3 and a bit weeks picture montage...

"See I can nurse all on my own!!"

A close up of his eyes... His condition is: Microphthalmos or a small eye is a common ophthalmic congenital defect in the foal.

He LOVES being scratched... he'll stand for hours and just enjoy. 

(he looks just so damn cute in this one below)

and try to scratch back... 

                                                                  On the rocks.... oops...

and off the rocks.... thats better!

Just one more because he looks so damn cute in this one...

and you can see the blind horse head tilt.

I actually had a hard time getting photos because he was following me, which is one of the first times he has.  Finally his hearing is starting to really tune in to specific noises, like feet walking in mud... :)



I'm a bad blogger...

I've been swamped with work and horses, but I've finally found some time to sit down and write this post. 

The little dude has been doing GREAT!! I'm pleased to announce.  He is getting really big, I'll try to get some new pictures for you.  He's starting to look more and more like a normal, non blind foal.  His circles are becoming less and less, however I doubt they will ever go completely away.  He doesn't have as much of a head tilt, and he is way more respectful towards his handlers!!

He's is finally starting to become more affectionate, he's cuddling with me a lot more now, he's less scared when I walk into the stall or up to him.  And he's just freakin cuddly!!! I can snuggle up to him when he's laying down, he no longer jumps up in fear, and now he'll lean into me, as well as groom me.  He is most certainly Mr. personality though.  A true character in every sense.  He's so playful, and rambunctious.  Although he no longer is running into things as badly. 

I don't really have anything major to report on so maybe that is another reason you haven't heard from me in a while. 

They have had to stay confined to a stall a little more than I would like due to all this crappy weather we've been having.  But he deals well.  Mom on the other hand is starting to look a little frustrated about her smaller than normal confines.  I think I may have to consider the idea of getting him a play mate earlier on and weaning him a month or 2 earlier than I would a normal foal. 

He has been wearing a foal blanket lately due to the sudden changes in weather (thank you Shannon) and he's grown so much that he has almost outgrown the blanket that he's only been wearing for a little over a week!! crazy!! 

We've had to have a few lessons, and I know with him, they are going to have to be an ongoing thing, and much more frequent than an average foal.  We've had to really work on touching him behind his butt, and back legs, he has some rather big opinions on that one.  Tony has helped a bit in holding him while I picked up his back legs, he got over that one surprisingly quick.  However tony thinks it's funny that he tries to kick out when you touch him on his bum, not really helping me so much on that one but oh well.  It's funny for now, but not for long as he continues to grow as fast as he is. 

I'll get more pictures soon... thanks for staying tooned... :)

Just a few links to what some blind horses are capable of.

I thought you might like to see a few links to some very capable blind horses. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFl8JK6QHGM&feature=player_embedded#at=261

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Y_lW9JqLrYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9SBX3L-bZg&feature=player_embedded

Finally!!

It's been 3 days in a row that he has been out in his new field.  He didn't go out on Sunday because it was just pouring rain all day long! I also turned the power on to the electric fence that is around the top of the fencing because I found that he would run into the fence then stand and push into it constantly.  His ears would touch the wire but because it wasn't live he would just shake his ears, and continue to push back on the fencing. So on Monday the power went on, and out we went.  I walked with him around the perimeter again for about 5-10 min to ensure he got the idea, and it made a difference.  Finally he would turn and get away from the fencing a lot quicker.  He is unfortunately not the fastest learner out there, but I'm pleased to say that is he finally starting to get the routine. 

He is walking beside me much nicer and straighter, and he's starting to pay attention to noises, and what he feels under his feet.  He's looks like he is slowly starting to plot out his field, and when he wants mom he will call for her, listen for her and finally walk in the right direction.  Before he would just run in circles instead of exploring.  I feel so much more confident about him today.  He was just so cute when I put him out, he very quickly moved off the stone, he wasn't running in tight circles like a reining horse, and he was looking for mom.  I even saw him napping outside which I haven't seen before.  He doesn't act as stressed out now, and he's finally starting to chill out.

When we go back inside, he just trucks along beside me bumping into me along the way.  He's starting to get accustomed to the sounds of the barn, and he knows when he's going into his stall.  He is also getting better at following me and not just over reacting to every little thing.  He is getting better at waiting, although we did have to have a little lesson about that a few days ago.  I think he's starting to trust me more now, as he doesn't just jump up when I walk into his stall anymore, he'll stay napping and let me come in and do my thing.  He's starting to try his hand on eating hay too.  He knows where it is in the stall and he tends to run straight for it and attempt to eat like mom even though I know it's all just an act right now.  He still thinks highly of himself though, and when he back into buckets he'll kick back at them as if to tell them off, and it's not a fearful thing because he'll keep backing into them and kicking at them with the typical colt type of mentality. 

So my next step is letting them stay out longer and longer as the days get better.  Eventually I would like him out 24/7 but I have to trust the weather a little more before that happens.  I also need to start figuring out what kind of buddy to get him.  I want to slowly introduce whoever/whatever I get for him early enough so #1 mom doesn't try to kill it, and #2 so Will can get familiarized and bonded before I have to wean him.  But I have months still before that has to happen. 

