horse, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
I am so very pleased to let you know that thanks to the very big help of my lesson students we have reached the 1/2 way point in Nash’s fund raising campaign. Thanks for all your help and support we have more to go but this is a great accomplishment. I hope to have the funds raised in time to have the surgery done this winter.
August 14, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
donate, equine, farm, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, riding, SaveNash, surgery, trail rides
Save Nash Fund Raising page
What a busy summer the farm is having! Sorry I haven’t updated you on Nash in a while but I wanted to let you know that the fund raising campaign is still on going. I would like to extend a special thanks to my lesson kids. They have jumped on board and are helping raise funds this summer. They have done lemonade stands and put cans in local pet supply stores and Vet office.
In the spring we delivered compost (aged horse manure) to local farms and residents. I asked that all they pay was for gas. If the truck did not need gas at that time the extra cash went to Nash.
So today I am going to deposit $188 in cash to the Nash bank account.
Please continue to spread the word and help anyway you can.
Thank you!
Nash is doing great. He is enjoying his summer doing trail rides and lesson. All very light activity nothing more than a running walk. His hernia seems to have become a little larger. There is an additional half moon bulge to the left but he is not bothered by it. Fortunately we are not at the point of extreme concern yet. 
May 22, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
donate, flyer, help, horse, photography, SaveNash, surgery
I am so excited to announce the save Nash flyer is done. It was a collaborative effort of many people. Thank you all for your help. It looks great!
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