Poor Blue chased thru barbed wire fence

[VickiGG]

Woke up to the phone ringing at 8am this morning - always those calls that scare me. YO on phone... we had put Blue in with one of her horses who has bone spavin last night, he is a huge 17.2hh horse. I was a bit worried - I should have listened to my gut instinct and said no.

They were fine initially but it seems during the night Lucky terrorised Blue - he has huge bites all over him - a really bad one on his back, and Blue must have got trapped in the narrow end of the paddock (at the bottom of a slope) and jumped out of the paddock, through the barbed wire fence (neighbours cow fence boundary).

It's a twenty minute drive to the farm - and I had terrible visions of what he would be like when I arrived. By the time I got there YO was giving his a warm water wash down and she had already got the vet to check him out. He gave him a tetanus but luckily - no tendons, no deep injuries (the chest wounds have gone through all layers of skin and a nasty back leg barbed wire cut) but apart from that - lots of wire cuts, but no broken bones, no puncture wounds. Thank goodness. I am still in shock. I hate the thought of him being so terrified he had to jump out of the paddock. YO apoligised profusely as did YO OH.

They found him just standing in the neighbours paddock but I think he was sweating and shaking still - we are not sure how long before that it happened. He had gone quite a way in the neigbours paddock which leads down the the main road and has a lot of trees (fallen) and dips and streams, broken fences etc - so he was so lucky.

Wendi had given him some food and helped me wash the wounds... he was eating - that was a good sign. I applied emu oil, aloe cream on and then some wound powder.

So I chopped up some bananas and carrots (his favourites) and left him to dry off and relax a bit in the sun while I go home and have a shower and have breakfast.

Here are some photos.

His chest looks the worst - the top barbed wire broke so he must have broken it here..
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0217.jpg

Both the tops of his front legs have wounds
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0214.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0215.jpg

The bites - the first one is the worst
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0220.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0218.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0221.jpg

Back legs
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0219.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0223.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0222.jpg

[VickiGG]

The fence - see handfuls (mouthfuls I should say) of his mane on the ground;
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0230.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0233.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0237.jpg

When I left him...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0227.jpg

[chestnut-mare]

:eek: Oh how awful. You must be feeling pretty traumatised just now. It's terrible that another horse could be so cruel. What a brute! I hope you both recover soon.

[Ptaty70]

OH LORDY, POOR BLUE :eek:

those pictures are just scarey! he was really bullied. I think (apart from the barbed wire wounds), the one on his back looks really deep.

Poor little guy

How is he reacting now? does he seem calmer?

You must remember, as hard as it seems, horses do not always carry emotional scars forever, it is the humans who do. Once he gets in with a horse he can trust and you can trust, you should both be okay. Don't beat yourself up at all as horses will be horses and sometimes you just can't tell what they are going to do. Why did you have a gut instinct that it wasn't going to work? does the other horse have a history of bullying behaviour!?

Did he need any stitches and I presume you are having to treat the wounds for quite a while to come? How are you going to deal with the flies? do you have a decent barrier cream?

(roll on those bananas!!! He deserves a plantation-full!!!)

[Gilly 101]

Hiya

That look like its going to be sore, a bit of TLC and lots of treats whilst hes healing.

Gill

[Dina]

Awww,poor Blue :(
Emu oil is very good,I used the Equi Fix cream on Chunkys leg and it works very well.
Hope he heals up soon.

[VickiGG]

Why did you have a gut instinct that it wasn't going to work? does the other horse have a history of bullying behaviour!?

Did he need any stitches and I presume you are having to treat the wounds for quite a while to come? How are you going to deal with the flies? do you have a decent barrier cream?

(roll on those bananas!!! He deserves a plantation-full!!!)

Hi ya ptaty - when YO suggested they go in as paddock mates I didn't feel right about it. Lucky used to be a stallion and he's so much bigger and stronger than Blue - and he has shoes on. Blue is 24 years old (we think) and has arthritis... not really a good match.....

He didn't need any stitches thank goodness.... the vet was AMAZED he got through it as lucikly as he did.... especially for an old guy.....

I have puffed wound powder on after the emu oil cream - it keeps the flies away.....

I'll have a good check on him again this afternoon - his back hock seems the most sore (last piccy in first post)

You are right - he seems quite calm now - and normally he is in with foals and yearlings so he bosses them round.... :D

I am being brave for him.

When I left he was happily eating his carrots and bananas... :)

I'll try not to think about what he must have gone through.... he's lost alot of weight overnight.....

