Thursday, July 10, 2008

Whew! It's Better


Things are better today. Horses are frisky, and the breeze is blowing. The insects have momentarily gone wherever they go when the humidity dies down. I haven’t been able to bring myself to write anything for the last few days because it was so unbearably hot and miserable around here. Yesterday, I lost count of how many times I hosed off the girls. I just knew I had to grit my teeth and push on through, even though every person and animal in my life was so cranky.

I am very grateful that I have a smart, kind vet. After discussing Silk’s allergic reactions, we came up with a course of treatment. We started her on prednisolone for a short time to just break the itch cycle, since it’s systemic and has gotten so severe. I’ve ordered all kinds of salves, herbs, belly bands for fly sheets and other good suggestions that I’ve received from so many of you. I really appreciate your help and concern. I’m exploring homeopathic remedies and local practitioners. Best of all, after only four doses of medication, Silk is so much better.

I explained to my horse that she was going to have to take a lot of these little pills to make things better and asked her to not make it difficult for me. After mixing the pills with molasses, I dumped them in her feed and kept my fingers crossed that she’d eat them. She did without any hesitation. Next time I fed them to her, I reminded her that these are going to be what makes her stop itching. She just wolfed them right down. Thank God.

There’s a book, “Butterflies on a Sea Wind”, written by Anne Rudloe, that was given to me by a friend. Interestingly, Linda Kohanov also mentions it in “Way of the Horse”. Rudloe says, “Life is about being whole regardless of what happens. It’s about a deep well-being that persists though we might not be comfortable at the moment.” I knew, even in the worst part of yesterday, that if I just put my head down and kept moving forward, things would get better. There will be bad times again. Things could even get worse. Really, other than being annoying and uncomfortable, we're all basically fine. This week-end the forecast calls for more of this difficult hot weather. Hey, it’s only weather. I laugh at my friends who sit in their air-conditioned offices and homes and complain non-stop about it. Then, I go out and muck the barn, hose the horses, make sure they are drinking water and carry on.

9 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

I'm so happy to hear that Silk is taking her medicine like a good girl and best of all it is helping her. I'll have to check out that book you mentioned, I love the title,and also the lines you quoted from it. Let's hope the weather stays cooler and less humid for a few days to give her a chance to feel better and keep those darn gnats away.

Mrs. Mom said...

Glad Silk is better! Its so hard when one of the "babies" is sick. Please keep us posted on what works best for you- right now an allergic pony has come to stay with us for a tad, and we are going to need all kinds of suggestions for his tiny little Shetland body...

the7msn said...

So glad to hear that Silk has found some relief!

Gecko said...

I wonder where in the world right now the weather is absolutly perfect. There it's stinking how, here it's freakin' cold and the wind is killing me...and everything else.

There's nothing more helpful than a good, and friendly vet. I had a vet (not my usual one) come out the other day and I just didn't trust him...just coz he seemed too busy for a dirty farmer out in the sticks. He did a good job, charged us an arm and a leg, but it just wasn't pleasant. Your very lucky!!

billie said...

Glad to hear Silk is feeling better!

detroit dog said...

Life is good. :-)

William Evertson said...

Thanks for the Rudloe comment. It puts into perspective not only this weather in CT but our personal goals and the struggle we face to put a step forward day to day. In your case I'm so glad Silk is finding some relief from your efforts. My efforts of the last three weeks involved keeping some ancient printing presses going in the humidity that wanted to rust as we watched and halt artistic aspiration. Best

Nor’dzin said...

So glad to hear that Silk is feeling better.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

I'm so glad for you and Silk that relief is at hand.

And I know what you mean about just appreciating your time in the barn with your horses and other animals, instead of being cooped up within 4 walls and A/C.
The dirst and sweat are all so worth it, aren't they?