[QHGirl]

Hey all,

Know that some of you guys might know my mares story about EPM. Well it was finally nice outside this weekend (wierd for December) and I finally got to ride. I rode my mare that had EPM. NOW she is still lame at the jog, but building her muscle will help with that.

I rode her 2 days, she was really good, we went trail riding on our new property. She loved it. For her being 5 this next year (offically 4 still) she did quite well handling all that scary stuff. She even went over the bridge that is about 12 feet across the creek which was very surprising. She walked over it like it was steps... high stepping but she did it. Well I tried to long trot her but she would rather lope, which was quite surprising as she hated to canter before EPM. Trotting needs more muscles built up but hey we are on the way!!!! She surprised me ALOT... The land is even hilly (well hilly for Indiana) and she handled that great. We did trot some but for the most part, just walked.

Sorry I have not been on much, work has been so crazy, plus the new house to take care of with the barn.

Just thought I would let those that know Dottie's story hear how great it was to finally ride her. ALSO to let them know how SORE I am, I can just imagine how sore she is. Oh crossing my legs is killer!!!!!!

Thanks for listening to me and my exciting news!!!!

[Blistering Winds]

Cool Congrats! Always nice to hear about EPM horses coming around. Seen too many go down hill over the past few years.

I've been discussin with one of my family members about her father's horse. She was dying over the span of several months. Their vet, who doesn't specialize in horses, kept saying it was West Nile, I kept pushing that it was EPM. She tested positive for West Nile, problem with that is that she had been vaccinated already, which can throw the tests off anyways and show a false positive unless you do a virus specific test, little more $$ involved. She was showing CLASSIC signs and had been sick for months and months before. She finally went down and couldn't get back up, and had to be put down. One of their other horses is starting to show similar signs and of course, they won't listen to me. They live in an opposom haven! Can't walk 10 feet without seeing one practically. I hope they wake up and at least test for it ONCE before they lose another horse. With 2 horses going down, and it isn't common for West Nile to last several months, usually a fast, rapid downhill plunge. Not saying it can't happen, but the other signs triggered my thinking it was EPM and grrrr...it's getting very frustrating because these people have no business owning a horse to begin with due to their ignorance overall. They had a pony not long ago that they got. Mean little turkey too. Treated it like a pet and ruined him even more. A stallion as well. Almost killed their son. Finally they sold it to a pony ride person. It had lost so much weight from being with them too. And I mean a LOT of weight.

Anyways, I'm rambling on and on.

Good to hear about your success story. Should send it into one of the Magazines to give others a ray of hope!

[QHGirl]

About that time, she might just take a turn for the worst. Knowing my luck the past year.

That is horrible about the other horses... so sad. I didn't do a spinal test, we just treated with Marquis and man did I see a difference in her attitude and her "sluffing off" of her muscle atrophy. It is almost like it stopped getting bad. Now it just looks really really weak. I don't care if I can't "SHOW" her again, but that would be nice, she is such a pretty mare, and beautiful mover, it woudl be a waste. Maybe I am hanging on too much, but heck I already put that much into treatment into her, I can't stop yet.

Hope you can talk some sense into your family members about the horse. That is so sad. What type of signs does it have?

My mare did have some looking back (hindsight) but nothing that would really stick out in my head. DARN, I always thought it wouldn't happen to me..... never ever think that!!!

[Blistering Winds]

The horse that died already had the muscle tremors, lack of movement in the hind legs, lots of muscle atrophy, lameness in the hind end, then the front end.

Just lots of "nerve" type issues from the middle of the back and back. Big sign that there is nerve damage in a specific area, but it eventually spread and the poor horse died very tragically. Refused to eat, drink, etc at the end. I would have put him down before he had to die like that.

The other horse has started with the one leg dragging slightly, tremors, etc. Started about a month after they got the horse, the other horse was already headed down hill at the time.

There is one horse who doesn't have issues, but I keep saying, TEST THEM! Or treat them with the EPM as a JUST IN CASE issue. Isn't going to hurt them if it isn't EPM but will at least Rule it out!!