This was him when I left - I put him in a paddock by himself - next to the young ones, and gave him some hay to focus on.... it's a nice sunny warm day... for autumn

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0224.jpg

He broke the top row of barbed wire see...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0232.jpg

[VickiGG]

Awww,poor Blue :(
Emu oil is very good,I used the Equi Fix cream on Chunkys leg and it works very well.
Hope he heals up soon.

I know - poor guy - is that Equifix the purple and yellow container Dina? Wonder if it's ok to use arnica yet - I thought you couldn't use arnica on broken skin but not sure... anyone know?

Off to buy more carrots and bananas soon...

When we put him in the new (alone) paddock - he trotted off to the far end - away as far as possible from said horses paddock..... his back leg looks a bit sore but the fact he trotted was a good sign I think - plus he's eating - always good :)

[Grace O'Malley]

Ouch!!!

Poor baby :( So thankful it wasn't worse.

[Dina]

Yep,Equi Fix is the one in the purple and yellow container.
Nope,I don't think you can use arnica on broken skin.

[Chinarider]

Poor Blue, he is lucky to have you as his Mom :o lots of TLC for the old chap and of course tons of carrots..

My cure all is Camelia oil with Lavender added, it goes on everything, and I think without bias, I have the nicest smelling Hoss on the yard !

Hope he feels better soon, not nice pics :eek: NOOO

[magicalmac]

Big hugs to poor old Blu and you of course. I hope hes feeling better soon.

[horseygirl123]

Awww poor fellow :mad:

Those wounds look pretty nasty, he must have been so scared to have jumped that barbed wire

No you cant use arnica on open wounds, tea tree oil is always good tho ;)

Wishing him a speedy recovery :)

[NoviceNic]

Poor Soul. Give him huge hugs from his mates on NR....:)

[Ptaty70]

Lucky used to be a stallion and he's so much bigger and stronger than Blue - and he has shoes on. Blue is 24 years old (we think) and has arthritis... not really a good match.....

I have puffed wound powder on after the emu oil cream - it keeps the flies away.....

You are right - he seems quite calm now - and normally he is in with foals and yearlings so he bosses them round.... :D



aha, well that would answer why you were worried... poor old Blue!:o

Emu oil cream? that would be the height of luxury over here... sounds very swanky! ;)

Vive the day he goes back in with the youngsters. He probably enjoyed showing them their manners!!!!

He had a very lucky escape, espeically not to have any stitches. Best wishes to both of you!! I hope he heals quickly!

[Whatanejit]

Oh poor Blue!:eek:

Only just got this as I've been away.

What a shock for you to get that phone call.

Get well soon Blue!

[VickiGG]

Spent an hour or so with him today again - tried applying cream to wounds and he was very touchy/ouchy - more than yesterday so I guess the shock wore off....

He still doesn't want to go down one end of the paddock where he can see (one paddock and a driveway away) the horse that terrorised him... he stays out of sight round the corner.... and won't budge.... there are no other horses at the end where he stays...the two yearlings are between him and the other horse....so he has no company up the other end but doesn't want to even 'see' that horse for now.

Gave him some more hay and some apples and carrots - and had Jools (trimmer) come and check out his feet... all fine.... she couldn't believe how lucky he was...

[VickiGG]

Emu oil cream? that would be the height of luxury over here... sounds very swanky! ;)

lol - it's actually quite reasonable and lots of people use it here... odd huh :D

[Clare-22]

Oh no poor Blue :(

Wishing him a speedy recovery. Please give him a gentle hug from me.

[VickiGG]

thanks Clare - I couldn't help but cuddle him most of today....and scratch behind his ears...

It breaks my heart to think about what he went through :eek:

He has about 9 bites! as well as all the cuts

[Teehee]

Poor boy, did he ever get bitten!! Bad horse!!! :mad:

Hope he recovers fast!

[Lucyad]

What a horrid horse to do that to poor Blue. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

[cazrider]

Oh Vicki Poor Blue, and poor you.:eek: Hope he feels better soon.

[teabiscuit]

get well soon Blue

(((hugs)))

and to Vicki too, what a shock for you :(

[VickiGG]

thanks guys.... my brother saw this post and he commented on what a cool site and how supportive everyone was - and I agreed! :D

He had more carrots today - and swelling gone down on the major cuts and bite. He still doesn't like me applying cream.... :rolleyes:

[cazrider]

What news Vicki? How is Blue?
BTW, have you tried Dermagel? It's wonderful stuff for healing cuts etc. I won't be without some in my horsey first aid kit. It's not cheap but lasts for ages.

http://www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/derma_gel.htm

[VickiGG]

He is a lot better thanks - nearly a week on. We found some more bites and some more cuts, and I got some activated manuka honey to put on them - :)

I have been giving him nettles for Vit C and pinepapple for healing - it has this remarkable healing enzyme! :)

I'll get more photos in the weekend....