I'm feeling better now because I think the worst of it is over, and I'm referring to him running into things.  Now I just have to keep his routine constant and we'll be heading in a good direction!! 

Done, 2 hurt fingers, 4 volunteers, and many tedious jobs later.

Sorry you haven't gotten any updates, however it's because I've had to really hunker down and get that paddock done.  Practically 2 full days working on with with the help of 3 amazing volunteers.  I just want to send a HUGE thanks out to Chrisinda who came for both days, Anita who helped on Friday, and Shannon who picked up Chrisinda and helped out on Sat.  You all were amazing, I don't think I heard one complaint from anyone, and you all worked so hard.  I don't think Thanks is truly enough. 

It was extremely tedious work, but we got the fence tightened, that was interesting in it's self.  I put a few holes in the fence along the way. oops.  We reinforced it with T posts, and spread the gravel out.  For such a small paddock that task took FOREVER!!  That was until tony showed up and man up the whole operation and finished the last long side in what seemed like a matter of minutes. 

Better late than never right?  Mom and kid finally got outside in their own paddock at about 7 o'clock.  But it was a GORGEOUS day, the sun was out, we exceeded our high by at least 5 degrees, I think more, and I finally got some colour on my face.  So out they went and stayed out for quite some time. 

It was interesting, I kept him on on the line, and walked him around trying to show him stone meant fence... stone fence... stone fence... I don't know how useful I was.  Once I felt a little more confident that he wasn't going to run around like a crazy horse I let him loose.  I would start to think "he's really getting it!!"  he would go on to the rock then turn and go the other way, but then he would run into it again.  All I can say is he better figure it out sooner than later because that poor little nose of his is going to be SO sore!   He did book it once I'm not sure what sent him flying but he bounced off that fence so far!!  This tough love business is painful to watch sometimes. 

I let them stay out for the night... it was warm out, and it's no difference to him if it's light or dark out, and all the weather stations said rain for Sunday with thunderstorms.  So I made their stall up all fluffy, and just brought them in in the morning for a rest. 

I'm slightly worried that his flight instinct is a little too strong..  He literally runs in blind fear still.  I know it's still early, but seriously how many times do you need to run into things before you realize that bolting is more dangerous than just taking it slow.  And he pushes back against his boundaries.  When he hits them, he has to hit it about 2 more times before he thinks of trying another route... BAH!! this is definitely going to be hard. 

However I have to remind myself that his only other option is euthanasia.  And he's not that bad yet.  I just have to give him the opportunity to learn. 

So now they are all tucked back inside for the day, as it's already started to rain, and the thunder has begun.   So for them it's nighty night, even though it's almost 10 in the morning.

Sorry it's taken me so long....

I know I'm over due on these pictures so I apologize to you!!  But I've been completely swamped with work and haven't had a chance to get to the computer to update. 

I'm going to start by getting pictures up and out of the way.  So... I hope your ready there are a few of them.

The first few pictures are from day 1 and 2, the last 2 are from 2 days ago.  Poor little guy's right hock is swollen pretty bad, I think it's from walking in circles over and over again.  I'm going to have to put yet another call into the vet. 

When I see the last 2 photos it makes me just want to scream with frustration that he is blind, because he's just so damn handsome!!! GRRrrrr.... I truly believe everything happens for a reason but some days I just don't get the reason.  (oh and mom has no lead on because she follows us around loose, I was just holding her still for the camera) We've been going for walks in the back 40 acres, she gets to run around like a goof and burn off her excess energy, and I let baby run around on the lead rope, and boy does he try to book it.  I have to be careful and try to divert him when mom gets in the way, but we manage.  I wish I could just let him go, it's got to be so frustrating to be vibrant and healthy otherwise yet not be able to take advantage of the excess energy because you constantly run into things. 

I'm finally done nights now for this rotation so once I've caught up on a bit of sleep, I'm going to really crack down on the paddock.  I'm hoping to have it done in a day or 2 max.  I worked a bit on it last night before work, and pulled down most of the old electric fencing I'm not going to be using, and started prepping.  But I hit a slight road block when I was trying to put up the wire mesh, I've never really put up wire mesh before, and I realized that I can't just tighten it with physical strength (duh right??)  So I had to post pone for the remainder of the day and go on to the Internet and do a bit more research on what exactly I have to do to stretch the fencing properly.  I know now what I have to do, thank goodness for trucks.  I'm going to weave an old broom handle through the fencing, tie ropes to it and connect it to the truck, very very slowly drive it forward until I get the tension the way I want it then nail it up and keep doing that until I have it as tight as I want it, and done all the way around.

This is the relatively the same fencing I got for the little guy.  He'll be able to just bounce right off of it with little injury, I've seen it before with a sighted foal that was trying to run away from me, he misjudged where he was going and he just ricocheted off this fencing like it was a trampoline, it was a sight for funniest home videos.  

