We brought the little boys inside this morning to assess their gait, laminitis, etc.
After seeing Albie and Storm move, I have decided to go back a few steps. Yes, they are moving better but they are not 100% yet (but not needing painkillers either). Just a few more weeks, possibly.
It is difficult because I don’t know if what I am doing is the right thing but the past few days, when we had the snow, I relaxed the rules too much so I think they should go back to staying inside during daylight hours, and going out at night only.
The ponies had already had their buckets (nettle and TurmerAid with chaff) so I gave them some hay in a trickle-feed haynet (with the next batch on to soak) and left them inside for the day.
I can only do what I think is right. We go day to day and, although I think Albie and Storm are slightly better, they are not better enough to live in a field 24/7 with any sort of grass at all.
So, tonight, I put them out. With the days being so short, they get a good 18 hours outside.
I am totally flying blind here and praying their laminitis is on its way out for the time being and colic never rears its ugly head again.
I tell them they are my vampire ponies!
Isnt it a minefield, you’re not the first to work day by day with the dreaded Laminitis its trial and error, sometimes we get it right but we never breathe a sigh of relief as you never know what tomorrow brings. I wish you all the luck. Your boys are very lucky to have such an attentive nurse
I so feel for you, Frances. My little chap is still on box rest and painkillers. He moves around his stable quite happily but is clearly not right when I try him on the harder ground. He’s improved on a few weeks ago but I’m now thinking in terms of months rather than weeks. I’m dreading the spring as I don’t have access to a grass-free area so it will be very limited time outside with a muzzle – no life for a little pony. He seems happy enough providing he has something to eat and gets lots of attention but I’m not happy with his situation. I need to find someone who can teach him to pull a small pony cart so that I can keep him well esercised!
You are making the best choices based on what the Vampire Ponies choose to share with you. Trust that tiny voice when making plans for recovery.