Boggle- USA bound!

[Michen]

Thank you xx

I haven’t cried like this in 7 years and that was when I lost Basil, the tears just won’t fricking stop!! I’m sure they have to run out soon

 

[Sealine]

Only just caught up with this after looking at your fab photos from the other day. Sending you both lots of positive vibes. I have everything crossed for Boggle.

Don't beat yourself up about this. You're a fantastic owner.

 

[Fraggle2]

You are the best owner Boggle could have. You have done nothing wrong, and gone above and beyond for him.
Sending healing vibes for him. And hugs for you.

 

[Michen]

Thank you so much everyone. Your messages are all massively appreciated. I will update as soon as I have one, just dropped my truck and trailer back at the barn and feel like a zombie. Definitely can’t stomach food but a Starbucks hazelnut hot chocolate seems to be going down ok!

 

[AmyMay]

Do you have insurance for him in the US?

 

[DressageCob]

Sending all the vibes in the world.

Also sending a small slap to say this is absolutely not your fault so stop torturing yourself with that type of thought.

 

[Michen]

Do you have insurance for him in the US?

No, I tried a couple of insurers but got denied! Too much history and not a high enough value. He does have Colicare through a gut supplement I give him, which is up to 15k for surgery. Nothing for a medical colic.

Sucks as if he was in the UK he’d be covered but honestly, he can have every penny I have I just want him better.

 

[Michen]

I guess I just feel like I did this to him by bringing him here. Obviously I wanted him with me but I also genuinely thought the best place for him was with me, because he’s not a simple chap. I don’t mean that in an arrogant no one can look after him as well as I can way, but I do know him inside out. So I didn’t feel like bringing him here was selfish at the time. Maybe I was kidding myself.

Except since he’s been here I’ve had to treat for ulcers, he’s fallen out hacking, and now this. So I feel like I’ve got it very, very wrong. Not once in the UK did he have any type of colic.

 

[DressageCob]

I guess I just feel like I did this to him by bringing him here. Obviously I wanted him with me but I also genuinely thought the best place for him was with me, because he’s not a simple chap. I don’t mean that in an arrogant no one can look after him as well as I can way, but I do know him inside out. So I didn’t feel like bringing him here was selfish at the time. Maybe I was kidding myself.

Except since he’s been here I’ve had to treat for ulcers, he’s fallen out hacking, and now this. So I feel like I’ve got it very, very wrong. Not once in the UK did he have any type of colic.

If you hadn't have taken him there then he may have injured himself in the field, escaped and ended up on the road, got sycamore poisoning, colicked for any reason at all...you get the idea. Linking it to the move is far too remote. If this happened immediately after the journey then maybe you could link the two, but not now. He has been there for months and has had an absolute blast so far.

This is a mere blip and could happen to anyone at any time.

My horse colicked last February in the middle of the morning, in normal weather, with his normal feed, normal amount of water, normal activities etc. He was just in his usual routine and got a small intestine twist. That's the thing with colic, it can't be predicted. After his surgery I asked the surgeons and my regular vets what I can do to prevent another colic. They said they'd be rich if they could figure out what exactly causes colic and how exactly to prevent it.

The mind naturally goes to "what did I do wrong" but that's because the mind is cruel. This isn't on you at all. The best thing for him was to stay with you. As you say, he isn't a simple chap. I doubt he would have adapted to a new (and dare I say less understanding) owner.

 

[Trouper]

Please stop beating yourself up about it all. He could have had an accident, come down with something nasty here just as easily as in the States and then you would have been an ocean apart.

You're on the case, he is getting all the care he needs - the rest we just have to leave in the lap of the gods. Don't wreck yourself fretting about it all when all you can do now is leave it in the hands of the vets and be there for him when it is your turn.

 

[Caol Ila]

Echoing what Trouper and DressageCob said. Any of those things could have happened in the UK. Blaming it on the move is easy to do, but it's a remote link to make, and you will drive yourself crazy with it. But I know it's easier said than done to banish the "I should haves" from your mind.

