Neala was adopted by Kim P. She left for her new home last week. Kim will stay in touch and let us know how Neala does. We're happy she has a new home and Gwen is putting on weight now that she's no longer nursing Neala. Gwen is out with Reba and a round bale.
Tira was adopted by Glenna. Glenna also adopted Einstein the rabbit (now renamed Eugene). Tira leaves early next week - as soon as Glenna's face heals after having her wisdom tooth out. (Ouch!)
UPDATE: Glenna decided to adopt Finnigan too! Both Finnigan and Tira are in their new home now.
We celebrated my birthday on the Saturday after St. Patrick's Day. Mom, my grandparents, Serge's children, and baby Karen came to celebrate with me. Mom made spaghetti, garlic bread and a cake, and Granny brought a green salad with homemade dressing and croutons. Yummy!
On Sunday, we held our Spring Fling open house. The kids made a craft out of horse shoes and various craft supplies that Mom donated.
Jennifer S. made a frog out of pompoms and googly eyes.
Natasha, Miella, Michael and I decorated horse shoes.
Tink let the kids decorate her with the stuff that we had to dress ponies. She's a good dog.
Even the dillyboppers didn't faze her.
Jasper wasn't as keen - Jennifer S. had to hold the hat above his head for this picture.
Miella and Natasha dressed Sneakers in green. He was thrilled to be chosen, and proudly showed off his green hat, blanket, wraps, and shamrock collar.
Miella wore all the trappings, too!
Mom made a cake to celebrate our third anniversary here, and everyone who came to the open house had a piece. Yum! Chocolate cake, chocolates on the cake, and buttercream icing.
Serenity
Serenity is now wearing soft casts on all four legs for a week at a time. They have to be changed every week so that she doesn't get rubs or end up with them moving out of position as she grows.
Although we thought about the Dynasplints - and thought they'd do a good job - they turned out to be too expensive for our budget. Even their "payment plan" put them beyond our reach.
Jeff Sleeth, our vet, came out and xrayed Serenity's legs. She was very good for the xrays - and for me holding the plates in place wearing 100 lbs of lead apron and gloves. Jeff took three pictures of her worst leg (near fore) and showed them to us on his laptop. He saved the xrays on a CD for us, too, so we have copies.
He didn't see any damage to the pastern joint, so he thinks that the soft casts (or the Dynasplints, if we could afford them) combined with stall rest, selenium and other minerals, and a restricted diet will help Serenity outgrow the contracted tendons. He also said that rather than the deep digital flexor tendon being contracted, it appeared that it might be her suspensory ligaments that were too tight.
After a week with the soft casts, her legs look better already! We're really hopeful that this will work.
The angles still aren't perfect, but with hand walking, soft casts, and lots of care, Serenity has a better chance at a good life now.
Her rain rot or rain scald is clearing up, too, and she enjoys a gentle grooming with a soft brush now - or a thorough scratch from a human. She's also finished her antibiotics for the infection caused by the open sores from the rain scald. She was a very good girl for her needles.
The snow is just about gone. Natasha, Kathrine and I spent a bit of time last Saturday opening little ditches to allow the water to drain off the fields.
The boys all lined up to watch us playing in the water.
Spot, Coconut, and Classy had a quiet chat in the sunshine.
Classy must have said something funny - Otis looks like he's laughing.
For sale
Maggie is still for sale. Jennifer N. needs to sell her soon. If you are interested in a beautiful, registered Paint mare, please scroll down to see her photos. Jennifer N. will accept any reasonable offer to sell her quickly.
Thank you!
Thank you to Serge Bergeron at the Embrun Rona Co-op for donating wormers.
Thank you to Glenna for adopting Tira, Einstein the rabbit, and sponsoring Serenity, plus donating hay nets, halters and an automatic water bowl.
Thank you to Kim P. for adopting Neala.
Thank you to Winn for donating a bag of cross-cut shredded paper.
Linda and George W. for donating a new to me used computer and their time.
Thank you to all our sponsors:
Alex for sponsoring Firecracker
Jennifer G. for sponsoring Delilah
Glenna for sponsoring Serenity
Laura and Linda W. for sponsoring Gwen
Without you, we couldn't help nearly as many horses. Thank you!
Thank you too for all the lovely cards for my birthday!
