I had the vet out last Wednesday to check on Rusty's eyes. We had to tranq' him in order to do the eye exams. It is always strange to see a horse sedated - it seems like they are going to fall over at any minute...
Anyway, we didn't really find out anything new. His right eye is healing, very slowly. That is good news, I guess. His left eye is actually worse. There are more ulcers and because of the irritation in the eye, the vet couldn't see clearly to rule out uveitis. So, that is still a threat. *sigh*. The vet did some scrapings in the eye and the tests don't show anything fungal or otherwise amiss. There could still be a virus of some sort as well, but there is no real test for that apparently. We are treating with antibiotic ointment and bute. He seems to be doing ok - he is still eating well and he seems to be himself for the most part.
I was able to lunge him on Thursday night and he did well. He was a bit frisky, but nothing unmanageable. I got on afterwards and walked him around for a few minutes. I'm going to try starting him back into regular work over the next few weeks and see how he does. The barn owner and I aren't sure how well he can see, so we are taking things easy. He isn't spooky or jumpy, which is a bit of a surprise since his vision may be a bit cloudy. He has such a puppy dog personality and it is cute to see him try so hard to be good.
I was able to help the barn owner with some chores on Saturday, which makes me feel good. I don't like being a boarder that just strolls in to ride and then leaves. I know I am paying her to do the chores, but I still like to help out, especially since she has been so helpful trying to answer my 1000000 questions about Rusty's eyes...
I was greeted to this cute view when I drove in - two of the guys were having a rest in the warm-ish sun.
I helped do a few stalls and then hauled a bunch of hay from the storage barn over to the main barn. I like it that she stores the hay separately from the horses - much safer in my opinion... Climbing up into the hay reminded me of my childhood.
Leo the cat was following me around - running back and forth with each load of hay. He got bored of that and just curled up in a round bale to watch... Apparently Leo can be a bit of a trouble-maker. In the summer he likes to hide behind jump poles and jump out at the horses as they go by! Sounds a bit of a risky habit to me - he looks so innocent here...!
I could take 2 bales at a time on the little sled...
I had many onlookers. Notice Rusty's mini-me in the first picture below? This isn't Rusty, but a little appy mare named Kismet. She is about 14.2hh and people mix her and Rusty up all the time. 
More cute little faces... The little paint is my crush Shorty. He always nickers and comes up to the fence for a scratch.
It was nice to get out and do a bit of "real" barn work. I miss that alot being a spoiled boarder!!
Anyway, we didn't really find out anything new. His right eye is healing, very slowly. That is good news, I guess. His left eye is actually worse. There are more ulcers and because of the irritation in the eye, the vet couldn't see clearly to rule out uveitis. So, that is still a threat. *sigh*. The vet did some scrapings in the eye and the tests don't show anything fungal or otherwise amiss. There could still be a virus of some sort as well, but there is no real test for that apparently. We are treating with antibiotic ointment and bute. He seems to be doing ok - he is still eating well and he seems to be himself for the most part.
I was able to lunge him on Thursday night and he did well. He was a bit frisky, but nothing unmanageable. I got on afterwards and walked him around for a few minutes. I'm going to try starting him back into regular work over the next few weeks and see how he does. The barn owner and I aren't sure how well he can see, so we are taking things easy. He isn't spooky or jumpy, which is a bit of a surprise since his vision may be a bit cloudy. He has such a puppy dog personality and it is cute to see him try so hard to be good.
I was able to help the barn owner with some chores on Saturday, which makes me feel good. I don't like being a boarder that just strolls in to ride and then leaves. I know I am paying her to do the chores, but I still like to help out, especially since she has been so helpful trying to answer my 1000000 questions about Rusty's eyes...
I was greeted to this cute view when I drove in - two of the guys were having a rest in the warm-ish sun.
I helped do a few stalls and then hauled a bunch of hay from the storage barn over to the main barn. I like it that she stores the hay separately from the horses - much safer in my opinion... Climbing up into the hay reminded me of my childhood.Leo the cat was following me around - running back and forth with each load of hay. He got bored of that and just curled up in a round bale to watch... Apparently Leo can be a bit of a trouble-maker. In the summer he likes to hide behind jump poles and jump out at the horses as they go by! Sounds a bit of a risky habit to me - he looks so innocent here...!
I could take 2 bales at a time on the little sled... I had many onlookers. Notice Rusty's mini-me in the first picture below? This isn't Rusty, but a little appy mare named Kismet. She is about 14.2hh and people mix her and Rusty up all the time. More cute little faces... The little paint is my crush Shorty. He always nickers and comes up to the fence for a scratch. It was nice to get out and do a bit of "real" barn work. I miss that alot being a spoiled boarder!!
10 comments:
It's always so nice to have boarders that like to help out once in awhile! Although I had the opposite reaction once when helping out at a barn my sister was boarding her horse at. The barn owner assumed "we didnt think she did a good enough job so had to do it ourselves." How odd is that? We were simply trying to helpful and show our appreciation!
I am glad to hear Rusty's one eye is doing better. Lets hope the other follows suit!
I hope Rusty's eyes continue to improve, even if it has to be slowly.
I'm like you... I enjoy helping out at the barn when I can.
That is great you help out at the barn! I would do that too, I actually like the care and work aspect of owning a horse. Maybe that is because I don't get to do it that often? I suppose if I had to do it for a living, it wouldn't be so fun! :)
I sure hope Rusty's eye gets better and you can sort it out. Good news that you are riding him though!
Good to hear that the one eye is doing better but I am curious about what is going one with the other and hope that it heals up soon... weird that he doesnt know what it is. If he isnt spooky than it seems like a good idea to get riding again...let that boy work off his vet bills :)
I have always liked to help out but like Natarojo, sometimes the owners think I am trying to say that they werent doing a good job...so I always make sure to say what my intentions are! lol... over sensitive horse people!
Interesting that the barn owner assumed she wasn't doing a good job when you guys where just trying to help.
My barn owner has a bad back and she was limping around on Saturday, so I don't think she minded the help too much. I also think that sometimes people turn down help because it would take just as long or longer to explain to someone else where to put everything...
I'm sorry you're having to go through this with Rusty's eyes, not knowing what is wrong is the worst. Big jingles that his eyes keep improving and at a more rapid pace! That's great that he's not spooky or jumpy.
It bothers me that the hay is stored in the barn with the horses- most times right above them:-o, but there isn't much I can do about it, I wish they would store it seperately.
Great pics as usual.
Nice that Rusty's eye is going better. How much snow there is at yours ! The horses do not seem to mind about it.
Nice wintry pics! This is old news, but I don't think I ever mentioned how much I love your current banner pic. It's so crisp and awesome. :)
Maybe Mae - thanks...I needed a winter banner pic up there.
Glad to hear that Rusty is still progressing some what.
I used to do the same thing when I boarded. I would help out all the time. I never expected anything in return I just had fun helping out and doing something useful with myself.
I used to work my little butt off with my horses when I lived at home - boarding was a real change for me.
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