Nail biting times - and who would have thought??

 Yesterday morning when I got to the barn to feed I noticed right away that Saumur hadn't finished his night hay and he didn't want to eat his breakfast. He was lethargic, and hay was hanging out of his mouth. I took his temp, but at 98.7 it was normal. A vet call was needed. Dr. Ryker suspected choke (something lodged in the esophagus, and thus blocking it). So he sedated Saumur and pushed a tube and then liquid down. It went too easy - meaning no substantial blockage. 

Remy watches over a sedated Saumur

Once Saumur had slept off the sedation I tried to feed him his favorite 'Slobber Mash' - no dice. Outside he'd nibble at grass but then didn't swallow. He also didn't drink. It didn't bode well, and after conferring we realized that it might be time to make final arrangements, just in case. At 26 I didn't want to subject Saumur to a trailer ride (which he still hates) and all the prodding and probing at Michigan State, and then perhaps have him put down there. JP and I agreed that when the time comes our animals will pass on in their familiar surroundings.

 When Dr. Ryker came back he said he had conferred with the lead surgeons at MSU, and one thing came up was SPM, caused by toxic plants. He wanted to inspect the trees in our pastures. And wouldn't you know it: There is a box elder bush. It produces seeds in the fall that are highly toxic to horses, with a mortality rate of over 75% (gasp!). Usually horses don't eat those seeds, but Saumur must have ingested some, and it caused SPM: Seasonal Pasture Myopathy. 

The Banamine injection helped, and later that night Saumur was able to eat some mash and soaked hay. He also drank. When I checked on him later he had also eaten all his soaked hay cubes. A boulder rolled off my chest.

Whew! Saumur has lived in these pastures for 20 years and we never had an issue. BTW, Saumur and I are having our 20th anniversary this month!! 

So, for those of you that have horses on pastures: Check the trees and brushes (Acorn for example is also highly toxic). There are Apps that let you identify plants, such as INaturalist. Believe me, it is worth it!

Saumur resting after his ordeal