Dan is sick.

[Gwenllian]

Today I went out for a brief ride.It had to be brief, because I had things to do,AND it was rather hot for both of us.We didn't have a very enegetic hack, just walk and one very brief trot as I remember, but..on the return journey,Dan just collapsed from under me.I was stuck with my foot under his belly,and couldn't get off.I used my mobile to phone hubby, but he was rounding up sheep for shearing and couldn't hear his phone for the bleating.So, I phoned my friend,and she and her husband came to my assistance.I was on a country road rather narrow, just over the brow of a hill!!Scarey!Dan's breathing was really odd;I thought he was dying.My friend's husband just managed to roll him enough to get my foot out,when Dan started to roll and kick, and his eyes were staring.After thrashing about a bit,with me half on board, he got to his feet, and as I prepared to dismount as fast as I could, he went all wobbly and crashed to the ground again.A passer-by called a vet, who came to the roadside,pronounced that it was epilepsy, and given his age that I should have him put down, and she promptly disappeared.She gave him a muscle relaxant,we got him into the trailer, somehow, and brought him home.My own vet has been this evening.He was much more sympathetic, and is a horse vet.He felt he had to agree with the diagnosis.He has told me to think very hard about what I want to do.It might or might never happen again.I have a broken shoulder,a swollen purple foot,and my helmet,which is a Christy Troxel (Micro lite type) is shattered spider's web style, from the crown.My vet told me there was no urgency to decide, but to take a good look at my helmet if I needed help in deciding.He said there was certainly no problem in keeping him as a companion horse, but that I should think hard before riding him again, and that I should NEVER ever let anyone else ride him.I feel sore, bewildered,shattered,....oh..oh the water works are starting...... catcha later!Maybe tomorrow.

[intouch]

What an awful experience. I can't offer anything other than to say my thoughts are with you and Dan. Thank God it wasn't worse for you - bad enough of course. Brings home the fragility of the illusion we live. Much love.

[Sue]

Hi Gwenllian

Sorry to hear about your awful experience. I'm just so glad that you weren't more seriously hurt. We know you'll make the right decision. We're thinking about you.

[Rebecca]

Gwenllian, that's really terrible news. From reading your posts I know that Dan is an utter sweetheart. All my sympathy and best wishes are with you while you try to make decisions about his future. My heart really goes out to you.

I'm sorry I'm not better at putting this, but I wanted to express my sympathy, and I hope you get better soon.

Rebecca

[Allie]

How awful! My prayers and best wishes...

Allie

[Nancy]

So very sorry for you both. I was involved in a very similar situation and know how you must feel. Take care, feel better and know that our prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Nancy

[cheney]

so sorry about you and about Dan. Take the time that you need in deciding what to do. I am so sorry about your injuries, but I am glad that it wasn't worse (hips and so forth.) I feel for you and will keep you in my prayers.

Cheney

[Mossy]

What can I say. He is such a poppet. Whatever you decide I know it will be the right decision for you. How are you feeling mentally. Silly question really. I hate to think how I would feel in that position.

[K]

So sorry to hear about Dan, my love and best wishes to you both...I'll be thinking of you...

Kirsty

[Charlotte]

So sorry. What more can I say.

Just to let you know that we're all thinking of you and wish you a speedy recovery. I certainly wouldn't make a decision until I had recovered from my own injuries, especially as the vet says there's no hurry.

I have to say, if it was my horse and he was ok to keep as a pet/companion, I would keep him as a pet.

You know that you will make the best decision for both of you.

Best wishes.

[Anna.C]

Gwenllian,
Very sorry to hear about Dan. You're in all our thoughts at the moment.
Anna

[Wally]

Gwenllian,

What can I add? Everyone has said everything!
One thing I would say is take your time, do things your way, there are no rules to adhere to.
I really am so sorry to here this, get better.

[Kimbo]

Gwenllian

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dan. My thoughts are with you as you face this challenge, but don't forget - there are thousands of people with epilepsy who lead normal, happy, fulfilling lives and there's no reason why Dan can't do that too, with you.
Whatever you decide, it'll be right for you and Dan.

Good luck

Kim

[alexa]

I am so sorry to hear about this frightening experience. I hope you have recovered a bit from the shock. We are all thinking of you and Dan and I am sure that even if he can no longer be ridden he will be able to live a full and happy life near to you. I have a nephew who is epileptic and his main problem is not being allowed to drive but I guess that would not be a problem in Dan's case !!
best wishes
Alexa

[Rachel R]

Gwenllian,
I am so sorry to hear that. Dan really did sound like your perfect horse. I hope that you are OK, I am sure that you will make the right choice for Dan.
Thinking of you,

Rachel

[evevavra]

I am really sorry to hear about your horse and your injuries . I hope both of you get well soon. I'm sure this is a hard for Dan as for you to deal with, but deciding together will be easier. I know this may sound corney, but I have a paint mare who is nearly 28 yrs old and I have never made a decision regarding her welfare without talking to her about it, she's still with me as a companion and I've never been sorry about that choice. My prayers are with you.

