SDBoerGoats, HORSE FAIR IS OVER!

[SDBoerGoats]

So it's been a really busy week, what with trips to the vet with Sparky, trying out a loaner horse for William for fair, and lessons every morning for the kids, then working with the showmanship goats. And doctoring Sparky.

I thought that her foot was getting better, I know, it's still a long ways away from being good, or sound. But still, the laceration was closing. Swelling going down. But today, when I took the bandage off, there was a new separation of the foot and hoof and the flesh looks nasty. Got to love my vet, I took a pic with my cell phone and emailed it to him. He called and said I needed to come get a Curasalt bandage and pack the would with it. I haven't figured out yet how I will get that done, since I am sure it will be painful. So after dropping the kids off to the Rockhound Show at the fairgrounds, I got the bandage, did my running around in town and come home, only to discover she only has one packet of antibiotics left. SO another call to the vet, she dare NOT go without antibiotics!
I am getting SOOOO tired, and it is just beginning. Horse Fair is July 13, 2 weeks after, regular fair with the goats. Have to stay in the camper there all week and run home to take care of the other animals every night. I could use a nap right now.....no, I have to get Sparky antibiotics.....

 

[Catahoula]

...and I worry about how to clean up after two baby goats.... You do so much. How do you do it???

 

[SDBoerGoats]

You know Catahoula, I don't know. I took on a lot with 3 kids, 12, 13, and 14. But they are my grandkids and they love staying with me in the country and wanted to raise goats and get to show in 4H. Them riding horses means the world to me, I rode all my life and so did my kids. So them getting the chance means a lot. And raising the goats, the breeding, helping deliver, bottle feeding, doing the chores, it's all good for them. Much better than sitting in front of the TV playing video games!

So it's a lot of work, but it's a lot of wonderful memories for them down the road.

I got the bandage on Sparky's leg...it was kind of closing back up, so I tucked in the opening. This gauze draws out like 40 times it's own weight in infection and bad tissue. So I hope it does it's job and gets at least that much and more.

Monday....will see if he wants to do something to the foot, open it up and clean it out more so it can start healing. Not looking forward to that, for Sparky's sake. But if the cleaning out will help it start healing, then that's what we need to do. I think I will make a cup of tea and relax. Kids will ride again in the morning and they want to go back to the Rockhound show. These kids LOVE rocks, thunder eggs, quartz. They have collected rocks forever, went through my dry creek bed for many summers, collecting anything pretty. I can think of lots worse ways for kids to spend a summer afternoon!

 

[SDBoerGoats]

I'm usually a pretty upbeat person, real positive attitude, and I always think I can fix something or make it work. Well, I'm getting a little run down I guess. Sparky's leg is swollen up to the hock and looks like it's getting wrinkles. I am going to take the Curasalt bandage off here in a few minutes. It is up and down with her, I think it's looking better, then the next day, it's bad. Swelling goes down, next day it's bigger than ever.

And this loaner horse, that the people said would be perfect for my grandson. Things are showing up about her attitude that I do no like. :/A good kids horse has to do certain things in 4H. Back around barrels. Trot over poles. Side pass over poles, open gates, walk over a bridge. So many people think you just throw a kid on a horse and that's good. These horses have to be better trained than many adults horses are, and also have the solid kind of mind to be patient with a kid, slowly do the repetitive exercises a kid has to do and keep their cool. Well, Missy is starting to prove that she does not LIKE to do anything slow and methodical, she doesn't want to sidepass at all and if you insist, she will get snorty. He was backing around barrels, which she did NOT like to do, and she over did, backed her rear end too many steps, and when the barrel touched her on the rump, she snorted and grabbed herself. Sorry, but I don't consider that a good minded kids horse.

So I am feeling really bummed about right now, fair is only a couple of weeks away, Sparky is in serious condition and Missy isn't working out. My grandson's safety and happiness comes first and foremost. Many people say Oh well, he'll just have to wait til next year!
My grandson is not a spoiled rotten child that has everything handed to him. He has gone to fair for 3 years with my grand daughter, woke up at 3 to feed animals, clean pens and then go to the meetings with the judge that he did not have to attend, helped every kid wash their animals, knew the show schedule better than the kids competing. ran the whole parade throwing candy to the kids, and his feet were in soaking wet sneakers on a 100 degree day, and they almost cooked! But he didn't say a word because he didn't want to miss a thing. So when he finally found out he could stay here and get to be in 4H it was like the greatest thing you could have given him. And when I got him that horse, OH BOY! He rode her every day, learned so much, took excellent care of her and all he has talked about is showing Sparky at fair, and how wonderful she was going to do for him. And you know what? When they took 7th place at pre fair, she still was the most wonderful horse in the world, because he said anything they did wrong, was him, not her.

So this whole deal really REALLY sucks and I just hate it. I hate to see him so disappointed and worried about his horse, and I hate him not having a horse as good as Sparky to substitute for her.

Ok, now that I have poured out all my frustrations and bad mood, I am going out to check Sparky's leg and sit there with her and say more prayers.

 

[Catahoula]

I know you are disappointed and wanted everything to go well for William. I am sure whatever happens, he will know how special he is to his grandma and how much he is loved.

 

[elevan]

 

[CochinBrahmaLover=)]

OMG ! I totaly forgot about your journal! Sorry !!

Hope everything goes well !!

 

[RemudaOne]

Thoughts and prayers are with you today. Keeping fingers crossed that the vet is optimistic.

 

[jodief100]

 

[SDBoerGoats]

Just got back from the vet, it is not looking good at all. The infection is raging in that hoof, and it is more swollen and hot. He took off some dead tissue and hoof, then squirted pure penicillin into it, bandaged with Curasorb this time. He said to leave this one on for 48 hours, and if there isn't marked improvement in infection and ability to feel good enough to put some weight on it, that she is probably done. He said her 50/50 chance is getting slimmer and slimmer. At least now I have a time line.........

This is such a freak accident, with no clue as to what she did, I am so flipped out about that, I don't KNOW what happened, and I am angry that I don't know.

Put the breeding harness on Remington yesterday and put him in with the does. Well, apparently SIL didn't put the harness on right, cause it is half off, the crayon is gone, and Remington's knees are blue!

Well, it's 4H ride night tonight, so better get moving towards that direction. I sure could use a better mood about right now. :/