I just bought my first cob! Introduction + feed advice + photos!

[AmyMay]

Really hope everything (literally) continues moving in the right direction xx

 

[teacups]

Just seen that Rigsby is not well - will cross fingers and toes…

….and from now I am going to add some hot water to the horse drinking supply whenever it is icy, just in case.

Hope he continues to improve, poor Rigsby.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

Really hope he keeps improving and things keep moving in the right direction.

 

[Miss_Millie]

It seems positive that he has passed some poop, I've been thinking of you both all day, keeping everything crossed for your lovely boy.

 

[ycbm]

Vet has just left, this morning he was 50/50. This lunchtime it was a bit brighter at 60/40 in his favour.

This visit, he has done three of these...

View attachment 83479

Not big, but throughput nonetheless.

He has been examined again, the blockage has moved a bit more and is softer again.

He has been tubed again, a full bucket with added paraffin.

His asthma is making it tricky to move the tube at all, so it is staying in overnight, stuck to a tight headcollar, with a muzzle over.

As she left, she says it is now as much as 65/35 in his favour.

It is brighter, but he is still a very sick boy. Seems a long time until 9.30 tomorrow for his next tubing. Her does have a water trug, so I guess theoretically he could drink with the muzzle, tube and halter in place, but I don't suppose it is inviting.

Fingers and toes crossed!

That looks promisingly soft Red, very hopeful now.
.

 

[Bradsmum]

Just rechecking and pleased to see there has been some improvement so hoping that continues. Hang on in there Red-1 you are doing a great job. Come on Rigsby let us all relax!

 

[rabatsa]

It is going to be a long anxious night for Rigsby. Fingers crossed that more poo emerges and the blockage passes through.

 

[Caol Ila]

Just back online. I'm glad things are looking a little more positive. Hopefully they will continue in that direction!

 

[Charley657]

Just seeing this. Come on Rigsby you can do it. Such a worrying time for you @Red-1

 

[Red-1]

Just back in, been walking him to take advantage of his water-bloated state to try to get some movement - some splats emerged. He has also had a massage. He is feeling very sorry for himself.

 

[chaps89]

Keep checking this thread, partly with dread admittedly but glad that he is so far improving, hope it keeps going that way! Poor Rigsby and poor @Red-1

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I've only just seen this thread - had a busy couple of days - I'm pleased to see that he seems to be going the right way. Fingers crossed the improvement continues.

 

[Sam_J]

Only just seen that Rigsby is poorly. What a worry, but what a great owner you are Red-1! Sending lots of positive vibes your way and keeping everything crossed for more improvement.

 

[Red-1]

I am just glad I have a wonderful husband and a wonderful boss. No pressure to do anything other than see to Rigs.

 

[J&S]

I just want to send best wishes. I have been through this a couple of times and quite understand the tension it puts you under. It will be a long night but I do hope you will have the best outcome.

 

[SEL]

Keeping everything crossed - the waiting is awful xx

 

[Red-1]

I spy more splats...

Going to be a long night!

 

[ycbm]

Looking good!

 

[Red-1]

Been for a 9pm walk. There were a few more splats in the stable and he tried to drag me to the haynet in the arena (waiting for Homer in the morning).

Mr Red is taking first watch. I will try to get some sleep.

 

[ycbm]

I will try to get some sleep.

Good luck with that!
.

 

[AmyMay]

Good luck. We’ll all be checking in xx

 

[Red-1]

Poor Mr Red. We split the 2 hour shifts, so we could get 4 hours in bed at a time. Each time it was my turn, Rigs was standing perfectly to zoom in the cctv and have a look-see. I could see perfectly that the bung was in place.

Sadly, each time it was Mr Red's turn, Rigs was standing in the wrong place, the bung at the end of the tube not clearly visible, so needed checking. I did offer to get up and do a physical check, being as he is my horse and everything, but Mr Red was resolute, got dressed and went outside to do the physical check.

One superhero husband!

