Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill Team

hi All- sorry about the delay in Kal pictures- it has been really hard to get out to the barn during daylight hours to take decent pictures! These are not very good, but you can see the progression.

In other news- Kal had his hooves trimmed, teeth done, and has been dewormed. He’s slowly gaining his health back, and we’re so happy and proud of him.

Here you go…a 5 week comparison:

At Intake 10/23/2011

5 Weeks Later at 11/29/2011

At Intake 10/23

5 Weeks Later 11/29/2011

Way to go, Kal!

Kal is doing well. He participated in a ground work clinic last week. He’s also picking up his weight at much faster rate now, and enjoying his time doing light ground work actitvities and turnout.

Week 1 to week 3 comparison

Oct 23 at Intake

Nov 13

Oct 23 Intake

Nov 13

Kal, upon arrival on 10/23/2011

Kal, 1 week later on 11/2/2011

Kal got some attention last night He stood in the cross ties (and really did just stand there- no funny business). I clipped the straggly old-man ear hairs (but left the bulk of it for winter), clipped his bridle path smooth, and gave him a good grooming. He LOVED it.  Picked his hooves, detangled his mane and tail, and hand walked him around.

I also measured Kal at 15.1 and 1/2, so just under 15.2 hh. At the butt, he is over 15.2hh, so butt high by about an inch. I suspect, as I have seen with horses who did not get adequate nutrition during their growing years, that he may even out once his body can catch up. Even though he is 5, he may still grow – I have seen this a lot of times. hopefully he will even out!

I am planning on taking weekly photos of Kal to document his rehabilitation progress. In this week’s photo there is some progress, but not much. Note to readers, do not expect to see huge changes immediately. Horses like Kal take several months to start looking healthy. In this way, slow and steady wins the race. This is due to many things.  The refeeding process is a slow, methodical system. It involves feeding small amounts of forage several times per day, and over a period of weeks, adding to the pile to the point where he is getting the full amount for the size he should ultimately be.  Kal has to work up to receiving increasing amounts of calories- if not done carefully, his body could shut down and we’d lose him. This is best done by experienced horsemen, at the direction of a veterinarian.

Additionally, Kal needs his teeth floated and needs to be dewormed- both things that will ultimately help make him healthy, but also need to be done carefully and at the right time.

Once these things can be addressed, and is able to consume the correct amount of food to meet his nutritional and caloric needs, he will begin to gain weight, and generally look healthier. I predict that by February/March of 2012 he will look like a real horse.

In the mean time, I hope you enjoy following this blog. This is intended to be a chronicle, but also an opportunity to educate those who may have little experience in rehabilitating a neglected horse.  If you have any questions – post them on the comments, I am happy to answer!