Alita's Story

  Alita’s foaling date is fast approaching and we are anxiously awaiting her first and possibly only foal. With the equine Senior she is putting on the extra weight and actually looking pregnant. Thank goodness she doesn’t look like out other mare due to foal in late February. She is as big as a house. She carries big and thankfully Alita does not.

  We have brought our first load of mares in from the old place and Alita’s old buddy Aly is in that group. I can’t tell you how happy Alita was when she arrived. I had Aly tied doing her pasture braid bound mane and Alita was on the other side of the fence. When she approached Aly, she went nose to nose with her and then it hit her who she was. While Aly stood along the fence she brought her head over the top and laid her muzzle on Aly’s forehead. Aly just stood there for a good 5 minutes letting her friend rest her head. There was a twinkle in Alita’s eyes that I had not seen for awhile. She was so happy her friend was finally home with her.

  Since Alita and Aly are due to foal 2 days apart they will share adjoining stalls and paddocks. Their foals will share the same large turnout and be weaned together. Alita and Aly will forever be side by side.

  Even though our vet said to leave her in a smaller area she truly longs to be out in the front pasture. She looks at the other horses and paces back and forth along her paddock fence tossing that Arab head of hers. She whinnies and calls frantically when the others are out of her site. I don’t dare turn out Aly or Alita would really go crazy!

  After careful consideration and knowing that the beginning of January I will start leaving Alita and Aly in their stalls and paddocks at night only to be turned out in a larger turnout about 40 x 80 I decided to let her go out into the 3 acre pasture. She wants to be a horse again. She NEEDS to be a horse again!

  With baited breath I turned her out and watched her do something she hasn’t done for a LONG time. She ran!!! Well, she did her version of running which was to put as little weight as possible on her bad knee. She seemed to do better at a trot then a gallop. Once she got her tail un-bunched she set to grazing and was enjoying every minute of it. The other mares gathered around her like they used to and when she laid down to take a rest the others stood and watched over her. She was truly happy.

  I feel that if she is to strengthen her good leg and work her bad lag she needs the exercise. On the other hand if she pushes too hard she could founder or loose use of her good leg. I am trusting in both God and Alita that she knows after 6 months she knows her limitations.

  We are feeding a 1 part 14% grain, 1 part alfalfa pellets added with 2 parts of Equine Senior. We also are adding oil to her feed at night. About 1 cup. She seems to like the new mix and is even eating the alfalfa pellets. Her wraps are still removed every 3 days and she is left without for 1 to 2 days. We are still giving Bute when needed however are trying to keep it to once or twice a week. She seems to be doing well.

  Her knee is still at a severe slant and walking is hard for her. You can here her bones and joints pop when she moves. The extra weight of the foal is taking it’s toll. We know of a lady in the area that does muscle therapy for horses and we are going to see if she can do a session with Alita. I think it would help her A LOT!