Vet Appointments and Turnout

Well today River was seen by the vet and introduced into my herd. The vet came while I was at work but called and said she has all her shots, a Coggins report coming, but was too poor to be sedated for teeth floating. I may be dreaming, but it seems as if she already looks as if she's gained some weight. Her skin doesn't sag as much and her ribs are beginning to look less defined. She nickers to me when I come into the barn to refill her hay bag, mix her mush, and fill her water buckets. She is getting a half a pound of Equine Senior four times a day, all soaked of course. When I bring the geldings in to be fed she neighs loudly and spins around her stall when they leave. She was so used to being with a herd I figured she would do just fine turned out with the steady geldings.


After the geldings were turned out I put a halter on River and led her out to the pasture. She started to prance and pull the closer we got. When I got her through the gate I turned her loose and watched her perform a stunning running walk up to Troubadour and Ranger. I watched as the standard sniff and squeal took place. As the geldings made themselves a little more acquainted with the fact she was a mare River spun, squealed, and managed to smack both of them with one kick. Properly abashed Troubadour and Ranger walked a few paces away and grazed together. Satisfied River could handle her own I returned to the barn to do my duties as Mistress of Mucking. When I went to bring them in a little while later River was the one who led the herd back to the barn. She also herded them outside when she'd finished her lunch. I smiled to myself and had hope for the first time that she would pull through.

Here's a picture of my new little herd, River is on the left, Troubadour is the one in the middle with the fly mask, and Ranger is on the far right looking all surprised.

Here is a picture of Troubadour. I just couldn't resist snapping a picture of him looking like a knight in   shining armor.