Re: Is it safe to go to the show?

["Celia Krall" <celiak@pcrs.net>]

Tracey,

We had slight symptoms similar to yours prior to what was going to be our
first 50 here in Gunnison a few weeks ago.  Ended up going, signing up,
paying my $75 bucks, and deciding 4 miles into it whether to try for the
first vet check or head back to camp.  Just a minor cold, but I sure wasn't
going to ask my girl to trot 50 miles (she was snotty, and snuffly, and
breathing hard on the tiniest little hills).  We pulled.  Go with your gut.
 I knew before we started my mare wasn't feeling normal (she was so calm! 
Heartrate was 32!!!!)  She just didn't feel good.  She had been crummy for
about 2 weeks, but nothing you could really put your finger on.  So, I blew
it - but live and learn, eh?

Now, my old gelding is showing symptoms of the same crud.  He went on a
VERY mild trail ride carrying my kid's girl friend, but he started not
feeling good on the trail, snuffling, etc. etc.

If Toc is still feeling good, why not just take him?

Cel


----------
From: Tracey <tracey@tbt.co.za>
To: ride <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Subject: RC:  Is it safe to go to the show?
Date: Thursday, September 07, 2000 7:23 AM

Hi, all.  Am in somewhat of a quandary at present.  Conflicting advice from
all around me, and own mind has been eradicated by masses of boring facts
taken in whilst studying for exam.  Need advice please.


Piglet came down with a "mystery" virus on 2 September.  Temp of 39C, not
eating, very lethargic.  Treated with massive Vit B injection and
penicillin (slight cough, so worried about secondary infection).  Didn't
eat til Sunday afternoon (spent Saturday and Sunday night outside stable,
conveyancing notes in hand, telling myself that I was Sainted person to be
studying and watching over poor ill horse, definitely deserving of Nobel
prize)


Anyway, by Monday pm, Piglet was fine again.  Last penicillin shot Sunday,
and will keep him out of work till Saturday, then do light schooling again.


Toc is very flat at the moment.  No signs of virus apart from that,
although he was coughing a bit when worked on Tuesday.  Might have been
dust (very windy and dry), but not sure.  Pulse, temp, resp normal.  Eating
normally.  Problem is that he tends to fight these things then suddenly
gets really ill.


I had entered both of them for a two-phase show on 17 Sep.  Two novice
dressage tests and a short, training, XC course (16 fences, max height
80cm, total length of course approx 1 km).  Will Piglet be over the virus
sufficiently by then to go to the show?  He has not done XC before, and is
not as fit as Toc.  Should I take Toc, bearing in mind he has shown no sign
of getting the virus?  I have upped his concentrates from 1.5 kg per day to
2.5 kg per day, but haven't ridden him since Sunday (studying, remember!)
and won't ride till Friday / Saturday, depending on work.  If he is still
flat, should I pull out of the show?


My heart says to pull out, my head says I'm being paranoid.  My vet says
I'm being paranoid.  My instructor says "wait and see" and will probably
then tell me I'm being paranoid.  Husband says pull out, but he always says
that as I am Bitch from Hell before a show.  

Any and all advice would be appreciated.  Except for "wait and see".  That
will receive terse response.


Tracey