[fran]

Gwenllian - so sorry to hear your news. How awful for both of you. As others have said, I know that whatever you decide will be the right thing to do. Let us know if we can help in any way.
love, fran

[Queenie]

Gwenllian,

I'm so very sorry for what happened. It must be heartbreaking. All our thoughts are with you & Dan. I'm sure you will make the right decision as you love him so much. Get well soon.

Thinking of you & Dan,
Suzi

[Jay Kay]

I know what you are going through, the same thing happened to me 4 yrs ago, I was riding at the time as well, but unlike yourself I wasn't so badly hurt.
My mare was 16 at the time and I had owned her for 6 yrs, without any previous problems. The only thing I could think of that may have triggered the initial fit was the fact that she was a little distressed at leaving behind her best friend in the field, a gelding, and she was in season. This is obviously not the same as Dan, you probably will never know what triggered his fit.
I never did ride my mare again, she has been retired since then and is now 20 yrs, I have never seen her have another occurence,that is not to say that it has never happened just that I havn't seen it.
I make sure that my children (teenagers now) do not handle her, just in case and she has a roomy stable with plenty of bedding,That is the only special treatment she gets, no medication or remedies, she enjoys life and although a little stiff now, still has a 'silly half hour' with the rest of our little herd.
It is very much an individual choice as to what to do next, but I would take your time when your emotions are still running high you probably are not able to make a decision.
Get better first, keep us posted, we are all thinking of you

jay kay

[Gwenllian]

Well,the only evidence that there was ever a problem yesterday, is my sling and purple foot!!Thanks so much everybody for your posts,I kind of told you because,I felt like you all almost know him!!(Yes...ok..I talk about him all the time, I know!!)I'm most overwhelmed by the reponse I've had, it has been a wonderful surprise.I still can't believe it.But Dan looks fine.The vet says wait about a month and see what happens.I want to ride him again,but then I look at my helmet.The vet was quite right,about that.It doesn't bear thinking about what state I would have been in, had I not been wearing one.Dan has a few cuts and bruises and that's all.The vet has been back today, and did a blood test,he says it's possible that it was quite simply too hot for him, because everything else is normal.Heart lungs etc...etc...He thinks he may however have some permanent worm damage from years of not being correctly wormed,before he came to me.He lived in a huge yard,I won't say where,they had 80 horses,the grazing was appalling,they weren't turned out until June, who knows whether or not there was Ragwort there, but apparently and this IS only hearsay..a horse drowned there after I had Dan, trying to cross a river to better grazing...Can't say if that's true or not.(By the way, Mossy,this is a BHS approved school too!)Any way, the long and short of it is, that if Dan has liver damage, then the fit was probably attributable to this,and therefore it probably won't be the last,in which case his riding days are over.I just can't believe it.He's taught me just about everything I know.I'm not ready to give up riding yet, but looking into the future, it would seem so disloyal to replace him.Yes...his stable manners leave a bit to be desired.....but since owning Dan, my biggest fear,which was being bolted with, especially on the road, has become a blur of the past.I don't forget it, but it really is at the back of my mind instead of dictating my every breath when I'm out hacking, like it used to, before I met my friend/employee, Lynda.I don't plan to make any decisions until I feel better and the blood test results are available.We'll see what the situation is then.What ever I decide,I have to make sure I do the best for Dan.He deserves that at the very least.Thanks again for all your posts.Guess the next few weeks will be hard, but I'll let you know.I told a horsey acquaintance of mine this morning and she said..."oh what a shame......still he was ancient wasn't he? You could do with something smarter for dressage anyway.. you're coming along so well.."I think it was her way of trying to make me feel better....does anyone else agree that I would have been justified in re-arranging her Barbie Doll little face??(Silly question...it's just the grief speaking!)Catch you all later and thanks.

[Edited by Gwenllian on 30th Jun 2000 at 06:51 PM]

[Wally]

Glad to hear you sounding a lot better, back to the old fighting, feisty Gwenllian.

Get that shoulder better first before re-arranging Barbie doll clocks!!
Might be good physio though.

Seriously, mind how you go and take everyone elses advice with a pinch of salt. You and your decision are all that counts.

[Mossy]

I never thought that I would hear myself saying this but I will cross everythng and pray it was heatstroke! Let us all know how it goes and look after yourself mentally as wellas physically.
How in the name of whatever can you replace a much loved friend on the basis that you are progressing out of him?! There are too many, normally competitive, folks out there who see a horse as a means to further their own egos. They are losing out, not us who value and respect friendship, however many legs our friends have got.

