Saturday night, my 25 year old mare Breeze didn't meet me at the gate for dinner. She's very punctual when it comes to dinner, and my heart leapt to my throat.

My heart stopped when I found her down in the pasture. She was flat out and not moving. I SCREAMED her name and her head came up. It went right back down and I knew she was in trouble.

After some tugging and pulling, I got her up and checked her out. Gums were pale, but not too bad, and capillary refill was fast. GOOD. Heart rate was normal. GOOD. No sweating. GOOD. Gut sounds present on both sides of intestine. GOOD. She was colicking, but it wasn't severe. I could deal with that.

I gave her some Banamine and walked her for 2 hours. When I stopped, she cocked a hip and went to sleep. I put her back in the pasture.

Sunday morning I looked out the window and she was down again. NOT GOOD. She wasn't attempting to roll, just laying there. I called the vet. He said to give her more Banamine and see how she was in a couple of hours. No change. He came out and looked at her. Flushed her with some mineral oil and gave her a shot of Banamine. She appeared to be fine so I put her back out.

She went down again 2 hours later. The vet said that she had been flushed so he didn't think it was impaction. He thought maybe gas or ulcers. I walked her and she relaxed some.

She was restless all night. Up and down. Never tried to roll, just would lay down and stretch out. I baited some water with apple cider, but she wouldn't drink. I checked on her each hour, and it was a rough night for both of us.

This morning, she was the same. Vet came out, we flushed her again, and gave her more painkillers. He stayed until she began to eat some hay. He thinks that she either has ulcers, or intestinal tumors. He did a rectal, but as there is more intestine than arm, the tumors could just be out of reach.

Last night, I sat with her and cried. I told her that I am not ready to let her go yet, so if she died I would kick her ass. I got Breeze when I was 16. She was my cross country jumper and got patted by Michael Matz (who said she was a "nice looking mare.") I am NOT ready to let her go yet, and don't know what I am going to do if I have to. It will break my heart....

I thank God and all that is Holy for each and every day I have with her. Even if she does bite me in the ass each chance she gets...

Hug your animals and never take them for granted. You never know when they will leave you. Each moment is precious.

--Kel

PS Pics of B-Z (I call her B-Z after Beezie Patton an amazing woman rider)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=248689&l=9d35a2066a&id=100000929359537

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=248708&l=109b75f1f1&id=100000929359537

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=248690&l=1180792b01&id=100000929359537

Kelly,

I'll keep everthing crossed until Breeze is through this episode. Try to think positively - ulcers can be dealt with, can't they?

Sending healing, positive thoughts to both you and Breeze. She IS a lovely mare.

Hang in there!

I can see she is a butt biter by the expression in her face. What a beautiful girl.

<hugs>

Is there testing or anything they can do to rule out tumors/ulcers?

Kelly,

I'm so sorry that you're going thru this. I'll think good thoughts and keep everything crossed until she's better.

My heart is with you.

 Quote: betty waldron

Is there testing or anything they can do to rule out tumors/ulcers?

I am going to have my cousin ultra-sound her when the weather gets a little warmer. My cousin runs an independant diagnostics lab, and has to do so many hours of "practice" ultra-sounds and stuff. She says the animals are great to work on because they aren't "standard" like people are. Hopefully that will give us some answers.

There is medication for ulcers, but if it's tumors there's nothing that can be done. The tumor will continue to grow until it completely blocks the intestine, or creates a "kink" or twist in the gut. Due to her age, I am not sure that surgery to remove a tumor would be an option.

Well, then we will pray for ulcers, if these are our two choices.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I am on the way outside to feed her dinner now. Fingers crossed that all is well...

--Kel

An old favorite horse "going down" in mid winter is just so sad, I really feel for you.
Something about a horse lying down just pulls at your heart.

Did they check her manure for sand?
Just a thought. I wish you the best.

I'll be checking this thread to see how your baby girl is doing.

Kelly, I'm so sorry for what you and your mare are going through. As the owner of a 23-year-old mare whom I've owned for 22 years, I understand how difficult this must be for you. I hope she will get through this and you two will have a lot more time together. Sending good wishes your way ......