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

[ElleSkywalker]

I just asked him. He says no.

Humm, I suspect I don't believe him ? xx

 

[Roxylola]

I think I'm a bit in love with Mr Red, what a champ he's been. So happy to see the latest news for you

 

[Surbie]

So happy for you, this is excellent news!
Hope you get some decent sleep.

 

[nikicb]

I am so pleased for all three of you!! I went through this a few years ago with my little old section A and it was very touch and go. Such a relief when they start functioning as normal again. Hope you all get some much deserved sleep tonight. xx

 

[Red-1]

Rigs had a quiet night. I was loath to leave the muzzle on as it meant he didn't drink (although he could have - he learned to drink with the muzzle on in summer) but he was determined to chew bedding so muzzle it had to be.

So far this morning, he has had a handful of recovery mash, spent ages licking the dish, has had 15 minutes at grass (still muzzled but he can get some) and is now penned into his patio for muzzle free time.

Baby horse has been really funny, very concerned about his pal. When Rigs was turned out, he went bucking and squealing round the arena. I can only hope he still has shoes

Today will be a mad circle of walking, feeding a handful at a time, grazing and generally fussing. I have, again, in hope, soaked a slice of hay. Maybe today Rigs? The signs are good, he had 6 poos last night. They were small but had formed into a proper bolus, so ever hopeful. He will be almost empty, so 6 is good, I think.

It is a scary time, to get him restarted.

 

[Rosemary28]

Brilliant news Red x

 

[Turitea]

It sounds all really, really good. I am hoping he keeps improving.

 

[palterwell]

All fingers and hooves are crossed here ! Hoping Rigsby has a good day today X

 

[ElleSkywalker]

Excellent news, when is the vet back? I want to make sure I check in and see the updates ?? xx

 

[J&S]

A scary job indeed, but I am sure you will be well up to the task! Have a good day all @ Red1's place. x

 

[Red-1]

Excellent news, when is the vet back? I want to make sure I check in and see the updates ?? xx

Vet is only back if I call. I think the bill will be pushing 2K already. I think they see me as sensible and not afraid to grab the phone if I am at all worried, and they are getting text updates.

They did offer hospitalisation, either as a day patient there or referred to one of the big hospitals. I knew we were not having heroic operations, an a horse with questionable future life quality (EMS/asthma) so referral was not in the frame.

As a day patient, they said it would be cheaper, as they would be on site for the regular tubing. The day patient idea, I wasn't happy with though, I felt travel would have been uncomfortable and would rather pay more for the vet to keep coming here. I think he has had every care and attention, and less stress.

 

[Red-1]

He has relished his 8am handful of mash. Walk out is next.

If he has done a poo by the time we are back, he can have a handful of hay.

He is penned onto the patio, no access to 'delicious' shavings , so I have added a kettle of boiling water to the outside trug!!!

 

[ElleSkywalker]

Excellent news the Red, hope they allow him to have a nibble of hay soon ? Can I ask what the recovery mash is? Having had a horse colic due to snow before, but luckily she was already out in the box so I just dropped her at the vets, and having followed Rigsbys journey am keen to prevent it happening to any others and wondered if the recovery mash was worth having around to dilute down and encourage drinking? Xx

 

[Red-1]

Excellent news the Red, hope they allow him to have a nibble of hay soon ? Can I ask what the recovery mash is? Having had a horse colic due to snow before, but luckily she was already out in the box so I just dropped her at the vets, and having followed Rigsbys journey am keen to prevent it happening to any others and wondered if the recovery mash was worth having around to dilute down and encourage drinking? Xx

Yes, it is Saracen's Recovery Mash. Says it MUST be soaked in a double quantity of water before feeding.

Local saddler didn't have any but said it was basically Speedy Beet with added electrolytes, but the vet insisted I get the actual stuff. When heroic Mr Red got back from his 2 hour round trip to get it, having left work early, I am glad he made the effort as it looks very different. Looks a lot tastier than Speedy Beet. Has little nuts and pellets in, that break down on soaking.

