Down horse--- now UP horse!

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hal's son was hoisted via the Anderson lift around 2:00 and came out of
sedation around 4--- still in and out as we had to give him quite a bit.
Took us hours to piece the thing together (didn't feel so bad when our
vet told us that Dr. Rick at Alamo Pintado told him it took 5 vets 45
minutes to figure it out). We made lots of adjustments as it seemed to
be made for a much bigger horse.
He is now pissed off over being in the contraption and using his front
legs--- can't go anywhere because of the corner ties. Handling it
remarkably well considering he is a 2 year old-- going three. Still
having trouble putting weight on his hind end-- but then he has not used
it for 4 months so we expected a delay. He is voraciously eating out of
a hay bag and drinking. He kicks his hind legs out--- like he is getting
used to them again. Puts some weight on his left one and kicks with his
right one--- he was laying predominantly in his right side so it must
feel weird to have it completely free now.
We are taking it slow. He has a good attitude--- begged for carrots as
soon as he came to. Just teed off he can't get out of this contraption
and if you saw it, it looks like a cross between something from the
middle ages and Mad Max.
I video'd most of the progress today so I will put photos up on my web
site when I get a minute. Right now keeping close tabs on the boy--- not
afraid of the sling at all. It is very balanced--- a real Godsend.
We didn't have the head support (lost at the vets) and no time to order
so his head is free--- he likes to look at his rear end and try to
figure out what is going on. He even was watching the video with us on
TV as to how to hook the thing up--- wait till you see the pics---
priceless.
Thanks to all. We still have much rehab to do but we have a good start.
Thanks so much to Pat Super who donated the corner ties---- he would
have taken us out without the supports to keep the contraption in one
place. WONDERFUL invention this sling.
I'll keep you posted on his progress. He sure has heart!
Bette
-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians
Home of 16.2h TLA Halynov
who lives on through his legacy
Hal's Riverdance!