[hannah:)]

What's activated manuka honey? I know normal honey can help with healing, is this a special souped-up kind?

It sounds a bit more scientific than what goes on my toast:confused:

Glad to hear Blue is feeling a bit better, poor baby.

[NoviceNic]

Aww he is a pampered pony with such a good Mum.....:)

[VickiGG]

What's activated manuka honey? I know normal honey can help with healing, is this a special souped-up kind?

It sounds a bit more scientific than what goes on my toast:confused:

Glad to hear Blue is feeling a bit better, poor baby.

lol
The Honey Research Unit in NZ has shown that honey is an antibacterial agent. In particular, the Waikato group have focussed on a special quality of NZ manuka honey, called UMF (Unique Manuka factor). The factor, found only in manuka honey (manuka is a native plant of NZ), is an antibacterial activity in addition to the H2O2 present in all honey types. UMF is applied as a rating system to manuka honey, similar to the SPF factor in sunscreen. A batch of honey with better bacteria-killing activity will have a higher UMF grade. Manuka honey has higher levels of anti-oxidant activity than pasture honey and, therefore, may be better able to be down-regulate an overactive population of immune cells.

[VickiGG]

Washed all the wounds today - there are two main areas I am worried about - the back leg (the red gory photo above) and the his chest. Both are a bit lumpy and I'm not very good (squemish) at cleaning them up as much as I probably could to see the real state.... quite alot of scabs came off with the vetadine wash and they look pretty good (yay)...

I then covered them all in honey.... very funny and sticky!

This is the chest wound that I am worried about - or should I say wounds...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0238.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0239.jpg

These look pretty good now...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0241.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0244.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0242.jpg

The boy after his wash and manuka honey application!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/IMG_0245.jpg

Do you think I should trim the hair away from the bad ones?

Here's a short video...

<embed width="430" height="389" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s27.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid27.photobucket.com/albums/c188/VickiGG/Blue/MVI_0246.flv"></embed>

[VickiGG]

What news Vicki? How is Blue?
BTW, have you tried Dermagel? It's wonderful stuff for healing cuts etc. I won't be without some in my horsey first aid kit. It's not cheap but lasts for ages.

http://www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/derma_gel.htm

Wow - looks like fab stuff - I have never seen that here. We can't import animal treatments to NZ :( without a customs MAF approval - and that takes alot of money and time.... usually done by retailers/wholesalers....

I tried bringing in some herbal spray once and it was confiscated by MAF :confused:

[NZdressage]

oooooo thats so sad poor blue, the wounds look superficial though so hopefully he will be ok soon. give him heaps of cuddles and carrots from me!!

[VickiGG]

thanks Ashleigh - just looked at your blog and piccies before you posted - how weird is that! Lovely pictures...

He was very lucky.... every time I say that I cringe - it feels funny saying it - the horse that beat him up is named Lucky!

[NZdressage]

lol that is weird, and thanks for your lovely comments!!
dermagel is in NZ but it has steroids in it so you dont want to be competing as if youre tested it will come up positive.

[NZdressage]

btw i love your blog its great!

[VickiGG]

btw i love your blog its great!

thanks! Glad you like it....

I must keep my eye out for dermagel then.... do you get it from vets?

I don't compete Garbo on any registered level so don't need to worry - mind you don't really like steroids much either - but if in a gel I guess not as bad...

and Blue doesn't go ANYWHERE man - he hates the float - due to his other lives with previous owners :(

It's a real shame because as a lead rein pony he would be sooooo cute and so good at it

[NZdressage]

Yeah I think just from the vets, its great stuff!!

[moniek]

woh those are nasty.
i hope for you that he wil be ok sone.
but why is there a barbwire fence on your land?
this is so dangeros for horses they cant see this good so they wil easy walk in to it.
Over here in the netherlands its llegal to use that.
I will never allow my horses on a land with barbwire fence i have seen horses been killed because there tendon's where cut off and than they wil put down.
this is a terrible way to die.
i hope your horse wil recover fast and maby you cab do something about the fence.
good luck!!
moniek

[hannah:)]

Interesting stuff about the honey - though I'm surprised he didn't just lick it off! He looks pretty perky in that last photo, so hopefully he is on the mend.:)

[magicalmac]

Glad to hear Blue is feeling a bit better. Those wounds are looking good, nice and clean. The video made me smile-he looks camera shy. Keep us posted and virtual hugs and carrots to Blue.