And we are off - to a not so good start

I was very much looking forward to our first ride on Saturday, as it had been a seemingly eternity since we had a lesson with Roz. Walking down to the arena Ariel noted that Remy had lost his right front shoe. We searched his turnout paddock, but the Florida sand must have swallowed it. Luckily a call to the farrier we used last year -a true Southern gentleman- brought almost instant help: Within two hours Remy had a new shoe.

We kept the first ride easy, of course, just trying to find our sea- uh, riding legs. Remy felt good and it was fun to get back into the swing of things.

Starting out in Florida

Sunday brought a hack with Ariel and Sally, all our boys -and we- had fun exploring the neighborhood. The community of Little Ranches in Wellington is entirely a horse community. The only thing that mars the setting are the enormous powerlines going through. Luckily they are not over Havorsrod Farm (Remy's home for the next couple of months).

Monday started with Remy feeling amazing under saddle, both for Roz (who got on first to get a feel of him), and me. And then came the 'crash': Right after the lesson Remy seemed lethargic, didn't want to eat or drink, he just stood there, a picture of misery. We agreed that the trip was catching up with him, and I gave him Banamine to make him more comfortable. He was slightly better for a bit, but as soon as the meds wore off he reverted back.

By evening I was very worried but we all agreed that he was probably just super tired. I scrambled to get the temperature reading right, my newly purchased digital thermometer showed readings all over the place. Randy called her neighbor and we borrowed an old-fashioned one that showed at temp of 102F (normal range is from 99.5 and 101.5).. I ended up going back and forth to the barn through the night. Worrisome was that there was no manure and Remy (who always says "me, me" when it comes to cookies) had no interest whatsoever in any food or treats.

Roz recommended a vet she trusts and Dr. L. was able to come within the hour. Very nice man, and quite the sense of humor. He said that mainly he functions as pediatrician than veterinarian, and I think he's right on (for lots of people the horses ARE their children). When it came to Remy's registered name: "Well, right now he looks like Remington's end of the trail", and as I spelled my full name he quipped "that's a lot of name for a small woman".

Once we had the names straightened out we had a first course of action: Blood test revealed infection, so IV Antibiotics and  B12, Ketamine for the fever. The full blood panel results are due tomorrow morning. In the meantime Remy had a tube of Gastroguard, and I had strict orders to find things that would entice Remy to eat. Easier said then done, not even his beloved bananas did the trick. Finally, around 4 p.m. this afternoon I got him to eat some carrots and watered Timothy hay. And yay, best of all: We had manure!

Amazing, only a horseperson will understand the happiness you can get out of a fresh mound of manure! (for non-horse people: No manure means there is threat of impaction, which could lead to colic, which in turn may require colic surgery, or even cause death). So: Yay, manure! Now where's the celebratory champagne?? OK, I take a fruit smoothie, still got thermometers to read throughout the night --