Still my Beautiful Disaster

It has been a really tough day. I just got off the phone with the vet and got confirmation of his earlier suspicions. Not only is there significant infection in the bone, but also loss of bone density in his jaw. Surgery will be a big project and the after care an even bigger project. It would require the removal of problematic bone tissue and it cannot be closed surgically. Instead it must heal from the inside out. As if the news isn't hard enough, I also got a visit from BLM at my ranch today. They offered to take my horse back.

It is my responsibility to do the best thing for my horse. I don't yet know what that is, but I will find out. I want to get the x-rays sent over to a surgical center for an evaluation of the exact procedure needed and his prognosis. It will be at that point I can decide what to do for my little Tornado. But an educated decision is critical.

I am feeling really overwhelmed by all the things going on. He really is my beautiful disaster. My intention is to adopt him at the Mustang Makeover and raise the funds to have his surgery done. I am hopeful that we can raise the money and give him the care he desperately needs. If surgery will help him and he has a good prognosis then we will do it. If surgery will cause him more harm than good I still want to adopt him. I will do the best I can with what I've got. At the end of the day if I have given him my best I have to accept whatever the outcome may be. Even if that means to love him well and say goodbye. But for now we will move forward and pray for the best.

Mustang Alternate

I found an alternate Mustang to ride. Yes it has four wheels instead of hooves but it has a freeze brand on the left side of it's neck! Check it out we will be raffling this golf cart off at the Norco Makeover to help raise funds for "Heart to Heart Equine Rescue." Art and Cheryl Zanini, owners of Best Golf Carts in Bloomington, CA have provided the cart as a way to raise much needed funds. If you are interested in participating we are selling tickets for 1/$5, 5/$25, or 25/$100. All the money raised will be used to help cover our extensive month to month expenses and to help to save more horses.

Since Cheryl and I started the rescue in October, 2009 we have rescued 10 horses and have gotten 7 of them adopted out to wonderful homes. We want to continue the work, but we need help. The financial and time commitments are met primarily by the two of us and it is tough to maintain! Anyone who would want to get involved or for more information on raffle tickets I can be reached at (909)238-6626. Or join our Facebook group "Heart to Heart Equine Rescue"

Obvious Conclusion

I had decided try to continue training Tornado in a halter and bareback. We have to use a loose fitting halter because a bit will cause him extreme pain. If he does blow I don't have much control in the halter so I have been riding him bareback. The idea is to slide off if things go South. It was a good in theory, but not so much in acutality. I can't very well correct bad behavior without a bridle or saddle. Training like this works out great if your horse never tells you "NO." Unfortunately I got a big "NO" yesterday and it came in the form of a good jump in the air and several strong bucks that came out of nowhere. I slammed into the ground pretty good and smashed my face on a small rock. Fortunate for me the helmet visor helped protect my face. Thank GOODNESS! The obvious Moral of the story is that it is unwise to start an unpredictable mustang bareback in a halter.

The Answer

I see so much potential in Tornado and it just hasn't made sense that training him should be so difficult. He is kind and willing so why the explosions? Yesterday I learned why we have been having so many problems. Since the first day I got him home I had noticed an injury to his jaw area and I've been treating it ever since. I had the vet out to take a look and he believes Tornado has a serious problem. The vet suspects that it's an old jaw fracture that will require surgery. We will find out the exact cause next week with x-rays, but it's abscessed and appears that infection has set into the bone. I am so dissapointed, but at least now I know why my sweet horse has been so explosive. This has complicated things, but I still want to try to continue on the best we can.