This is not a Nursing issue, but I had a very bad night tonight. First I get to work and get a phone call about 1930 from my husband that my Mare is in foal and something is wrong. I've had her 19years and so I'm upset.I tell him to call a vet, I'm at work, can't leave, I AM the relief help. Second phone call , she's down and it's bad, he needs help. I can't leave, no way. I call my daughter, she goes over to my house and calls me, it's very bad. Fortunately, by this time another unit is now over staffed, thanks to 2 codes that went bad, Would I like to go home? Not really, but I love my horse and she's dying. I go home, I get here and find out my husband has been calling the same vet, over and over. I try a new one I've never used, and will from now on, he comes over. The Mare is in a bad way. I'm a Nurse, I got a strong stomach, Right? Evidentally not. He says he has to cut the foals head off , it's dead and stuck , the mare will die if he doesn't. My husband holds her head, the vet hold the metal rod in her lady parts, and I have to pull the wire back and forth until it cuts off the head. I am sick, sick, sick. Then we have to pull out the rest of the poor little thing. My mare may die anyway, it's too soon to tell. I can't get the decapitated baby out of my mind. I'm a Nurse, I'm supposed to be strong, but not this! I pray to God I will forget. I am heart broken and I have to tell the kids when they get up. I'm not telling them about the head, I can't. I don't know what I'll tell them if the mare dies. I'm just sick.Thanks for letting me vent.
She is a remarkable horse. She saved my son , who was 2 at the time, from being trampled by a herd of running horses by out running the whole group , skidding to a halt in front of him and carefully stepping over him to shield him with her body. He had gotten away from his sisters and ran into the pasture right when the horses were running through a narrow passage for the barn to get fed. I couldn't catch him and was screaming my head off as I ran. I saw her stretch out and run alike the wind and pass them all. When the others ran past her, I couldn't see my son, only Khaia standing shock still. I fully expected to find my son's body, but what I found was him sitting on the dirt under her, hugging a leg for dear life. She never moved until I picked him up, and then she ran off to the barn to chase whoever was in "her"stall out. Had I not seen it myself, along with my daughters and husband, I would not have believed it. Thanks again for your prayers and support. We appreciate it!!!Cat
What an awesome tribute to Khaia!! God's creature that she is!!! Incredible! She loves you all just as much as you love her it would seem! Continued blessing for her recovery!!!
What an incrediably journey you and your husband have been on - there no such thing as being prepared when it is someone or pet you love - This vet must be a good person - BTW what happened to the other vet -
I do hope that Khaia comes through more than OK -
I know it is not relavant in the sense but but your story made me remeber when l did Mid - 30 years ago - we had to do a decapitation on a baby who had died just prior to delievry arm presentation all sorts of things went wrong - it was a poor wee 16 year old. The grandmother asled to llok at her at the hospital we advised her not to. Things were so diffeernt then as to how we approachhed greiving and managed losing babies- It was just such a horrendous image not one that the Midwives - I was a student at the time - felt it was fair to cope with.
I am sorry l didnt mean to get onto that but your story triggered those thoughts. - It wasnt a good memory - so l really feel for you when you were so involved with your animal who you love so much
So sorry for the traumatic exp. with the foal, I feel for you, but so so glad the mare has pulled through. I've heard other stories about horses protecting their human family. Your mare sounds sooo special!
Anyway, thanks for waking me up. I've felt so guilty since I've started school. The only attention my beloved horses were getting from me was a can of grain thrown in their bucket as I go on my way & back home from school!
I'm going to the barn today and do some serious horse bonding!!
So sorry to here about your mare. I love horses I hope she pulls through. Unlike people your horse will never lead you into danger and I'm sure they sense your every mood and feeling. When I use to ride my little appalousa always new when I need to vent and he would gallop up to full speed and we would fly with the wind leaving all worryies behind.
Mostly remember your not a nurse at home or when it comes to family. I learnt that the hard way as a student nurse when my Nanny had a massive stroke. I couldn't cry I couldn't mourn I was a nurse and had to be strong.
Hope everyone including you and your children and spouse are ok
Cat -whew! Continued prayers are with you. I feel for you . When we lived on the farm, I was about 14. My Irish Setter, Bridget got accidently pregnant by a stray. The puppies died in utero and she delivered a stinky infected mess.Some wouldn't come out, Iwas the only one home. I called the vet and he told what what to do as he headed over. I delivered three still borns. It was horrific but worse was seeing Bridget in pain and then mourning her loss. I was so afraid I'd lose her, the vet said it was very close call.
I find it amazing that people in pain and even dead don't bother me near as much as animals. I guess that's why I'm a nurse not a vet. I love animals too much. Eeeww what does that say about me? Oh well I've survived this long.
Cat hope Khaia makes a full recovery-she sounds so wonderful!
Wow, I'm glad the mare turned the corner and seems to be on the road to recovery. Thank heaven!! for that second vet!!
I really appreciate the story about your horse saving your little boy from the other horses. It really taught me a lesson. I've never liked horses and never thought they were intelligent enough to do anything like that. I guess maybe the way they're brought up has a lot to do with how they act as grown up horses.
I'm glad she's doing better. I'm sorry you lost your foal.
Update on Khaia, she is doing very well and appears to be making a full recovery despite the odds. I don't think she'll ever have another foal, but I don't care. I don't intend to try and find out. Thank you all for your prayers and support. You've really helped me in my time of need, thanks again...Cat
Khaia passed away peacefully during the night of December 31, 2003. She had lost weight dramatically over the course of a two week period, and the vet could find no cause. I had resorted to feeding her by hand for the last several days and she rallied and began to eat , drink and stand without assistance. She even trotted over to me the day before she died. I was totally shocked to find her dead the following morning. Kadence, her pasture mate, stood over her until they came to bury her. He has always "Freaked out" when separated from her and run the fence, trying to get back to her, but he stayed calmly in his stall and watched her burial. He hasn't freaked out since. I believe he knew and understood she was gone forever. I took her death rather badly, and still cry when I look out to where she is buried. I will miss her for the rest of my days. there will never be another like her.
After all you have been through with your mare, I am really sorry. I just signed up to this BB this summer and was reading your story today. I send you peace.
NurseShell
198 Posts
What an awesome tribute to Khaia!! God's creature that she is!!! Incredible! She loves you all just as much as you love her it would seem! Continued blessing for her recovery!!!