Three Pines Farm

She's still holding out on us!  Hopefully it was just from the heat wave; she looks a big more concave up by her hipbones and her teats are a little bigger, so we'll just keep a watch on her and wait.  Again. :)

She got her x-rays taken last week and they showed a long break towards the top of the humerus bone; like we thought, nothing to be done.  She's built a lot of callous tissue and arthritic tissue around it so we'll be starting some sort of supplement for that once baby comes, too.  Will keep updating as things progress.

Yesterday Nate dug a trench in front of the barn and filled it with rock an in attempt to get some more solid, dry footing for Her Highness.  Still a bit leery but very curious, Tyla stood and watched almost the whole time.

...and in the meantime, Shiloh spends a few minutes keeping Tyla company.  The boys have a trail worn down along her fenceline and someone stays in her sight all day. 

From the generous folks at Country Supply comes the Country Care Program...if you shop online at www.countrysupply.com or www.horse.com and enter the code THREEPINESFARM, 5% of your purchase will be donated towards Tyla's medical bills.  And since they don't cut a check until we have $50 worth of rewards saved up, if Tyla is no longer here by the time we get the benefits, we will either use it towards another project horse or re-gift the check to Indiana Horse Rescue or USERL.  So either way, you'll be helping an animal in need!  Country Supply has more than just horse stuff, so check 'em out and thanks for your support!

Talked to Doc Johnson again today; the doctor he had consulted with unfortunately didn't have mobile equipment and I'm still unwilling to put her through the discomfort of hauling on 3 legs with the baby weight, so I had to hit the phones.  After calling around a bit, I got ahold of a very helpful Dr. Feitz out of Princeton (Princeton Veterinary Hospital, 812-385-2733) who will be coming out Friday the 26th to try and get some good films of Tyla's shoulder.  Thanks to Dr. Feitz for being so accomodating and pleasant on the phone, and we look forward to meeting you!

This weekend, Tyla had a 'Spoiled Rotten Princess Spa Treatment' and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Isn't she a pretty girl?

Tyla enjoyed a long grooming session including de-tangling her mane/tail and clipping her bridlepath before settling into her extra-large stall filled with deep, clean straw.  We found some really excellent hay and she chowed out all night :) 

We fenced in a large area of the front pasture so Miss Tyla can have her own good grazing without being harassed by the boys.  She enjoyed it so much that she wouldn't even come to the grain bucket when it was time to go in for the night.  This evening we will be preparing a stall large enough for foaling, and the wait begins.  Fingers crossed for a safe delivery and healthy baby!

The always-awesome Dr. Johnson (and staff!) were able to fit in a visit late this morning.  It turns out that Tyla (we decided 'Lily' really didn't suit her) isn't the youngster I thought she was; she's around 20.  And after palpitation, we discover that she is as pregnant as I thought and should foal within the next month.  Doc doesn't think her shoulder is dislocated, he thinks it's more likely been fractured.  His x-ray equipment wasn't able to give a clear picture in such an odd area so he is consulting with another vet to find someone capable of getting the x-rays we need since there's no way to tell what's going on in there without them.  I had asked about pain meds but with the birth so imminent, there really isn't anything to give her.  I can, however, give her an Equi-spot treatment for the ticks and some War Paint for the flies.  So I guess it's a waiting game until we hear from Doc about the x-rays; we're hoping to find someone who can come to us, since I really don't think she should be trailered any more in her condition (the extra weight of the baby combined with the motion of the trailer would be so stressful on her good leg).  Please keep Tyla in your thoughts and prayers, feel free to stop by and visit her, and check back here for updates!

Things always happen when you are least prepared, don't they?  Last night a young, very pregnant mare was brought to us by a kind woman who got her out of a very bad situation.  We think Lily may have a dislocated shoulder; evidently she has been this way for 5 MONTHS.  We will be having Dr. Johnson come out to evaluate her leg condition this afternoon and go from there.  Lily is very leery of people but once you get a hand on her halter, she's fairly easy to handle (so far).  I worry about the imminent arrival of a baby since she's bagged up, her tailhead is spongy, and her 'mommy parts' are drooping; she does have a large belly, but I would expect it to be larger according to the stage of the other indicators, so we'll have to see what Doc says.  Lily has been in this condition for so long that she has invented new ways to stand and walk.  Lily comes to us at somewhat of a bad time, so as embarrassed as I am to say this, we would welcome sponsors to help with her initial veterinary costs.  We usually wait until we have our own funds readily available before bringing in an animal in need, but we've been depleted lately and weren't expecting another so soon.  Anyone wanting to donate can email me at firebird96ta@peoplepc.com or call 812-354-4477 although we will be waiting until after she is seen by her doctor, just in case the prognosis is unfavorable.  We have a 'feed angel' who will be sponsoring Lily's Strategy feed but are in need of square bales of hay; if you have any for sale (fescue-free due to the pregnancy), please let me know.  Scroll down for more pictures and check back for updates on this sweet girl.