As it is, Rigs was checked far more than every 2 hours, as I kept waking up and checking! I thought the CCTV was just a silly indulgence, I am really glad it is fitted now!

Each time there were more splats. This stable started the night clean!



One of the splats looks like it was jet propelled, quite the longest, thinnest poo I ever did see.

Rigs is still quiet, so I am still watching from inside the house so everyone can get some relaxation time. It is very good news though, as the painkiller will have worn off by now. Yesterday morning, when the painkiller wore off, Rigs was thrashing around. Today. he just looks cheesed off.

I am hopeful that the vet may find the blockage gone when she visits at 9.30. Or, may be need to do one more wooosh through, but then hopefully the blockage will be gone on the midday appointment. Hopefully, at some point today, the nose tube can be removed and we will be able to try to restart his digestion and hope that it doesn't promptly bung up again.

I have soaked a solitary slice of hay overnight, it is soft meadow hay and he can have it, a bit at a time, from a very small holed net. Before that even, he can have some Lamigel soup. Then, another soup, then a tiny bit of hay, and hopefully tiny little bits through the day. I will then be praying for post colic poos.

I am getting ahead of myself though, the blockage may still be there, but he is looking brighter.

Still fighting for Rigs.

 

[SEL]

Checked in to see how he was. You guys have had a loooong night! Very much hoping those splats are that blockage softening and being ejected - fingers crossed

 

[Red-1]

Checked in to see how he was. You guys have had a loooong night! Very much hoping those splats are that blockage softening and being ejected - fingers crossed

I am hoping too! She did say that the blockage was softer last night, and it had moved a bit. There were splats we cleared at 9pm, three splats on the arena on his last walk. Each splat is smaller than they look, as they are flat, but there is a fair amount of splattage on the floor.

I am amazed at how well he has taken it. Hand up his bottom, with a tube up his nose, and being injected like a pin cushion. I tried loading him, walking him, having a human thumper massager on him, he has just accepted everything as help, trusted his humans and done his level best to co-operate.

ETA - Except for walking last night, he kept planting at the hay that is set out for Homer in the morning in the shelter. He wanted to stop there, which is good news, as him refusing to eat was the first sign that we had a problem!

 

[Squeak]

Sounding loads more hopeful this morning. How wonderful of Mr Red to have helped so much and been so supportive. Keeping everything crossed that you get good news from the vet at 9.30.

 

[Berpisc]

Sounds positive so far, come on Rigsby. You guys are amazing.

 

[Red-1]

Sounding loads more hopeful this morning. How wonderful of Mr Red to have helped so much and been so supportive. Keeping everything crossed that you get good news from the vet at 9.30.

Thank you. Looking at my post, the word hope and hopeful appears a lot!

I was sobered that I heard the news that another yard I know, nearby, has had 3 horses hospitalised in the past few weeks, with colic. One hasn't made it. It is a very well run yard, the management will have been faultless. Colic seems so random.

My own vet says that, between my mid-day visit and my 4pm visit, they had 3 more colics come in.

 

[Red-1]

Sounds positive so far, come on Rigsby. You guys are amazing.

Aw, thank you, I have felt particularly useless that past 2 days. He is so lovely and I have seemed powerless to help him much. He did really enjoy his massages. By hand but also with the Equlibrium pad and the big thumper one. I actually thing the thumper one did help, it is super-powerful and a real bone shaker. The sort that goes right through your body.

I know the vet is doing the main work, but I like to think that every little halps!

 

[Mum4b]

@Red-1 What a night! I’m sure you are all exhausted. Mr Red sounds amazing, and I’m pleased you have support.
So glad to hear that things seem to be ‘moving’. I know it’s not over yet, but don’t feel useless, you are giving that boy your all! The way that he is accepting & responding to everything that you are doing for him is a testament to the life & love that you have given him. He knows you look out for him, he trusts you & I’m sure he is doing his best to get better for you. Hang in there. We are all rooting for you guys. x

 

[AmyMay]

Checking in. Phew!

xxx