Alita's Story

Week Eleven

August 18^th - 24th

Just Like a Roller Coaster

    Life just never seems to make things very easy. It seems to be perfect one day and then the next your world is falling apart. It seems to be this way with Alita.

    I still have not heard from the rescue organization with Codi after over 1 week going on 2! Animal Planet is going to try and find the tape and watch it for me so I can get the information on the joint treatment. She is still on her Flex Builder 4X once a day at her evening feeding. Just if there is a better chance with this new supplement I would like her on it ASAP.

    At the beginning of the week Alita was doing well. She was using her leg more and was even getting it pretty straight when she bared weight on it. I was letting her go un-wrapped at times during the day to wean her off the soft brace and get her comfortable using it on her own. She seemed to be doing quite well.

    Then mid week I went out to her stall with breakfast and she was standing in the back corner of the stall with her nose out a small window in the side. On the other side was Echo touching her nose to Alita's. Once her feed was in the bucket she reluctantly came over to eat. I fed the rest of the horses, gave Alita a kiss and went inside.

    I came out about 45 minutes later to untie the horses and check on Alita. When I saw her in the corner of the stall it looked as if she was on her KNEES! Her hindquarters were up in the air and her front end was pretty low. I rushed into the stall to find that Alita had dug a hole within two feet of China and had her front legs deep in the hole. She just turned and looked at me with this awful look in her eyes. I filled in the hole, sprayed her down with fly spray and then she went back to the corner and stuck her nose out the window.

    I knew what the vet said however she needed contact with another horse. Not over a fence or thru a window however real one on one contact. She looked like a small child in the corner of her room. I went inside and e-mailed Diana about what was going on even though I knew what I had to do for Alita. Risky or not she needed something that only I could give her.

    I went back outside, wrapped all her legs, tied up Echo, opened the fence and called Alita. Her eyes got bright, her ears went up and she walked with hardly a limp out into the paddock where Echo was. I then let Echo go. Alita was soooo happy to be there with Echo. They walked up to each other and Alita rubbed on Echo so hard that Echo almost fell over! She was so happy to be with another horse again.

    I left her out for just over an hour and then put her back in her stall and run area. She wasn’t too keen on going back however I don’t need to risk her over doing it. Baby steps every other day and hopefully we will get there. So I promised her that I would let her out with Echo every other day if she was doing alright.

    I received a response e-mail from Diana that said the following:

    "As I check in with Alita is depressed now. She feels punished, actually. I asked her why she feels depressed and she said she feels her muscles are getting too weak to support her trot. She is very proud of her trot, to say the very least. I tell her that even big time athletes get hurt, stay on the bench and then go back into the stadium. But you know she is stubborn".

    "I'm more concerned for her in that once she believes it's over... it will be very hard to turn her back around. Time seems to be standing still for her and every day is the same as the day before. She is bored and weary of this mess. This mare must go out into the sunshine, even if it is on a lead and only for 15 minutes a day twice a day. I have told her I will see her in the next two weeks and bring her apples and medicine. She really likes sweets".

    We will do everything we can to make it so Alita doesn’t give up on herself! I hope Diana isn't right and she may be giving up!

    At the end of the week Alita started laying down a lot again. I thought she may finally be foundering however Melissa came over when she brought Alita some sawdust and said that wasn’t it. She feels it’s because her toes are so long and she is straining her muscles in the back of her legs so she is getting very sore. I had called the farrier and he was to be out on Saturday, this morning. Then he called and said he couldn’t make it until next week. I have been on the phone desperately trying to find someone to come out today or possibly tomorrow. It will be tricky getting her to pick up her feet for more than a few seconds however she does need them done. Especially if it will help her.

    All last night and this morning, Saturday, we kept and eye on her. This morning my husband started the mister up outside Alita's stall and the fan is on full blast. I think she is also very hot. She is in the yard right now getting some fresh air and grass while my husband works on her stall.

    Diana is going to set-up a time to come out and try a new technique she has found out about. She recently came across a healing technique which she says is absolutely incredible. It is called the Raindrop Technique. It is done with as many as 12 therapeutic essential oils. She talked with a massage therapists who use the technique on people and has had tremendous results in a very short period of time. She also said Alita is still carrying a foal and she senses a colt.

    The truck is now looking at next week before it is finished. I am going to see if I can find someone with a truck to take us on Tuesday or Wednesday to get her checked at the vet. We have her down to ½ a Bute once a day, still on beet pulp, joint supplement and her grain has been increased to help her maintain her weight. She will also receive her Pneumabort-K shot later today just in case she is still in foal. This shot will help make it so she doesn’t get sick and loose the foal. It is given at 5, 7 & 9 months of pregnancy. We are about 2 weeks overdue however the vet says it is still OK to give.

    Hopefully we will get a farrier out here, Animal Planet will find the info on the treatment or the rescue center will e-mail us, Diana will be out and try another treatment and the vet check will be promising. Hold on Alita don't give up hope. We all are pulling for you.

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