[ali cat]

so sorry to hear about you and yor dan, there's nothing that hasn't already been said but i wanted to let you know i'm thinking about you both. ali cat

[LindaAd]

I'm so, so sorry Gwenllian - he sounded such a perfect horse, and for it to have happened so suddenly, too. Why do we have to lose horses just when they are at their best?

Isn't there a drug to protect horses from epileptic fits like there is for people? My husband is taking something called epilim to stop him having a fit after a brain haemorrhage, and he should be allowed to drive again soon. If not, then you can't even think of riding him - it would be too dangerous for both of you. Give him early retirement, and keep him as a companion for your new horse (when you are able to think of a new horse), and if you keep giving him lots of love and attention he won't think it's disloyal, he'll think it's lovely, especially if he's getting on a bit! (Forgive me if that sounds flippant - I don't mean it that way. I'm in the same position, except with Tristan it came on slowly, so it's been a lot easier to deal with).

[Gwenllian]

Funny you should say that,my son,13,has epilepsy and also takes Epilim,but it only improves his seizure frequency, it doesn't get rid of them all.My dad takes it too after a brain haemorrage too 20 years ago.He's been driving again for 15 years and has had no problems!!So hope all will be well for your better half.I didn't mean to submit this before, but the kids were fighting and I had to close shop quickly,whilst my house was still in one piece.What I had meant to say was,if Dan's fit was due to liver damage, then medication or not,the outlook is not good,even as a companion horse.IF, as I'm hoping, it was heatstroke,then there is no reason why it should happen again,PROVIDING that I bear this in mind,when I ride on summer days.Much hangs on a blood test result which I expect tomorrow,so, shall keep you all posted.Thanks everybody for your concern and lovely posts.By the way,I'm the proud auntie of a beautiful filly,since about midday, she even had the decency to wait for me to come and watch at a discreet distance!!

[Edited by Gwenllian on 1st Jul 2000 at 08:34 PM]

[judyl]

Gwenllian

What a shock! I've just logged on and thought I'd catch up with all the messages and have just read the whole saga. I'm SO sorry about what's happened. Whatever you decide, it will be the best thing for you. You have to have quiet time to think things through and make a decision.

My heart feels for you and Dan.

Judy

[Elaine]

Gwenllian-I know everything has been said already but I know your decision will be the right one for you and your horse Dan. Good luck

[Mossy]

Congratulations to Mum and aunt. Good luck with dan's test results

[Horse Girl 5000]

I would definitly keep him as a great companion, but you should do what's right for you. I'm VERY glad that nothing else happened. My best wishes to you and Dan!

[Vicki]

Gwen

Don't know what to say other than my thoughts are with you and Dan. Give him a big hug from us all.

Love
Vicki

[Gill]

Just another few words to say how much we feel for you and Dan. Each journey out on our beloved equines holds the possibility of who knows what.... am feeling a bit shaken myself after a bad encounter on the road today, which could have so easily been disaster. Hope you heal quickly. Take your time in thinking of what next, with love, Gill

[Heather]

So sorry to hear of your problems with Dan, Gwenllian, and thank you for your message of sympathy regarding my dear old Butch. I am inclined to agree with your vet. I would sadly be very wary of riding him again, as you have already sustained quite a serious injury, which could so easily have been worse still. But to put him down without giving him a chance of life in retirement, seems a very harsh judgement by the first vet.

See how it goes. If you have the wherewithal to keep him in retirement as a companion, he will still give you lots of pleasure. I know, as I have had six horses in retirement over the last few years, although as you will have seen in my posts on the General section, I have now sadly lost four of my old timers. If you find that his epilepsy improves if he is not ridden, then he will be fine, probably for some years. If it gets worse in time, he will let you know when the time is right, just as mine have.

With all good wishes and do keep us posted on his progress-


Heather

[Maria]

I was really sorry to hear about you and Dan - hopefully your both on the mend now.

If you can keep Dan then don't rush into anything. One of the ponies at the yard where I keep Carrie had a couple of fits around Christmas time and went blind in one eye. The vet wasn't sure whether it was epilepsy, a brain tumour, concussion or something else. The initial view was that the pony would never be rideable again and that he should be destroyed. Very distressing for Jenny (who is still at school) and her Mum, Julie, who was expecting another baby. They decided to turn him out for three months as Julie didn't want to risk any problems while she was pregnant.

Well Vinnie is now back in work and better than ever - his sight has returned and there has been no recurrence of the problem. Vinnie and Jenny came back from a show with beams all over their faces yesterday.

Julie also mentioned another horse that she'd heard of that went blind in one eye after a fit and then came good a year later. So take your time in deciding what is best for you and Dan.