I'll post more photos of his first day when he finally gets out of the stall.  Maybe if your lucky I'll video it, but don't hold your breath. lol.

I did have to give him his first needles though, that was an interesting little venture.  He doesn't like needles.  I think I've been pretty spoiled when it comes to that sort of stuff, most of my others have handled needles quite well.  I'm not surprised obviously as he can't see it coming and it genuinely frightens him.  He's freakin strong!  Fortunately he's still small enough I out muscle him, I just hope I can familiarize him enough with all the routines before he gets too strong for me to hold him tight. 

I still work on trying to desensitize him to touch, he's not a fan of that either.  His belly, and in between his front legs are no touch zones apparently.  As well as his umbilical, and scrotal areas, we still have to continue to work on those areas.  At least he is just like his mom in the sense that he LOVES scratches on his shoulders, and the front of his chest.  He's relaxes, and curls his next and tries to groom back.  Quite adorable.  This is my way of making up with him after I stick him with the dreaded needle!! 

Anyways I'm going to bed... Yes I know it's only 8:30 am but I've been up all night...

Nighty night... ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz

The next steps...

So now we are about 4 days into this adventure, and I need to start acting on my plans.  Working nights has slightly kibosh ed my attempts to work on his field, so unfortunately they have had to reside in their stall.  But the weather is crummy, snowing last night, then thunderstorm, then plus 13 then rain and now more rain and it's dropping back down closer to 0 tonight so I guess it's not the worse thing for them.  Mom is surprising me and has adapted quite well to living inside.  She has become the mom I hoped she would be extremely patient with him, and doting, but not too over protective towards us.  She completely trusts Tony and I and will allow us to do anything we want to him.  However she is extremely protective when it comes to other horses so a few times she has almost run him over trying to get in between the wall, him, and the other mare I bring in that goes in the stall beside her.  I don't think she realizes he can't see...  This is not abnormal for her though, she was always the ridiculous one in the field when I new horse gets introduced, but you can imagine how much more intense she is now that it's her kid. 

I've been doing a lot of reading on the Internet, I also joined a group for blind horses specifically, they have been excellent in sharing ideas and giving support, although there are only a few of them it still provides me with a lot of hope.  I did see that there are a few horses out there still being ridden who are completely blind, however these horses were born with sight and then lost their sight afterwards, so it will be interesting to see what/if I can do anything with him when he gets older. 

Some of the things we have already done, is getting a bell for mom, which has already fallen off... Sigh I'll have to get another one.  Tony is a smartie pants, and instead of banking the stall (which I did) up he took the bedding away from the edges.  It made a huge difference, instead of running around in small circles, or bumping into the walls he feels for the edges now and you can see him walk towards the wall, feel the change in ground then alter his route.  Clever men!! 

I am also very pleased to say that I will now have all the fencing I need to complete his field and get him outside.  I want to send a HUGE thanks out to Laura and her family for their continuing support they have given me over the last few years.  Words can't express my gratitude I have to them, you know how amazing you are.  I guess your right I'll never be able to leave the farm now.  Just for a little bit of back ground info, Laura and her Hubby Mike own a wonderful facility in Shelburne ON called Loralee farms.  This place has been my stopping grounds for the past 3 yrs now.  I bring my horses, and client horses to their facilities to break/train.  I also teach my lesson students from there and use their horses.  You can check out their website at http://www.loraleefarms.com/.  I would consider them my extended family now :)

I hope to be able to get the fencing tomorrow and from there, then it's just a matter of buckling down and getting to work.  So if your in the area and you want to stop in to give me a hand I won't turn you away.  All we really have to do is hang up the wire mesh on the inside of the paddock, and re-enforce some areas with T-bars at least until I the ground un thaws and I can get some proper posts in.  I'm going to keep one line of electric wire on the top so Zoey doesn't proceed to lean on it and take it all down, it's totally something she would do.  Then I'm going to shovel (by hand) the gravel around the edges so he has approx a 3 foot barrier around the fence so he can feel a change in the footing before the fence line.  We'll also put some noisy bags, and eventually something more durable (we haven't found anything good yet so if you have any suggestions they would be appreciated)  on the fence so he can hear it.  Eh Voila fini!! I'm excited to get it done so he can get out and stretch those legs of his, the only down fall is it is spring and the mud is not too nice anywhere right now. 

So you might be wondering what would have caused this.  I'm not 100% sure but according to my vet and his colleague the main cause is the mare having a viral infection during her pregnancy.  My other concern is whether or not the EVA vaccine I gave to my other mare may have shedded longer than we were told and she caught something off of her.  Even though they were separate for quite a few months initially after she was vaccinated.  Has anyone else ever had any experience with this?? 

I will do my best to try and get some updated photos of him and get them posted.  He is looking really good, although still very new looking, but his legs are unfolding and so is his back.  He's starting to look less like a new born.  

Thanks for reading!