 

[ycbm]

I guess I just feel like I did this to him by bringing him here. Obviously I wanted him with me but I also genuinely thought the best place for him was with me, because he’s not a simple chap. I don’t mean that in an arrogant no one can look after him as well as I can way, but I do know him inside out. So I didn’t feel like bringing him here was selfish at the time. Maybe I was kidding myself.

Except since he’s been here I’ve had to treat for ulcers, he’s fallen out hacking, and now this. So I feel like I’ve got it very, very wrong. Not once in the UK did he have any type of colic.

Yeah, cos horses in the UK never get ulcers, fall over or get colic, do they? Stop it Michen! That's an order.

You did nothing wrong.

 

[scats]

You haven’t caused this at all, it’s just one of those things. What’s to say he wouldn’t have colicked back at home? Or fallen over at home?
You can beat yourself up forever over trying to find a cause for it, or blaming yourself, but sometimes you just have to realise it’s one of those things.
I hope he’s feeling more comfortable xx

 

[Sealine]

I don't know if this will make you feel any better but a few years ago I called the vet one Friday evening as my horse had colic symptoms. He had a very high temperature and heart rate and was immediately admitted to the RVC as an emergency with suspected peritonitis. He spent two days there having all sorts of tests but they never did find what was wrong. I now look back and jokingly refer to it as his 'expensive spa weekend' but it was very stressful at the time. He's never had colic before or since and no re-occurrence of these symptoms either.

I'm praying Boggle is back to himself soon.

 

[SEL]

I guess I just feel like I did this to him by bringing him here. Obviously I wanted him with me but I also genuinely thought the best place for him was with me, because he’s not a simple chap. I don’t mean that in an arrogant no one can look after him as well as I can way, but I do know him inside out. So I didn’t feel like bringing him here was selfish at the time. Maybe I was kidding myself.

Except since he’s been here I’ve had to treat for ulcers, he’s fallen out hacking, and now this. So I feel like I’ve got it very, very wrong. Not once in the UK did he have any type of colic.

Seriously he could have got colic at home though!

Can you phone the vets and see how he's doing?

 

[ozpoz]

Sending every good thought for you both and I hope you hear good news very soon! Xx

 

[Red-1]

I guess I just feel like I did this to him by bringing him here. Obviously I wanted him with me but I also genuinely thought the best place for him was with me, because he’s not a simple chap. I don’t mean that in an arrogant no one can look after him as well as I can way, but I do know him inside out. So I didn’t feel like bringing him here was selfish at the time. Maybe I was kidding myself.

Except since he’s been here I’ve had to treat for ulcers, he’s fallen out hacking, and now this. So I feel like I’ve got it very, very wrong. Not once in the UK did he have any type of colic.

I agree with all the others, it wouldn't matter where he was, sometimes things just happen. Rigsby got colic and he was here, home, with me. Sometimes it just happens. He was lucky, like Bog, in that I called the vet when the only symptom was that I saw him lying down while there was hay left. Rigs lying down for an afternoon snooze is situation normal, but NEVER when there is food left. The vets thought I was a little crazy calling an emergency visit for a horse who had no symptoms even when they arrived, he even had correct number of normal poos, TPR normal, no pawing.... I insisted on a full colic work up though, and when she stuck her hand up his a$$ it was apparent he had a blockage. Like you, I just had that feeling.

You have done nothing wrong. Bog is just putting you through the mill and fingers crossed it will just be an expensive spa weekend. He is very lucky.

 

[nagblagger]

Fact - your horse looks in superb condition, he is fit, healthy and looks happy, energetic just a few days before, jumping etc
Fact - you knew something was wrong and got the vet immediately , other people would have still be in bed.
Fact - even though seemed better, 'he was not quite right' so you took him to horsepital.

If you were reading this about another poster would you blame them? Of course not, YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME, if anything your prompt treatment and intervention probably saved his life.
Please stop feeling guilty, we are all rooting for him.
Sending virtual hug.