 

[Squeak]

I'm so glad Rigsby is seeming better this morning. What a relief.

That's really interesting about the Recovery Mash. When my horse had a bout of colic a couple of months ago it took him a week or two to properly get over it and it sounds like the Recovery Mash could have been worth a go.

 

[Surbie]

Really good news about Rigsby's improvement. I hope you can relax a little, even though the restarting is scary. Fingers crossed for more proper poo on the walk.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'm glad to see that you all had a better night. Best wishes to all of you for the recovery period.

 

[wren123]

I'm so pleased he's steadily improving.
Hoping for another poo on his walk.

 

[Red-1]

There was a poo when I got out to walk him

He did a nice walk, but when I contacted the vet about a handful of soaked hay, she said no :-(, not until lunchtime. The whole (small, soaked, soft meadow hay) slice will be in little bits throughout the day.

He has had another handful of recovery mash.

Next up is 15 minutes muzzled grazing at 10.30. The delay is because he is procrastinating about eating the recovery mash!

 

[Miss_Millie]

I'm so pleased to hear that he is doing better! You must be exhausted, he is a very lucky boy to have you and your partner <3

 

[Red-1]

Aaaand another poo, this one has a bit of height.



The main man, he is back out to grass for 15 minutes.

 

[Tarragon]

Wow, we are all rooting for you! So pleased he appears to be on the mend.

 

[SEL]

Love a poo shot!

That one looks pretty normal now which is good.

 

[Regandal]

Looking good, that’s a decent poo!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Omg Red, I had missed the last few days and just read through it. How scary ? for you and Mr Red, I'm so so very glad that Rigs has pulled through for you you. I have to admit I was getting quite teary at the thought of you losing this lovely guy after all you have been through.
He is a credit to the love and care you have poured into him and I hope he continues to be for alot longer yet..!!!!

 

[Mum4b]

So happy to see that poo!… & his handsome’s smooshy chops too! ?
You are definitely getting there @Red-1 Keep up the good work Rigsby, your mum needs a rest! Take care x

 

[Red-1]

There was another poo at handful-of-hay time, but it was a bit drier. I have added a warm water bucket to his patio to make sure it stays a bit damp. I will walk him in a moment too, make sure it all keeps moving.

Vets bill has come, £1,618, a bit cheaper than I projected.

Frighteningly, apparently they are now dreading the phone ringing, there are so many colics. She said they have lost more than half of them. I have no idea what is happening locally. Rigsby and I have been lucky!

 

[SEL]

There was another poo at handful-of-hay time, but it was a bit drier. I have added a warm water bucket to his patio to make sure it stays a bit damp. I will walk him in a moment too, make sure it all keeps moving.

Vets bill has come, £1,618, a bit cheaper than I projected.

Frighteningly, apparently they are now dreading the phone ringing, there are so many colics. She said they have lost more than half of them. I have no idea what is happening locally. Rigsby and I have been lucky!

A friend has recently had her PRE at horspital for colic - fortunately OK - and vet said the same. More colic this Autumn than he's ever known and the only thing he can think of is our ever changeable weather stressing their guts - it is a lot warmer for longer than I remember winter as a child. Another friend lost her old girl after a week in hospital. Its very sad and very hard on horse owners when there's so little we can do.

Must be awful for the vets too.

Still keeping toes crossed for lots of poo and you guys getting back to normal.

 

[Surbie]

Frighteningly, apparently they are now dreading the phone ringing, there are so many colics. She said they have lost more than half of them. I have no idea what is happening locally. Rigsby and I have been lucky!

We've had a couple at the RDA, and 3 so far this autumn at my yard - all mild thankfully, and I found a dead older horse in a neighbouring field that looked like it was catastrophic colic - the first dead horse I've seen. The only difference does seem to be the yo-yo weather this year - I've never seen so many before.

 

[Squeak]

Do we reckon there's anything that we can do to help prevent colic?

Make sure we rug accordingly for the weather swings and make sure feeds are damp/ sloppy to try and get more water in to their systems?