I almost forgot, you wanted to know about my horse, Kat.
Well, she feeling sorry for herself i dare say... but i think she'll be ok. Aud was being rough on her yesterday, typical toodler huh?! She kept nudging Kat on her sore leg side to try and drink...poor kat was standing like a dog cocking its leg to let Aud in....poor girl!
I had to move them as they were in a large not very safe paddock for 2 weeks. The bush fires have been bad this year, and after the close call we had at that paddock (when the fire office wouldnt let me in at first) i had to move them....
They are the talk of the property now...as i ahve them at the riding school...the only mare and foal there, so of course everyone is "Aawwww" at them...:)

We've heard a lot about your bushfires, so glad the girls are safe. Do you have to travel far to see them and how often do you go? Must be crazy making in the middle of exams.

Its harder now because they are actually 50 mintue drive north, instead of a 30 mintue drive south, but its worth it as i am more north (at riding lessons) than south for no reason.... The bush fires were enough to scare me, thats for sure.
They are alot better where they are as someone is looking after them for me.
Alls well in the way of exams...took sometime out of study time, but i'll be fine. Im a better cram studier actually.

just a little up date...
was out yesterday to see my girls and Kat's leg is quite swollen...not looking good....
but have taken on and bought some drugs for her to help reduce it.
Talk about hands on experience for my next exam topic...equine locomotion..... off to study....

Hey Timna - hope Kat's leg is better soon! And good luck with your exams!

*energeticly bounds into message board waving and yelling 'hi everyone'!!!!!!!!'*

I saw this post and i knew it was for mi...i lurve horses!!

enywayz, its a pitty about your horses leg, i hope it gets better soon...must be that time of year 'cos at the place i take riding lessons there are at least 5 horses lame...

but i guess it was for the best that the horse i usually ride (queeda) had a sore tendon today 'cos i got to ride this amazing TB mare called Shannon for the very first time...i had been wanting to ride her for absolute ages, but never had the chance until now...if all goes well it may be a permanent move...and thats what i like about not having my own horse and riding somebody else's- if i get sick of that particular horse i can easily change...

Timna, I do hope Kat will be okay. Please keep us updated.

Well, im done for good now...this year anyhow...(damn)
The weather is bad, but my mood is good.
I went and saw my girls today...Kat is much better...her leg is gone down and she is moving more. We cut away the excess flesh too... it was getting in the way of the healing process.
Aud is turning out great now...letting me pat her without kicking...big improvement..lol.

So pleased that Kat is getting better, and what's this about Aud kicking at you, the minx - certainly sounds like a frisky little foal.

Foals always kick and bite in the first few weeks of life. This is because they are learning how to do it...
Auds past that point now, thank goodness. Foals are cute and all, but they are also dangerous...they have to learn whats right and whats not.

Timna, did you have to smack Aud? Rachel dreams of having a horse she can smack if it does something wrong ("because you can smack them hard"). I think there might be some tough-love lurking in my little eleven year old. She's normally so sweet, but the business of 'smacking' a horse gets her quite determined. It's freaky.

Well, Rachel seems to have formed an idea which could get her into danger...i say this as a warning as i dont believe in hitting animals. Especially in something like Aud's condition...shes a baby learning right and wrong... I dont correct her by hitting, but i correct her by a threat, like running at her... this is a instinct danger threat to horses.... If you hit an animal, espeically a young one, or repeatively any animal...then they will fear you and not want anything to do with you. Some even protect themselves at your expensive. Kat's role is to teach Aud the rights and wrongs...she didnt at first, but she does noe...as kat use to get kicked...so i think she got annoyed and realised she had correct it.... But its all learning...
I hope Rachel can learn the right way to handle animals..or is it just horses she has this conception of?