 

[Hallo2012]

you've done nothing wrong.

ulcers-many many horses have them and many people ignore them but you did not.

fall-horrible freak accident,outside your control.

colic- could be a thousand reasons and all are unlikely to be related to your care.

 

[Honey08]

Stop being so hard on yourself. You don’t know what it is yet, or what caused it. And he’s looked perfectly happy and incredibly healthy on a fantastic yard while he’s been there. You need some sleep and a hug.x

 

[Michen]

Crying again! Thank you, all your messages are so comforting. Really, truly the best side of HHO.

I figure they have an order in which they do things with rounds, tests etc so although it’s torture, I am going to wait for them to ring me at the time they said. Unless they haven’t rung by 9.05 in which case I’ll be picking up the phone

 

[Caol Ila]

It's ten past eight there, so hopefully Michen (and HHO) will have an update in about an hour.

 

[Michen]

I don't know if this will make you feel any better but a few years ago I called the vet one Friday evening as my horse had colic symptoms. He had a very high temperature and heart rate and was immediately admitted to the RVC as an emergency with suspected peritonitis. He spent two days there having all sorts of tests but they never did find what was wrong. I now look back and jokingly refer to it as his 'expensive spa weekend' but it was very stressful at the time. He's never had colic before or since and no re-occurrence of these symptoms either.

I'm praying Boggle is back to himself soon.

Gosh it does! That would be the best possible outcome. Thank you.

 

[equinerebel]

The thing with animals is they can't tell us. So when things go wrong, we often have no idea why and are left wondering if it's something we did wrong. It's usually not, but the human mind craves answers and it's usually easier to blame ourselves. Sometimes, things can go catastrophically wrong and even the vets are left not really knowing why - that happened recently with my dog. It hurts to not know why, but I have to make peace with the unknown.

This is not something you did to him, it's just something that has happened. I don't know you, but you're clearly doing an absolute stellar job by him. Please don't blame yourself, you're doing everything right.

I am sending all positive vibes and hope he is back with you very soon

 

[Squeak]

Only just caught up with this, crossing absolutely everything for Bog and hoping for a good update any minute.

 

[Ratface]

The thing with animals is they can't tell us. So when things go wrong, we often have no idea why and are left wondering if it's something we did wrong. It's usually not, but the human mind craves answers and it's usually easier to blame ourselves. Sometimes, things can go catastrophically wrong and even the vets are left not really knowing why - that happened recently with my dog. It hurts to not know why, but I have to make peace with the unknown.

This is not something you did to him, it's just something that has happened. I don't know you, but you're clearly doing an absolute stellar job by him. Please don't blame yourself, you're doing everything right.

I am sending all positive vibes and hope he is back with you very soon

You have always given him the best possible care that £££$$$ can buy.
We all know that our animal companions are potential/actual/ disasters/money pits. My horse is uninsurable as he's aged out of his NFU insurance. The monthly insurance for my cat, a previously unwanted middle-aged ample personage, costs more than Mr. Horse's regular farrier's bill.
You are a good, careful and knowledgeable owner. You're doing your best. Boggle is having expert care.
Waiting is the worst bit. Whatever the outcome, you will do what's best for him.
Prayers going up for both of you.

 

[SashaBabe]

Fingers, toes and paws crossed for a positive outcome for Boggle. Gentle hug for you. x

 

[Kunoichi73]

I can't say anymore to you than what's already been said. You have done everything humanly possible to look after Boggle. These things happen, animals get sick, fall over etc. We're all routing for Boggle. Fingers crossed for a positive update.

 

[Michen]

At what point can I get cross? I rang at 9am to give them money. Told them I had a 9.30 meeting (which I then moved when it got close to that and they still hadn’t called). They specifically said I would be updated at 9am and it’s now nearly 10 and I haven’t had an update on my horse for 14 hours. I don’t want to be that annoying owner but ffs.

 

[Michen]

Both of the vets on admission (nights) have left despite a promised update.

Baffling.