It's raining again!

This was Scribbles last May, after coming home from her training.  She's looking good now that she's back at home, and out with the herd.  Not as round as in this picture, but we're feeding her lots and she's slowly gaining back some weight that she lost after the accident.  She loves being outside, but with all this rain, I'm nervous about the wind and rain.  Luckily she can stay in for a few hours in the am, and then get turned out.  Luckily I have a big collection of blankets, so she's constantly protected from the weather!  She's very unhappy cooped up in a stall all day. 

Today Dr George will come to remove Scribbles stitches.  It's really exciting- I'm a little nervous to have them removed as it's such a sensitive area on her face and really it's just skin on bone.  Hopefully it's all healed well and she'll be a good girl for Dr George.  I have a feeling sedatives will be in order!  I'll take pictures of her before and after her stitches, I'm hoping she'll be one step closer to looking like her old self- or her new/old self!

Happy Wednesday!!

November 4th- another rainy day

This is a cuteness alert- our little friend Kayla on our pony, Buddy.  Buddy is currently residing in Rehoboth Mass, with two little girls and his own pasturemate.  Someday he will come back home to Hudson, but for now he is being properly ridden and spoiled by two little girls and a family who is able to give him the attention he deserves.  The horses we love come in all different shapes and sizes, and he is one of our favorites.  He was brought to our home as a companion, but we soon learned he LOVED children.  As a mother of teens, my big kids just didnt cut it for Buddy. 

Though many little girls locally fell in love with him, sharing him at home took up my weekends and my own time to dote on my big horses.  Scribbles has never met Buddy.  Someday, I hope my younger sister Beth, and her family move back to NH- and Buddy will come home to be my niece, Brooke's pony.  But until then, many years from now, he is being loved and cared for as he should be by two very special little girls.

Scribbles is doing well today.  She and her pasturemates spent the day with rain sheets on and outside.  They were quite content!  I still fret about a tree falling on Scribbles, but hopefully this weekend will be nice and Phil can cut down the most scary trees.  After the accident, they all look scary to me- but Scribbles isnt phased at all!

 She's lost some weight, I'm working on helping her to put it back on.  I think that her body is working hard to heal, so it's using lots of calories in that way.  I went down tonight to check on her, take off her wet blanket.  She was out of hay, so I gave her more hay, grain and hay stretcher-and carrots.  That horse can eat!!  I like my animals pleasantly round- and though she has a lean build, going into winter I'de like a little fat on those ribs.  Her progress astounds us- and I look forward to seeing her get stronger and stronger.

A month ago today

 Tonight I wrote more thankyou's for the love and support from others- friends old and new who wrote to wish us well, and send hope to Scribbles. It's appreciated more than I can possibly put into words, but I continue to try!!

                                                                              

 Somehow my wonderful husband (who has been my love for 31 years) thought to go  online to find our wedding song on You Tube.  Our wedding song brings me back to being 18, and before that- growing up in the 70's in a rural part of town.

We listened to Melanie over and over, and our wedding song is from Melanie's album, StoneGround Words~    "Together Alone".  So for those of you who are old and hippie enough to remember Melanie, and Brand New Key and Lay Down- and on and on- it brings back memories of being so young.  (Thanks mom and dad for my inner crunchy hippie animal loving spirit!!)  

Hearing the songs, it is very sweet and emotional,  as I am so thankful for the support of my husband with his horse-crazy wife- I brought Scribbles home without asking, knowing I couldnt leave her where she was.  Phil instantly connected with her, and we both wanted to save this little horse, not knowing she'de be saved twice by so many!  So as I was deep in thought about Scribbles journey this last month, and how thankful I am, leave it to Phil to put on a song to bring tears to my eyes!

Okay, enough of the mushy stuff...   Back to Scribbles, First picture:  here she is the day of the accident, Friday, Oct 1st standing up with Dr Georges encouragement, then on October 3rd at Myhre...

And lastly,  here she is at home, her first night home with our trusty lab, Max,  to welcome her- and wait patiently in front of her stall to pick up any treats she may drop! 

Welcome Home Scribbles!!!!!



Scribbles, Beckett and Splash

 The end of the day, Sunday.  Tonight I emailed Ellen Degeneres, for the fourth time.  Her and Portia are animal lovers and I know they would love to hear Scribbles story of a horse with such strength and determination.  While I wont be putting Scribbles on an airplane to make her debut on a big televsion show, I just know the story would be heartwarming to Ellen.  I figure she's just been super busy, and hasnt had time to return my emails ;). 

