These are the posts that we never want to write. It is with deep sadness that we inform you that we lost Winter to a colic last week.
During her time here at SAFE, Winter made good friends — both human and horse. She gained a great deal of confidence in herself, bravely facing many new obstacles alongside her human companions. She enjoyed naps in the sunshine, romps in the outdoor arena, and a warm Sweet Water on a cold day. Winter came to enjoy grooming sessions, and stood very well for the farrier. Despite not feeling her best at the end, she remained brave and kind, allowing us to try to help her up until the point where there was nothing else we could do but to help her pass on.
Winter was a soft, sensitive soul who had a tremendous amount of depth, and who knew a massive amount of love during her time on earth. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
It started on a Sunday night, when Winter showed disinterest in her night check hay. Administering Banamine perked her up, and restored her appetite somewhat, but even on the Banamine, she was not quite herself. While she had some interest in food, it was minimal, and she was not wanting to drink much (not even sweet waters) nor was she passing much manure. But she didn’t seem to be in pain or distress. Even her heart rate, which can be an indicator of pain when elevated, remained normal. On Tuesday, when she was still not better, she was seen by our vets, who thought she might be having a sand colic, and instructed us to treat her with psyllium to help pass the sand and keep on with the Banamine. For the next two days, Winter would perk up a little from time to time, sometimes eating a little of what was offered. While she was calm, there was clearly something amiss, and we continued to be troubled by how little manure she was producing.
On Thursday, our vet did a rectal exam and was able to feel an impaction, which was essentially a blockage in her system .She was tubed with fluids containing electrolytes for hydration as well as psyllium for the sand, and the plan was to continue doing this daily until the impaction passed.
Winter remained mostly the same for the remainder of the day, and had her evening dose of Banamine, which had been keeping her comfortable throughout the night earlier in the week. But by night check, she had started showing signs of greater discomfort. While our vet had told us that some increased discomfort was to be expected as the impaction began to break up, what followed was abnormal. Her heart rate was elevated, she was pawing, and she had no interest in food. Soon after, she was trembling all over and breathing quickly and audibly through her nostrils. When the vet arrived, she had spiked a fever and her heart rate was even higher. This was a very bad sign. She began sweating profusely. A quick blood test revealed a spike in lactic acid, and an ultrasound showed that Winter had fluid entering her abdominal cavity. At that point, there was nothing that could be done for her, except to set her free from her pain. She passed very quickly, and almost seemed relieved that it was over.
Prior to the vet’s arrival, Winter’s dear friend Lise, along with Bonnie, spent time comforting her with petting, light brushing, and soft words. Up until the very end, despite her pain, she was a good girl. She was very brave, and very sweet.
Winter.…you leave a huge hole in our hearts and you will be missed terribly. But you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace and fly free, sister golden hair. Much love to you.
