What a Beauty
Everyday she nickers a greeting as I arrive at the barn.
On first assessment it seemed that she didn't know much about being ridden.
Truth is she doesn't know alot, but she knows how to make a kid smile.
This is my nephew, who is very inexperienced, this is his third ride on Scarlett and she is just great.
First time over the ground poles.
Just for Comparison
Becoming a Fatty
Scarlett has blossomed and just continues to get fatter and prettier.
I found out that she really doesn't know anything, as far as riding goes.
She doesn't buck or rear, or fight you, she just stands there,
unless she is following her love, Bones.
She takes the saddle and bridle well, stands quietly for mounting and then just stands there. No amount of encouragement, kicking, nudging, clucking, crop, makes her move forward, backward or sideways.
This is just a prime example of how broodmares should all be saddle trained.
They don't immediately pass away after they are retired from breeding. Sadly, most breeders don't give their old mares the luxury of life out to pasture.
These old girls all deserve that, but in case that is not what is in store for them, they should be able to be ridden.
So, the next step with Scarlett is going to be a little ground work, some lounging, some ground driving and hopefully she will make a great horse for a little girl.
So here she is in all her fattness!
Update and Pictures Coming Soon!
I promise to get new pictures up soon.
Scarlett says to say hello, and she is doing great. Thanks for asking.
Happy Birthday Scarlett
I was groomed by my little friend Katherin, she has sweet hands.
I really didn't know what the fuss was about, but I trust all my new friends
so I just decided to see what all this birthday stuff was about.
I got to wear a funny little hat, I didn't mind, I kept mine on the longest of anyone.
I kept smelling this really good smell coming from a table set up in the yard. It smelled good, like feed but sweeter. all my friends were standing around watching me. I didn't get nervous, but I didn't really understand all the fuss.
My boyfriend Bones got a party hat too, he looked silly. Misty and Majesty also wore hats, but I wore mine the best.
At first I didn't want to taste my cake, but it smelled really good. Bones was a chicken too, so I finally took a bite, oh boy was it good.
There was plenty for all of us, me, Bones he is my new mommy's other rescue horse, Misty, and Majesty they have always lived with my new mommy and they are older than me! Cherokee also came she is a really pretty horse that used to be a race horse, wow. Mirage came too she is so black and pretty, she looks like she could be in the movies.
All the other horses got to have some "cake" too, everybody seemed to have a great time.
What a life I have now. This is the best home I have ever had.
Two Months Ago, I considered euthansia!!!
I look at Scarlett now and think that I actually considered euthanizing her.
I brought her home and heard of all her medical issues, I didn’t want her to suffer anymore.
I didn't consider it for very long, although I am sure some people thought I was crazy to try and save a horse so far gone.
Well, Scarlett certainly is not suffering now.
The change in her is so
dramatic.
The underlying health problems were not the reason for her emaciation;
they were a direct result of her emaciation.
She was simply starved.
She eats her grain just fine, she eats her hay without problem and she grazes
with joy.
She still needs to have the
caslicks procedure done and she needs her teeth floated, and those things will
be done in the coming months.
The great news is that the
heart murmur , although still there, is now barely detectable.
I know you are all waiting
for pictures,
Scarlett on April 10, 2008, just two months after coming home.
Six Weeks Have Passed
Dr. Logan King, my fantastic young, single vet from McDonough Animal Hospital checked Scarlett again a few days ago, and he told me to not get my hopes too high, but that her heart murmur was much harder to hear. He also said that he has heard of a few cases like this can correct themselves and that the murmur may very well be from the state of starvation that she was in.
I will just keep hoping and praying that it will correct itself on its own.
I don't normally feed the two lovebirds, Scarlett and Bones, in the barn yard, but I had them out of their paddock and I gave them their feed and here a few pictures.
First, two pans, same feed.
Is yours better than mine?
Okay, I guess I'll eat mine.
One Month Later
I had to ponder the decision as to whether I saved this mare only to
euthanize her because of her health issues or give her a chance.
Well, I am so glad that I decided to give her some time.
She is steadily gaining weight, and she is just a joy to be around.
Can you tell a difference?
I know that Scarlett still looks pretty bad, her baldness doesn't help, but I see a beautiful mare.
I realize that some people have questioned the pictures taken of under her tail, I am only showing them because this really shows her body condition and the improvement.
Three Weeks Later
Her itching is gone but her baldness remains.
She looks awful, but I can see some improvement in her weight. She has lots more energy.
Today, Bones, her boyfriend went for a short trail ride and Scarlett whinnied for him
and trotted around the paddock calling for him.
This is the first horse that Bones has ever shown interest in, I think he's in love.
Day One for Comparison
Week Three Butt Shot
Scarlett still has a beautiful face, even if she is hairless.
A Little Itchy
Scarlett at the Sale Barn - The Night She Was Rescued
The pictures say it all. These were taken at the sale barn, before she was brought home. Keep in mind she was ridden through the sale with a rider and a western saddle. I can't imagine how painful the girth must have been, because the next day the edema on her underside was sore to the touch.
Notice the underside of her belly, the bulge you see is the ventral edema, it was very painful for her.