In the middle of this picture, is Scribbles boyfriend Beckett.  He is tall, dark and handsome but loves to roll in a small pile of sand we have in a corner of the paddock. It was supposed to be spread all around, but we leave it there as the horses cant resist a good roll in the dirt every day.  Beckett leaves his clean stall, bedded with pine shaving to go and roll in the sand!!  Go figure.  So his lighter parts, are really just dusty.  Her blanket was donated to our tack sale.  It didnt sell, but needing a light turnout sheet, this is perfect for Scribbles.  Thank you to the person who kindly donated the blanket. 

Notice Scribbles tail and how straight it is hanging!  Just last week she would hold it off to the left, a sign of a neurologic issue.    When we rescued her, her tail  was all scraggly and tangled.  After a good brushing I couldnt believe what a goregous, long and healthy tail she had!  So this is a good picture, of a pretty part of her, her hiney and tail. 

Of course you're all wondering if I got my house totally clean?  No, but I made a good effort, and did a little bit of everything.  Tonight is Halloween, the kids made really cool jack-o-lanterns,  so I put them out on the front porch with candles in them, and hung a candle in a lantern on a hook.  It looks so cute.  I miss dressing up my little ones and walking from house to house- and hearing their  little voices say "Trick or treeeeeat!"

But time marches on, and I'm looking forward to another great week!  Sweet dreams...

Sunday, October 31st- life is getting back to normal.  Scribbles is out with her pals this morning. Yesterday I let her out for a while to move around the paddocks, explore her home again.  This picture exeplifies what makes most of us happy- the comforts of home, good food, friends and family. 

Yesterday I was supposed to clean my house. Phil is beginning to wonder if he has a new and messy wife, because all I want to do is be OUTSIDE with the horses.  So my barn looks great and my house looks like a barn (kidding, there's no horse poop in my house).  As a girl who was born in Vermont, and raised in New Hampshire, crisp fall days are my favorite. I'm a true blue New Englander, and love the cooler fall days, and look forward to winter.  I even started up the pellett stove!

 I took Splash out for a beautiful ride with Caitlin and Karen on Saturday.  It was so much fun, but today I passed on a trail ride in Pepperell to attend to all the catching up IN the house I really need to do.  Im sure I'll sneak outside today to enjoy some of this weather, but I'm going to force myself to put my house back in order while Phil and Adam work today.  Otherwise, they would help too- I'm very fortunate.

Scribbles will savor this fall weather too!  As a horse born and raised in NH- she's very happy to be enjoying this fall day with her friends.

Dr George's first visit since the accident



"I wish I was out of this pen, snuggling with Beckett!"

 Today Dr George, his assistant Ali and his adorable 3 year old assitant (aka Laynie) came out today to assess Scribbles condition.  Laynie is a self-professed horse lover, and told me all about how much she loves horses- and she also really enjoyed Allison's goats, who live with our horses. My children are 15, 19 and 20- so it was a joy to listen to a 3 year olds view of the world for a little bit.  I was so happy to see Dr George, and to show him how great Scribbles was doing- and he in turn made my day by bringing Laynie with him.  Since I was dressed for work, I got to hang out with Laynie and Kelly was nice enough to do the horse holding.  It made my day.

Okay, back to Scribbles.  Dr George looked her over thoroughly, and was pleased, but not surprised by her recovery.  He spoke of how horses are amazing healing machines- and can and will recover from traumas such as this- given the chance!  He changed her eye medication, as there is not an infection in her left eye anymore. Despite her diet of free choice hay, hay stretcher pellets and a couple quarts of grain a day, she has lost quite a bit of weight during the course of recovery.  We are changing her feed to a senior feed for a while, three times a day to give her all the energy she needs to get stronger.  He has such a great way of keeping things simple, calm and is so reassuring.  I am so so so lucky he is our vet, and was there on Oct 1st to help us with the decision to give her a chance.  We're really proud of our horse, and her will and ability to bounce back.  Tonight I told Phil  (on the way to Beaver Valley in Pelham, to get Scribbles new grain) that now that all the scary stuff is behind us I am so assured that we made the decision to help her through this rather than euthanize her.  He said he never doubted the decision, and it's comforting to me that not only do I have his support, but that he loves her as much as I do.

Lots of people suggested that, euthanasia- and when we look at the life in her now, it's clear what decision was right.  No regrets, ever- and I look forward to her continued recovery and eventually riding my little trail horse again.  Those who rescue horses often promise a forever home, not knowing what the future will hold.  We promised that, a couple of years ago, not realizing the magnitude of it and how meaningful it would become. 

So Comfy at home...

Scribbles is feeling quite happy at home, as this picture tells.   

Each day Scribbles is showing marked improvement.  She is getting steadier on her feet, and her wounds heal. Yesterday she would get very upset if the other horses left her sight, so she is exercising herself when she gets worried.  My friend, Kelly, tends to her during the day and I get the evening duty.  Tomorrow, Dr George will visit our farm, and check her bloodwork, and assess her condition.  I think he'll be quite pleased!