Spring is in the air - and does the Easter Bunny carry horse cookies?

What a beautiful Easter Sunday, perfect weather to ... walk six miles with Saumur, go for a trailride, walk some more, have a piece of chocolate, and walk again.


By the time  Saumur no longer needs hand walking - Mid MAY(!) - I should be fit enough to tackle the Appalachian Trail, all 2,200 miles (3.500 km) of it. Not that I would actually do it, rough camping, NO SHOWERS, is not exactly my cup of tea. I'm good watching movies about it, thank you very much, I'd never be as cute as Reese anyway. The thought of "I could do it" is good enough for me in this case.


JP and I took Chambord and Remy on the first trailride of the year. It couldn't have been any nicer or more relaxing. Both boys played "tourist" (checking the trails thoroughly as they had changed), there was a nice breeze, sunshine, lots of birds, squirrels... the woods are awakening - and so are we!

Chambord can sense food even if it's not anywhere near him. His internal clock tells him exactly when it's time for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack in between.

Chambord: I think I saw the Easter Bunny carrying horse cookies!

So far so good - and I'll be "Fit wie ein Turnschuh"

Saumur is settling in beautifully (knock on wood), he seems to like the routine of 3xday hand-walking, and not being chased away from his hay. Even though there are plenty of hay feeders and extra piles of hay outside, Chambord especially has a tendency of chasing Saumur away from wherever Saumur choses to eat. So now in his stall Saumur has a slow-feeding hay net all to himself (the hay net has smaller holes that require more work as they don't let a lot of hay through at once).


I'm amazed how well behaved Saumur is on our walks, he doesn't pull, and generally just curiously looks around. He is very alert and curious. Interestingly, things that made him spook before, like the big American flag outside the barn, barely get a glimpse. I'm crossing my fingers -and toes- that we can continue like this the next 20 days!


Adding up hand-walking Saumur and taking he dogs for their runs I'm clocking between 6 and 8 miles (9.6 - 12.8 km) a day, and that's just when I carry my phone (it has a step counter). By the time Rolex comes around end of April I'll be "Fit wie ein Turnschuh" (a German saying, meaning being very fit = 'fit like an athletic shoe'). Walking the 4.3 mile course (6.8 km) numerous times on XC day won't present a problem, I'll just have to park JP somewhere - his preference is the Bourbon tasting station!

Settling in at home - and getting homeopathic help

Saumur is one happy camper at home. Well, as much as he can be without turnout. I took a vacation day today to help him get settled and to start the hand walking routine.

He is hungry, eating, drinking, pooping, peeing - what else could I want? He is walking fairly mannerly, but I'm sure it will be more of a challenge in the weeks to come. I foresee a very sore right shoulder (mine).

I had a consultation with the Equine Homeopath today in order to get Saumur more help in his recovery. We added Pre- and Pro- Biotics to get the gut bacteria restored. I also received globules that will help with circulation in the hooves to prevent Laminitis.

After we went finished with Saumur's schedule Sue took a closer look at me and rushed to get a remedy for me. Seems I look much worse for wear than Saumur!

MSU Day 6 - Leaving with (joyful) tears in my eyes

This morning Dr. Gallant called with exciting news: Saumur was doing well overnight, everything functions, he's bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to come home! Yay!


I picked up some cakes for the staff at MSU, JP hooked up the trailer (luckily all fixed!) and off we went. Dr. Nickels came to see us and said Saumur looked really well when he checked on him. Dr. Gallant then took us through the checkout and aftercare. We received three pages of a detailed description of what happened and how to care for Saumur at home.


Saumur was waiting for us in the aisle way, held by a patient vet tech. I put his boots and rope halter on and out we went. I had been worried on how he would be loading, as he is not the easiest loader in normal circumstances, and the trauma of crashing to the trailer floor probably didn't help. Well, let's just say he never got on that quickly onto a trailer in his entire life!


During the trip home I read the instructions more carefully, and when I got to the end of the last page I broke into tears. There was the following note in French:

Un gros merci pour nous avoir donné votre confiance avec votre Saumur. Il est un cheval magnificient et nous sommes très excites de le voir s’en aller à la maison!

(Translation: A big thank you for giving us your trust with your Saumur. He is a magnificient horse and we are very excited to see him go home!)

I can't stress high enough how wonderful the MSU team is! Everyone is tremendously professional, dedicated, positive, and cheerful, from senior chief to the stall cleaning lady. THANK YOU!! We couldn't have had a better experience.

A 'welcome home' scratch from Chambord

Enjoying the first dinner back home

MSU Day 5 - The difference a day makes

Worrisome call this morning: Saumur hadn't passed any manure since yesterday, meaning his intestines were still offended by having been out in the open. Dr. Gallant (Saumur's primary vet at MSU and a wonderful young woman) tried not to worry me too much. She said she'll do another ultrasound to make sure all is OK.  I told her I would bring Saumur's hay from home to see if it helps with his appetite.


Not to do some product placement here, but the Cashel hay carrier works great: I can fit a bale of hay in it, zip it up, and roll it around. It fits into the hatchback of my GTI and everything stays neat and clean, no hay sticking to all the surfaces.


I stumbled into the reception area at MSU, pulling the hay bag behind, only to be asked if I'm bringing the Alpaca (?). Uh, no, I'm here for Saumur, the colic case. Dr. Gallant picked me up and had a wonderful surprise for me: Saumur "without anything" - no IV's, no ice boots, bright and curious, and: He had passed manure, the plumbing is working. Even better, if he has a good night and all is normal I can pick him up tomorrow!


Of course, that fits, after I just lugged 70 pounds of hay to him.. but then, it's just one more part of the things we do for love!

Some fancy foot wear - a bit on the cold side

The ice boots are keeping the hooves cold thus preventing founder.