Kobeejo eating a bit more. Perkier.
Usually, the vet calls me every morning with a progress report on Kobeejo. This morning, as always, I kept waking early, waiting for that phone call. By noon it had not come, so I climbed out of bed, knowing I had a long drive.
I drove myself up to see Kobeejo, as my usual rides were not available. My mom came with me, which helped tremendously. I am a nervous long-distance driver. Fortunately, the traffic was light. Having my mom to talk to made the trip quicker and easier. I took the highway all the way up, but perhaps tomorrow, if Wendy is not available, I might take I-84 to Rte 20 and follow that way up. It's only 6 minutes longer. Not a big deal and I can avoid the tolls and traffic of I-90.
We arrived a bit after 2pm. There was a trailer parked in the unloading area and the parking lot was packed! Busy day, I assumed the vet had not called due to emergencies (and I was correct).
We had to wait a bit longer than normal in the waiting room and there were more people there than I have seen thus far. Finally, Jason, one of the aids there who has been caring for Kobeejo came and got us. I brought a couple small bags of Kobee's hay from the barn to see if some hay from home might stimulate is appetite. I placed the 1st cut hay (one flake) in a recyclable grocery bag and in a plastic bag I placed some 2nd cut hay he loves.
Finally, we were brought down to see him. I could see other horses in exam rooms and some coming in. Apparently, Wednesday seemed to be a very busy day for emergencies.
When I arrived at Kobeejo's stall, he was standing in his usual location near the back, resting. I took the bag of first cut hay and went into the stall. Kobeejo went right for the hay, shoving his face into the bag. I placed the bag into his feed bin and he continued to go at it.
The tech in charge of Kobeejo (Jason; a very nice guy) took the bag and mixed the 1st and 2nd cut hay. Wow. He was loving it. Jason is the aid who takes Kobeejo for walks and out to graze. He even took a photo of Kobeejo grazing this morning.
Up until today, there was a horse named Otis across from Kobeejo, which gave him company. Otis was there when we arrived. My mom went over to say hi to Otis, but one of the workers told her to "please stay with Kobeejo and not visit the others."
I understood the rules but felt her attitude was a bit harsh. After all, mom was doing nothing wrong... just saying hi from about a 3-foot distance. (Later, the vet and counselor both said some of the workers can go a bit overboard on the rules). So, mom went to the waiting room to sit and read.
Shortly thereafter, Jason came to get me ready to take KJ out to graze. He went to find a 78" sheet that KJ could wear outside. I did notice that, in the photo he took of KJ this morning, he took him out in the cold without a blanket. As the hospital is climate controlled, I want KJ in a blanket. It was windy and chilly. He has been in this warm barn for a week now and is clipped. He found a 78" light sheet that fit KJ perfectly. Not heavy, but enough to keep the wind off.
I brought KJ outside (with Tess, the Social Worker, at my side) and he was happy to be on grass. He was also extremely interested in the owners of a yearling trying to get him on a trailer. Tess and I both agreed we could do a much better job at trailering a yearling. Personally, I have in the past gotten yearlings on a trailer with no issues. Horses trust me. Kobeejo seemed to want to go back to his stall for the hay I brought him, but by this time, they had decided they could not get the yearling onto the trailer, so they brought him into the barn to sedate him. This kept us from going back into the barn the way we went out, so we walked up to the indoor arena, where there was more grass and let Kobeejo explore. He was so determined, however, to get back to his hay, so I had to put a chain on his nose. Usually, he never needs this, but he was fighting me, so I had to.
After about 10 minutes, they finally had the young horse tranq'ed and led him back to the trailer, so we were able to bring Kobeejo back into the barn. He practically dragged me back to his stall. Once I removed his halter, he went back to his hay.
By this time, Jason had placed a mix of KJ's 1st and 2nd cut in his feed bin. Kobeejo went back to it, eating well.
His vet, Dr. Minuto, who I have come to love, came by with the Head of Veterinary Medicine. Nice people. She told me, "I have never seen a 27-year-old horse in such good condition!" I was informed that, because of my exceptional care of KJ, this is why he survived the surgery. I doubt they have EVER seen a 27 yr old horse survive this kind of surgery.
She also said to me, "I would normally tell you what to do to prevent ulcers, but you are already doing everything I would say."
And that is my main concern right now... How does a horse on the perfect diet get ulcers??? That, as Dr. Minuto said, is the "million-dollar question." Horses on 24/7 forage should NOT get ulcers!!! So... what caused Kobeejo's ulcers? And how do I prevent it going forward?
While KJ and I were out grazing, I had Jason replace his water. It looked dirty. He said they placed alfalfa in it. I informed him KJ will not drink anything but clean fresh water. So, while we were out, he cleaned his bucket and replaced it with clean fresh water. This helped a LOT!! Kobeejo, upon return to his stall, stuck his whole muzzle in the water and DRANK a lot. Do I know this horse or what??? I BETTER know him after 16 years of excessive bond and caring for him for those 16 years... plus my excessive research!
The Head Vet told me she has never seen a horse his age who looked so good!! Also, they informed me he is now the hospital favorite! He is SO loved. I must say that they are taking amazing care of him with my guidance. They rarely, if ever, see a bond between horse and owner as excessive as KJ and I. Though I owe them a LOT more money, they know they will get it... no matter what! My bond with Kobeejo exceeds all others!!