I think it's just horses, Timna. She's never hit any of our animals here, but she's seen the women at the riding school smack the horses on the butt when they want them to move along (calling them 'lazy' etc) so I think that's where she's formed the idea that you smack horses firmly to get obedience. I'll tell her what you said about Aud. Sounds a lot like parenting children

Well Kat's leg has swollen up yet again. Ive put her on penicilin, so hopefully this will work. Ausie is a lovely foal now. Easy to handle and catch in the paddock. Its such a relief, but i knew she needed time.
She is having her first farriery visit this week. Yay!

Dear Timna, so sorry to hear her leg is swollen again. That must be worrying. But you sound so capable with animals, I'm sure your presence with her will reassure her so at least she only sore and not scared.

Has Aud's funny little tail changed? I'm wondering when it turns into a 'real' tail. And do you have an new photos up on your website?

no new photos yet...and no her tail hasnt changed..i'll let you know when it does....
It is worrying.... i just hope she'll be fine sooner than later.

Have taken some photos of the girls...will post when i have them up!
Not much improvement to Kat's leg. The proud flesh has gone down which is a start! The swelling is still there though.
Audie is fine. Had her first visit to the farriery with great sucess. The needle is next. (vaccine)
Just thought id let you know.

Timna, I wish Kat would get better! I know dealing with injury and illness is all part of animal ownership (the same as parenting) but I hate it. Every painful or uncomfortable thing that happens to my kids I wish it was happening to me instead, it would be easier to bear. I imagine you must feel the same way about Kat.

I wonder why it's taking so long to heal. Is she still feeding Aud? Could that be draining her immune system? I know nothing about horses. If Helen was still here I'm sure she'd have some ideas. Maybe Kat needs a vitamin tablet!

Kats leg will take along time to heal in any case, but the swelling indicates further infection...and since it wont go away, im getting more worried.
The cut is healing nicely actually.
Audie is taking her toll on Kat too. Shes lost abit of weight over this past month, but she's fine after that. Shes still feeding her. I test that each time im there...
Am still waiting on my results from uni. Most frustrating as my friends received their grades last Friday, and my uni is a week ahead of theirs. It annoying to say the least. I wish i knew when it was expected to be released!
Other than that im fine.

Timna, if Kat was a baby I'd say she was picking up on your stress! But as she's a horse and you're not around her all day I'm sure her infection is due to some other cause.

Glad to hear (via your other post) that you get your results Wednesday. It's horrible worrying about something you have absolutely no control over (now that you've sat the exams). I hope you do well and that you relax after that and maybe even go out and celebrate. Have a latte for me.

I'm sure Deb is relaxing on her holiday. She sounded as though she needed a break too. Maybe my timing for cracking the whip wasn't optimal...

I saw Kat yesterday.. her leg is getting better, but the swelling is till there, but aslong as the wound is healing, it should be ok.
Audie is alittle star. More photos up on my site! Took another roll of film too... just have to get them developed.
No results today. Im annoyed. But i should relax, its just hard! My whole future depends on a pass grade. Oh well, whats done is done. Just have to wait.
On the up side, if i do fail, atleast i will be able ace it next time around! LOL!

Timna, you're so funny. Great that you can have a laugh about it, and I'm sure you'll be fine Please let us know as soon as you hear.

I'd love to see the new pictures of your girls but I've lost the URL, could you post it again here? I'm dying to see how Aud is growing up. (and so is Rachel)

The message on midnight deals with my grades...(i passed ) No more stress.
the url for my web site is http://www.geocities.com/timnaedean/home.html
you go on from there.

Timna, Audie's tail is so CUTE, still. I'm no horsey girl but when I see pictures like that I get a much better idea of what Rachel must feel. So delightful.

I see what you mean... how can you not like a cute baby animal like audie.
Her tail seems to be growing out instead of down...its funny, but feels so soft. She is finely getting rid of her baby hair...it leaves in patches...as you can see in the photos.
Think i might pop up there today actually, i have some idea i want to try out on Kats leg to get rid of the swelling. Have to consult someone first who knows what im going through.