Maja's Muse: monarch

Friday, August 12, 2011

My poor boy!

Faithful Simba keeping watch over his brother!

Poor Monarch, day 2 of his "possibly injured Gastrocnemius Tendon" just above his hock... I'm hoping the vet's diagnosis is "exaggerated"! I found Monarch in between night shifts out in the pasture with a hock swollen to twice it's normal size, a very small puncture wound to the outer aspect of his upper hock and completely lame! A vet visit later..... some new care! Every night he gets a comfy new bed of straw, feed and water. He gets a daily I.M. injection of Excenel (antibiotic), his puncture wound flushed with diluted betadine, and at least twice daily a new charcoal poultice to his wound. I also hose his hock and leg down with cold water for at least 20 mins. per day now. Initially it was a lot more often. He also gets some "Bute" to help with pain if he's showing signs of it. He has been an absolute doll for his care. I don't even have to halter him. He stands perfectly still while I jab him in the neck, or wrap his leg with dressings. He wraps his head and neck around me as if to say "thank you". Monarch is such a lovely horse!!!!!! I love him.

Poor sweetie... obviously in discomfort here. He's MUCH better now.

UPDATE! Day 4: Monarch is weight bearing on his leg and during the day is out in our smallish winter paddock. I can hardly believe how he's using his hind leg already - much sooner than I expected! I'm really feeling hopeful ****! His swelling is WAY down... things are looking better for sure. After the devastating news.... Oh I hope..........

Monday, August 1, 2011

In The Saddle Again!

How wonderful to be riding again! My ribs seem to have healed up nicely and for the rest of the summer I will hopefully be spending more time in the saddle. Monarch is back from his 30 days of "boot camp" and I had my first ride on him. He was quite well behaved, but I didn't ask him for much. Simba on the other hand was being a bit of an egghead and bucked a few times when I pushed him... He's also normally very good, but I think having his buddy Monarch back home has given him a bit more of an attitude again. I'm sure I'll get that out of him soon :~)

I Love....

Honest and loyal friends, the warmth and love of family, a meal cooked with passion, a warm winter fire, my two lovely boys, my incredibly loyal little dog, other peoples art, an interesting idea, fresh flowers, a quiet reflective walk, the sound and smell of the ocean, the thrill of a great ride on a horse or bike, my Tiki cruiser, roasting marshmallows by a campfire, singing my heart out in the middle of nowhere, the breathless beauty and grandeur of horses, a sheep curiously looking you in the eye, exploring near or far, peoples stories, interior decorating and style, other people's individuality, freedom, trusting and being trusted, blingy things, artsty things, silky bed sheets, the wonder of nature, mucking out stalls, mushy romance, using tools, owning tools, building things, funny people, the sound of a pencil on paper, a deep sleep with good dreams, funky jewelry, great conversations, great _ _ _, doing not just talking, funny or beautiful greeting cards, handwritten letters via snail mail, a view, orange, maps and globes, being in or on the water, staring at the stars in wonder, sand between my toes, the warmth of the sun on my body, grasses rustling in a wind, the adventure that is life and so much more!!!