Releasing The Strangle Hold

Photo by Merri Melde (theequestrianvagabond.com)

We are four long weeks into the dreaded Streptococcal Equi infection that helped us ring in the New Year. Rhett was first to get it – and he got really, really sick. Then Jose showed signs, then Jack, and they both seemed to recover from it quite quickly without getting the bursting abscesses. Tess got it fairly badly, and then her abscess burst within three days and she was quickly back to healthy living. Redford got a lump at his throatlatch and was sore for a couple of weeks. It disappeared without bursting. Far got two big bumps under his jowls, which got so big by week three that he could not even put his head down to eat or drink. He was banished to the stall where we could suspend hay, food and water. He spent a week in his cell (although he really did not seem to mind it all that much) and then after it drained for 8 days, he was released back into the herd on Saturday. This pleased him immensely! He spent the weekend running and running and running and running around the paddock. Rocky is now showing signs with a snotty nose, so we will hope he gets through it quickly. We could not have survived this episode without Merri's support and guidance.










Photos by Merri Melde (theequestrianvagabond.com)

The riding is about to recommence, thank goodness. In fact, it already did. I just got home from a silly Monday at the office, and had the perfect end to the day. I snuck out of work at 5, was home by 6 to help Merri and Rusty feed and scoop, and then I spent 30 glorious minutes riding Little Tess in the pseudo arena next to our property. She was calm, patient and willing.



I rode her yesterday, too, for the first time in four weeks and it was as if she had not forgotten a thing. I rode her for about 30 minutes at a walk – working on yielding at the pole and the beginning of backing up. She had obviously done her homework overnight, because this evening, she was backing up like a champ. At the end of our brief walking ride tonight, I spent 10 minutes sitting chatting with Rusty while I was still in the saddle. She did not get fidgety or impatient or give any attitude, even though her 6 geldings were enjoying their evening hay within sight of where she was working.

I do believe she will be a fun horse to ride; bold, patient, willing. Coupled with that loving, trusting temperament, she is hard to top!

We're not really sure how long the isolation from public life will go on, but current estimates are at least another two months.