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Throughout time, people have celebrated their horses by decorating them with costumes and beads.

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July Message

Spirit of Our Arabian: A Colic Story

Last week was the end of a 90 day recovery for major colic surgery on my daughter’s Arabian, Antonio. We are riding him again, and he is the happiest horse alive. Just look at his pride in this photo.

Tuesday March 17, 2009. San Antonio, our Arabian, who earned his name looking after my daughter on our New Mexico riding trip last year (see our Blog below for that long story) was looking somewhat colicky, so we had the vet see him. He was oiled and we walked him for a couple of hours and all seemed to be o.k.

Antonio seemed tired the rest of the week, but we kept riding him and he kept working. He showed no negative attitude, nor obvious signs of distress. That is until several friends at the barn said that he did not look well that following Saturday. At this point he just wanted to lie down. My husband drove to the barn with my new trailer that would be christened by this vet trip. Everyone became quiet and serious because Antonio is one of those horses that loves to work, “with a smile on his face” as our friend Scott says.

First stop, our local vets – Sunset Canyon Vets in Dripping Springs, Texas. I adore these vets because they communicate with we humans, and are responsive. Also, we women at the barn have had “deep talks” about them and agree that the men and women must rank amongst the best looking vets and staff in the region. Infact, we are considering running a “best looking vet practice” competition to see if any of you can out-do our “eye candy.” I forewarn you, it will be difficult to beat our George Strait look-alike (but taller and hey, he is clever enough to be a vet.)

With my recent donkey gelding and dog trips there, I was self-conscious that the vets’ office might think me a stalker at this point, but self-consciousness flew out the window in the midst of this sobering and worrying event. After a palpation and basic check, we received the news that we could try a low-success chemical solution or get going to A & M University Vet School in College Station where they had the equipment and specialists to handle colic surgery.

Having been part of a circle of riders last year, who tried for many hours to save a horse who had a terrible colic in a wilderness area in New Mexico, my mind flashed back to the negative outcome for that sweet horse. I was not hopeful for Antonio, but my vets in Dripping Springs assured me that of all the colic surgeries, impaction surgery had a higher chance of success. I also learned from them that horses flatten their nostrils when they are in severe pain. I tried to remember that look for future reference as Antonio is stoic.

Several weeks earlier, Dash, one of our model horses, came back from a ride and with his saddle still on fell to the ground to roll in Hollywood fashion. One does have to spend time with Dash to truly understand the magnitude of his acting repertoire. Infact, for a while, we thought he was doing one of his magnificent evasions. After the fifth time he tried to squash his several thousand dollar custom saddle, we realized that something was amiss. We walked him, gave him Banamine, and called the vet, who promptly oiled him and put him in a pen without food. By the time the vet was driving through the barn gate Dash had made a full recovery and was making it patently clear that he wanted food – NOW. Tough. This is certainly “A Tale of Two Horses.” Given the drama of Dash’s response to his belly ache he should have been the one to go to surgery.

I have found during my most stressful events that a divine support system always unfolds, so I have learned to just go with this faith. My husband and I, on our three hour drive one way to A & M, remained silent. We just listened for Antonio sounds from the trailer, and tried to feel his movement. In the meantime, our barn friends e-mailed and called us to assure us of their support. Those communications punctuated hours of disbelief, praying and hoping, because I knew that my horse was suffering.

I nearly broke down when I first loaded Antonio into the trailer at the barn. Many people accuse Arabians of being flighty. I invite them to come and see Antonio and many of the other Arabians at our beautiful barn – Red Horse Ranch. It is not an all-Arabian barn, but there are several Arabians there. Antonio is a horse whose intelligent eyes look into yours and discern what you need from him at any moment, even when he is feeling like death, it seems. He loaded into my brand new trailer without fuss, but he started to make a low distress neigh. It was all I could do to walk out of the trailer and get into the car to drive. I wanted to stay in there with him to reassure him that we were on our way to help.

We arrived at A & M Vets, and were greeted by informed staff who took Antonio to be weighed: 880 Ibs. Not enough for a 15 plus hand ex-racing Arabian. The diagnosis got worse: large colon impaction and nephrosplenic entrapment. I thought his chances of recovery were falling. The vets outlined the options, from least expensive and invasive to most expensive and invasive. I appreciate the irony that vets can do that but that human healthcare providers will not – because, they say – managed care is a complex world.

At a time when most people are watching their spending, we decided on the most costly operative option. That course of action would provide the greatest chance of success. Without doubt, he is worth it.

He had the surgery on the evening of March 21. All went quickly and smoothly. Miraculously, Kate, The Queen of Bling, and I drove back to the hospital on Wednesday 25 March and brought Antonio home in the afternoon. Going back to my experience of a divine support system unfolding, a beautiful small outdoor pen, with bedding, food, water and all that Antonio would need to stay comfortable yet be able to see his normal pen buddies, had been lovingly prepared by Sue and Mary. Antonio was happy to be home.

Every day during those 90 days, apart from maybe a handful, I walked my San Antonio. Determined to keep him on the path to recovery, I was OCD about being there daily. After the first couple of days, when every movement spooked him, I made a Bell Bling to clip onto his mane. The sound of the brass bell made a difference, and we were able to walk peacefully. Now, I have clipped a bell onto his breastplate.

He looked forward to those walks; standing at the gate waiting for me, craning his head to peek around the corner. We communed during those peaceful trail walks. I did groundwork, backed him to build up his rear end muscles, but mostly we walked in silence enjoying each other.

After three months of not being ridden, the day came when we could. It fell close to my daughter’s birthday, so riding him was her main gift. We got on and he was perfect: listening, responding, enjoying his partnership and work. That’s our San Antonio who embodies the enduring spirit and stamina of an Arabian.

Ride Blingfully!

Kate and Sheila


For riding tales:
Kate's installment of our New Mexico Trip story, visit Kate's Horse Bling Blog at: New Mexico Rough Rider Path

Sheila's Horse Bling Blog: Spirit of Our Arabian: A Colic Story

The Butt Bone is Connected to the Wrist Bone, So Take Your Own Fireman: More Adventures From a Neophyte Trail Rider

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