Zanita was ridden for the first time since we brought her home. Jen got to be the "guinea pig". Jen, being the wonderful and talented rider that she is, had Zanita performing beautifully. Never mind polo---dressage anyone???

Cancelled

This Thursdays-August 27ths Free Polo Demonstration has been cancelled. We hope you will plan to attend our next Demonstration on Thursday Sept. 24th at 6:30

Damage Control

My horses have been very busy providing income for Buck Hill Veterinary Services. The first horse to need their services was DB. Mark and Jen were getting her ready to be ridden, and when they went to put on her bridle, they noticed she had a hole in her upper lip. Not just a cut, but a round hole, the size of a dime. It looked like someone had taken a large size leather punch, and used it on the very middle of her upper lip. It was filled with "gunk", so Mark called the vet. Paula came, examined and flushed the wound, and left us with 2 bottles of antibiotics. While sedated,and her lip was being examined, we found out that our QH cross is actually a tattooed TB named Red Dress Baby. She had just finished her 7 days of medicine, when the next incident occurred. Eva had been in a stall for most of the day. waiting for the farrier. After he came, and her hooves were done, she was turned-out into the paddock. She had only been out for about 2 hours, when Mark noticed she had a large gash on the side of her mouth. It was probably 4 inches long. The vet was called-of course Mark had to leave for polo practice, so I got to be Eva's nurse! Her cut required 6 stitches, and antibiotics were prescribed. Because of the cut/stitches, Eva couldn't wear a bridle, so we joked that she cut herself on purpose, knowing she was about to leave for a 4 day tournament in NY! The next victim of misfortune was Zanita. Upon arrival home from NY, I went over to the paddock to check on Eva, Sage and Zanita. Zanita seemed sore in her right hind leg, and upon closer inspection I found 2 lacerations on her gaskin. They didn't appear too bad, so I washed them off, applied furacin ointment, and gave her a gram of bute. The next day her leg was very swollen, so I started her on oral antibiotics, bute, and warm soaks. After following this treatment for 3 days, there was no change, so the vet was called. It turned-out that the laceration was actually a 5 inch puncture wound. She received a different regimen of antibiotics, and now, 10 days later, she is finally getting better. Because of all these wounds, we carefully checked the paddock-several times- and found nothing obvious that would harm the horses. Since I always thought misfortune came in threes, I assumed our medical dilemmas were finished. At least until I went out to feed this morning and found Tequilla with her hoof/shoe, caught in the cable that anchors the horses run-in shelter. Thankfully, she was not hurt, and had the sense to not panic, and harm herself. It always amazes me that even under the best of circumstances, what trouble our equine friends can get into!