Laminitis - here we go again....

Well...the farrier came out today to look at Tonka....and he says that Tonka now has this in all 4 feet.

It is really hard for me to write about this because several years ago, I lost a horse to this horrible, her name was Peanut.  Poor thing.

So, now, here we are again...several years later....a lot less money and a huge undertaking.  I'm so scared.  Poor Tonka.  I hate that he's going through this.  I hate that he is suffering.  The poor guy is only 6 years old.

We had a vet come out and everything tested fine and well...a week and a half later....I get the gut wrenching news.

Several years ago, the nation lost Barbaro to the same disease.  What a sad story that was.  He suffered a year. A year!!!  He had all the services money could buy....He was favored to win the tripple crown in 2006.  I was in attendance at Pimlico on Preakness day he shattered his leg.

It just doesn't sem fair....Right now...I feel so sad.

When you just don't know what to do...call the people that do....

Well....I called the Ferrier...he'll be out tomorrow evening....

When Tim came home from the farm, last night, he was really concerned about Tonka....

After my eye doctor appointment, today...I struggled with the thoughts of going out to the farm.  Luckily...it was gray and the sun wasn't shining...so, I really felt I had to go out.  So, dilated eyes and all...I went to the farm with my funny "old people looking over the glasses, sun glasses."  I would have never been able to drive there myself...but I could certainly ride there. 

Tim and I got to the farm and I grabbed Frank's halter and shank and walked out to the field...Frank was so happy to see him.  I petted him briefly...and then continued on to see Tonka.  

Well...he's about the same...but walking differently.

Well...It was clear to me that we are having laminitis flair up.  We're fairly certain, from his back legs hurting, he put more weight on his front legs and through his weight off balanced and then the spring grass....all recipes for disaster...

So, I went to the little tack store down the street from Beth's.  They were closed, but Bob opened up for us (gotta love the eastern shore).  We got Tonka a grass muzzle.  I purchased it so that we could have it for back...just in case Beth is unable to get him in and out, she'll be able to put that on him and he won’t be able to eat too much grass.  He'll be able to; just limited (too bad I can't get one of these things for me!).

I also got a few other things at almost rock bottom prices…

Beth had contacted her Ferrier for me and well...he agreed to come out to see Tonka.  I talked to him and well...I'm very nervous about meeting this guy.  He sounds like he knows his stuff...but do you know how you feel as a women going to a car repair shop....well, this is about how I feel about dealing with the Ferrier.  This guy really seemed to try to scare the crap out of me.  

When I finally said, well, honestly, this is the 3rd year in a row I've had to deal with this.  Tonka honestly needs shoes; I can't do them myself.  Tim can trim...but shoes are out of the question.  The Doctor was just out last week and did the hoof tester and there was no sign of laminitis...but now...well...we're not sure.  I explained about the fence and why the doctor was out...so honestly, I'm not a moron when it comes to this.  It's something we've been dealing with since we got Tonka.

Anyway...after that...said macho dude...decided to slow down and be a little nicer.  But that doesn't make me feel any better about meeting this guy tomorrow by myself.  

So, Tonka is sleeping in the riding ring tonight and Frank is happily pigging out on clover grass in the riding arena...Poor Kids.  Well, Frank is probably missing his brother about now....but he can still see him.

Anyway, I'm so completely stressed out.  

Life is certainly a box of chocolates....

Well....everyone seems to have a blog these days and I began to think that maybe I should have one, too!  I got to thinking about what I'd want to write about and what to blog about.


Well, I love my horses and I love to workout.  Perfect....well...I don't know.  Well, I decided to focus on life with horses and add some personal content about my fitness and life in general.


Life with horses is almost like life with kids.  Every day is different and they really do bring you lots of joy.  Sometimes they bring you lots of stress.  Sounds a lot like kids, doesn't it?


Anyway, I have 2 horses.  Frankie is a 18 year old retired Thoroughbred.  He raced until he was 9 and I got him soon after.  Tonka is a 6 year old Mustang (I just found out recently that he's 6).  I thought he was 5 or 6 when I got him about 5 years ago from someone off the race track.  

Poor Tonka got stuck in a gate.  Not sure how he did that...but he likes to nest and he nested in his shed and well...I can only assume that he rolled and got stuck.  It's been a long couple months trying to get him back to health.  It makes me so sad to see him hurt so much.

Frank is doing better than this year than he has in the last few.  He's thriving at the new farm, which is awesome. He looks awesome.  But, he's seeming to like to charge the gate to get free to enjoy the luscious grass...


I love to ride Frank bare back while he grazes on the lush grass.

Well...we're not eating lush grass here, but this is a great picture of my spoiled baby.

I grew up around horses.  My mom is trainer, my grandfather was a trainer and the man that raised me was also a trainer.  So, horses are most definitely a part of life.

Boy, that's a skinny pony.  But that's me.  

Anyway...this is the start to my blog.  I'm not sure how often I'll post...I just know that it may be a lot of fun to cover some ground.  Maybe meet some new friends and gain some knowledge.