West Nile, when it hits your horse, usually takes less than 2 weeks to drop them like that. And it doesn't necessarily start in the hind end. Usually there are other signs before the muscles are affected. This horse was running and jumping and playing a few weeks before, even a few days before, and WHAM. He still wants to run and play. So did the other one. Just physically having issues. NOT signs of West Nile. That's what I've been trying to beat into their heads. As well as their neighbor who DID have a horse drop from EPM last year. (It's bad in South Texas). So we know EPM is in that area! They just don't want to spend the $$ to have a second opinion. Or even spend the $$ to get the tube of paste to stop EPM now before it gets worse.

Anyways, it takes time to rehabilitate a horse to a good recovery, but they are out there. I read in Horse Illustrated or was it Equus, a really great success story. They are returning to WP events this show season after recovering over a 3 yr period. I'll see if I can find the article to boost your spirits for you!!

Good LUck

[QHGirl]

That is horrible and sad about the other horse and the current horse. Poor thing. If they don't have the money, then they should put it down or give it to someone to pay for the treatment. But I am sure you have been through that with them TIME AND TIME AGAIN!!!

Just a thought, can you get a tube of marquis or the new stuff at discount? That would prob be the only thing they would consider. What about contacting ASPCA since they know the horse is sick and are not treating it. HUM.. Just a thought! Hey are you close to Houston? Just thought of Houston ASPCA show on Animal Planet. I love those shows. It is really sad, but it is great to hear all the sucess stories. It is really sad when my dog sits with us and when the dogs are whinning he c o c k s his head sideways and then gets upset so you know they must be hurting. Then it is funny when they are better and playing with the new family, his head always c o c k s sideways and he gets excited. He hates it when they are crying on tv, he goes into the other room. Being a Humane Socitey puppy himself I am sure that is a frequent sound he was used to hearing.

Well anyways, that would be great if you found the article, I would love to read it.

Thanks again,

<small>[ December 29, 2003, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: QHGirl ]</small>

[spyro1]

QHGirl, that's great news I know how excited you must have been to get back in the saddle Go Dottie don't give up on your little mare, she will surprise you..I give you so much credit with dealing with everything you have been through with her and your gelding. I know that you love them very much to stick with them through the long haul like you have cute_kis How is your gelding by the way??

[QHGirl]

One day he is good, the next it is gross again. I am so exhaused, and man was he MAD that I rode her instead of him. He didn't like that one bit, he got so mad, he chased her out of the barn, of course she slipped and fell right under the door.... He got in big time trouble. He sat pouting in the corner, knowing he was in major trouble.

I have been cleaning it and putting stuff on it every day, some days I can feel air out of his nose, other days, nothing! I hope this summer I can ride him. I was so tempted to jump on him bareback, but I figured I would die from being so sore anyways, that would make it worse!

[Blistering Winds]

They are South of SA, and they won't do anything until the horse looks 3/4 dead. Plus he's technically under Vet care, just a VERY crappy vet. They don't want to spend $$, so she won't spend the time. I know the vet personally and think she should get out of the business. I've given them my old vet's name and number, even called him and he'd help them out too. But they refuse. They are the types that "Know Everything" and refuse help when given.

He lives nearby, and he's going to keep an eye for me for when he reaches a certain point, I can step in and FORCE them to give up the horse. I've even offered to pay for the EPM test and treatment. I know her father would be appauld if he knew that they aren't doing everything. The one that died was his favorite horse in the whole wide world. I think one reason the horse took a turn for the worse is because he died a few weeks before. So she gave up. The other one, however, is all happy go lucky. The one that died was sick when he had her, she had just started showing symptoms a few months before.

They keep saying, Well, she's vaccinated. GRRR just want to slap them silly. My vet knows of a few ways to nab the horses from them, I just have to wait until the one looks REALLY REALLY bad. ASPCA can step in and force an EPM test and I can nab the horses at that point because it COULD have been stopped if he does test positive.

Oh well. Abuse due to Ignorance. And nothing I can do yet.

[spyro1]

You know, I have to vent a little here, that really sucks that you have to wait until the poor thing is on his death bed in order for the authorities to step in and help out. GRRR!! Sorry, feel a little better now. blushing What is wrong with these people?? Look at QHgirl, all the c_rap she is going through with her beloved ones, kind of makes me feel warm and fuzzy knowing that her babies are getting everything that they possibly be getting done for them. hang in there, they will get there wink