[RC] Update on injured mare- lightening strike - tim miller
Through this forum Amy and I have been contacted
by a wonderful woman who was present at our mare's birth and instrumental
in her upbringing at CreRun.
Sharing her stories and pictures of Patriot
Games and her track Hall of Fame mother, Wikings Dream, (who
tragically died at 9 yrs. old) has been tremendously helpful.
Patty has made remarkable progress in 3
days, however, we realize she has a long way to go.
She benefits from her mother's spirit and heart. We are so
blessed to still have her.
I was at work at the time of the strike, which
happened around midnight according to someone who resides on the property less
than 50 yards from where the foal was found. There was not a mark on him,
he died instantly.
It was 9:00 AM until I arrived home, Patty
was in the barn through a stall door I always left open. I have no idea
how long she stayed with her foal or how she made it back to the
barn.
Today we are regularly clipping fresh wet
grass for her. It is remarkable given her injuries that she has adapted so
quickly to eating with only one side of her mouth
functioning.
We originally kept her hydrated by giving her
water soak off from beet pulp and advanced her to a very wet mash. She has
advanced to the point that very little drops out of the flaccid mouth
side.
We found it is important to elyte after a
lightening strike. When I saw this mare go for loose salt in free standing
holders we have in each stall, it hit me simultaneously with an e-mail
received from the stallion owner suggesting same.
There is a very long opening on her right
front elbow which extends at least 6" upwards which is being treated with
Cefa-Lak. Whether this was lightening inflicted or she did it to herself
is unknown.
Thanks to all of you who have contacted us or had
a good thought for Patty. She will live to have another opportunity
to enhance the breed.
God forbid any of you ever have to go through
this, but if our learning experiences can be helpful to anyone please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Best wishes to all of you. This is a great
helping community full of people who put their horses
first.
