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Well, you know how we horse people are.........one is not enough, nor is two, three, etc. I bought another horse. She arrived late Thursday night from Missouri here in Texas. So, that makes 4 Arabians for me. This sweet girl (her call name is Honey) is fantastic. She isn't the best confirmation wise once you pick apart the "faults", but in mind, disposition and spirit, she's a cut above. Wonderful, wonderful horse. She's a warm loving horse to all, people, other horses, and little critters. She's calm but curious and takes life in stride. I feel so fortunate to have her as she is only 6 y.o. so I know we will have many happy adventures together riding the ranch and trails. She is also "husband safe". Ha!

I just had to share as I feel so blessed to have this wonderful creature in my life. Honey is a true "honey" of horse! I have posted her with my other pictures on my page.

Well, we got the confirmation yesterday on Cocoa and it is cushings disease. She is in the early stages so we are going to treat it with pergolide - 1/2 mg per day. Then after about 6 weeks, she will be given the dexamethasone supression test again to see if the results are better than the first one. (Her cortisal level at rest was 3.1. After being given the dexamethasone, it should have dropped to less than 1 but went up to 4.6.)

The vet is confident that she will respond well and that we shouldn't have to increase the dosaage for some time.

This is a very moving story about the strong bond between a horse and his owner.

I hate to post this but I need some support right now. My little mare appears to have all of the symptoms of cushing's disease - did not shed out entirely this year, sweating more than normal, drinking more water, urinating more frequently and getting stiff in her front legs. The vet is coming out Monday to do blood tests to determine if cushing's is the cause. I know that there is medication but they say it is less effective in an older horse - she is 25 (or maybe 26).

I know I will have to make the decision, based on the vet's recommendation, about whether to try medication or if it would be more humane to put her down. The last stage is disorientation and I do not want that to happen to her. I do not want her to suffer.

Thanks for listening.

Okay gang, it's that time of year again...I don't know about the weather where you live, but down here in SE Arizona, it's been in the high 80's during the day and the early mornings and late afternoons/early evenings have been perfect for riding. I'm putting the article that I wrote in the comments section so I won't take up a bunch of space on this page, but it's a little sound advice that everyone should read!

Just joined your group. That's me with my Missouri Foxtrotter. Rode half-Arabs most of my life but am really loving the switch.

Help!-do I need some good training advice. One of my mules hates being tied up whether it is in the trailer/side of trailer, or anywhere he cannot be with his herd mate. (all winter being idle) This is proving to be dangerous for me when i'm trying to untie him in the trailer. Tying him to the trailer all day does nothing for him. A habit he has that I cannot, seem to break.

equinegal linda

Here's a very thoughtful column from one of my favorite newspaper writers and cartoonists view link

Here's one quote:

"Empathy for the horses must be separated from sentimentality. They are not mere pets to be pampered until we tire of them or they trot off to horse heaven. Nor do horses live in a state of nature. They live in the world we created. Even the wild mustangs do not live fully in the wild. Many of the predators that would have culled the herd of the slow, the sick and the old are long gone. The wide open spaces are not so wide and not so open anymore. From suburban stables to western ranches, America has more horses than we can sustain. One way or another, we humans will determine how those horses live and die. Slaughterhouses? Starvation? If we do not like those choices, then another way must be found, a way that reflects the complexity of the problem, not the rigid purity of activists nor heartless, utilitarian economics.

A horse longs to be led in the right direction. Humans with the power to reason must take up the reins."

As an owner with too many good horses and limited funds, I too wonder what the right answer is to controlling, humanely, America's horse population.