I drove myself up to see Kobeejo, as my usual rides were not available. My mom came with me, which helped tremendously. I am a nervous long-distance driver. Fortunately, the traffic was light. Having my mom to talk to made the trip quicker and easier. I took the highway all the way up, but perhaps tomorrow, if Wendy is not available, I might take I-84 to Rte 20 and follow that way up. It's only 6 minutes longer. Not a big deal and I can avoid the tolls and traffic of I-90.
We arrived a bit after 2pm. There was a trailer parked in the unloading area and the parking lot was packed! Busy day, I assumed the vet had not called due to emergencies (and I was correct).
We had to wait a bit longer than normal in the waiting room and there were more people there than I have seen thus far. Finally, Jason, one of the aids there who has been caring for Kobeejo came and got us. I brought a couple small bags of Kobee's hay from the barn to see if some hay from home might stimulate is appetite. I placed the 1st cut hay (one flake) in a recyclable grocery bag and in a plastic bag I placed some 2nd cut hay he loves.
Finally, we were brought down to see him. I could see other horses in exam rooms and some coming in. Apparently, Wednesday seemed to be a very busy day for emergencies.
When I arrived at Kobeejo's stall, he was standing in his usual location near the back, resting. I took the bag of first cut hay and went into the stall. Kobeejo went right for the hay, shoving his face into the bag. I placed the bag into his feed bin and he continued to go at it.
 |
| I placed the bag of Kobeejo's normal hay in his feed bin |
The tech in charge of Kobeejo (Jason; a very nice guy) took the bag and mixed the 1st and 2nd cut hay. Wow. He was loving it. Jason is the aid who takes Kobeejo for walks and out to graze. He even took a photo of Kobeejo grazing this morning.
Up until today, there was a horse named Otis across from Kobeejo, which gave him company. Otis was there when we arrived. My mom went over to say hi to Otis, but one of the workers told her to "please stay with Kobeejo and not visit the others."
I understood the rules but felt her attitude was a bit harsh. After all, mom was doing nothing wrong... just saying hi from about a 3-foot distance. (Later, the vet and counselor both said some of the workers can go a bit overboard on the rules). So, mom went to the waiting room to sit and read.
Shortly thereafter, Jason came to get me ready to take KJ out to graze. He went to find a 78" sheet that KJ could wear outside. I did notice that, in the photo he took of KJ this morning, he took him out in the cold without a blanket. As the hospital is climate controlled, I want KJ in a blanket. It was windy and chilly. He has been in this warm barn for a week now and is clipped. He found a 78" light sheet that fit KJ perfectly. Not heavy, but enough to keep the wind off.
I brought KJ outside (with Tess, the Social Worker, at my side) and he was happy to be on grass. He was also extremely interested in the owners of a yearling trying to get him on a trailer. Tess and I both agreed we could do a much better job at trailering a yearling. Personally, I have in the past gotten yearlings on a trailer with no issues. Horses trust me. Kobeejo seemed to want to go back to his stall for the hay I brought him, but by this time, they had decided they could not get the yearling onto the trailer, so they brought him into the barn to sedate him. This kept us from going back into the barn the way we went out, so we walked up to the indoor arena, where there was more grass and let Kobeejo explore. He was so determined, however, to get back to his hay, so I had to put a chain on his nose. Usually, he never needs this, but he was fighting me, so I had to.
After about 10 minutes, they finally had the young horse tranq'ed and led him back to the trailer, so we were able to bring Kobeejo back into the barn. He practically dragged me back to his stall. Once I removed his halter, he went back to his hay.
By this time, Jason had placed a mix of KJ's 1st and 2nd cut in his feed bin. Kobeejo went back to it, eating well.
His vet, Dr. Minuto, who I have come to love, came by with the Head of Veterinary Medicine. Nice people. She told me, "I have never seen a 27-year-old horse in such good condition!" I was informed that, because of my exceptional care of KJ, this is why he survived the surgery. I doubt they have EVER seen a 27 yr old horse survive this kind of surgery.
She also said to me, "I would normally tell you what to do to prevent ulcers, but you are already doing everything I would say."
And that is my main concern right now... How does a horse on the perfect diet get ulcers??? That, as Dr. Minuto said, is the "million-dollar question." Horses on 24/7 forage should NOT get ulcers!!! So... what caused Kobeejo's ulcers? And how do I prevent it going forward?
While KJ and I were out grazing, I had Jason replace his water. It looked dirty. He said they placed alfalfa in it. I informed him KJ will not drink anything but clean fresh water. So, while we were out, he cleaned his bucket and replaced it with clean fresh water. This helped a LOT!! Kobeejo, upon return to his stall, stuck his whole muzzle in the water and DRANK a lot. Do I know this horse or what??? I BETTER know him after 16 years of excessive bond and caring for him for those 16 years... plus my excessive research!
The Head Vet told me she has never seen a horse his age who looked so good!! Also, they informed me he is now the hospital favorite! He is SO loved. I must say that they are taking amazing care of him with my guidance. They rarely, if ever, see a bond between horse and owner as excessive as KJ and I. Though I owe them a LOT more money, they know they will get it... no matter what! My bond with Kobeejo exceeds all others!!
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