Mitsou - rest in peace

Here's a pretty picture to make you smile and know how lucky we are - Mitsou, the little mare in the photo, came to Dreamscape Acres two weeks ago. She belonged to a nearby farmer who didn't take care of her properly and let her founder (like gout, but much more serious in a horse because their feet have solid walls) and didn't correct the problem.

http://www.recoveryeq.com/laminitis_founder_pro.htm

Her diet of beet pulp and grain poisoned her system and let the swelling damage her feet beyond repair. Since all four feet had been affected and neglected for too long, there was little hope that she would recover, but we did all that we could. Our farrier looked at her and we had the vet check her out to see if there was anything we could do.

We did the best we could for her, but the vet said that Mitsou would never recover and couldn't live a quality life on bute (an anti-inflamatory powder) for long - and would be in agony without it.

Her former owner agreed to do the right thing for her. She was put down yesterday morning - she was only 6 years old.

Her last two weeks were relatively pain-free - as pain-free as we could make them. She spent her days outside in a paddock with lots of hay and water (safe food) and no grain or fresh green grass to aggravate the founder - and lots of bute. She was a happy soul despite her pain and nickered and whinnied at us every time we were near, limping over for a scratch and a pat. Sometimes being a party to a rescue doesn't have a happy ending, but you have to hope you made their life a bit better and that they go to a good place in the afterworld.

May she soon be galloping in green pastures; no longer in pain.

Stay healthy, love those around you, and remember that all life is transient, so make the best of it.