Hives and Colics and Other Things That Are Not Schooling

Last Tuesday I turned 30, and my beloved horse gifted me with his first colic episode (since I've owned him) and an emergency vet call.

It wasn't even for anything interesting, like cutting his leg off. (Which, I am sure he is currently doing, because that is my life.)

Nope. This vet call was for an allergic reaction to...
Oh. Look. Outrageous hives.
Wait for it...
Oooh. Hives the size of quarters!
Keep waiting for it ...
Oh yeah. That's a few massive hives on his face and eyelids.
... rain. At least, that's the best we can figure.

See, it's been raining in Maryland for somewhere around 17 days straight. Not a ton of rain, but we haven't seen the sun in so long that people are starting to go a little crazy. Not just the people, actually, but also the grass. The grass has decided to grow a strange little fungus that causes some horses to break out in horrid, itchy, puffy hives. And, it maybe causes a little mild colic, too.
Omg. So hivey. Like he's filled with bees.
Great.

Plus side? After fighting this for three days, we've discovered it's nothing a little lot of Dex and 20 pills of generic Zyrtec a day can't solve. Down side? I had a schooling show yesterday, and hadn't schooled my horse in a third level frame ridden my horse in over a week.

So, you know. That went well.
Spoiler alert. Things did not go well.

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. Luckily the hives have been gone for a couple of days now. Hopefully they don't reappear at our next show! Yikes!

      Delete
  2. Never a dull moment around here huh.... At least it's going to be sunny today? Anyway happy bday. Next beer (or five) are on me!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's always something isn't it? Horses just seem to know when it's time to try and break themselves. Hopefully you can ride him this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I better be able to ride! He's kind of a mess, training-wise.

      Delete
  4. Poor little mite, I hope he feels better soon. Sorry to hear that this made the show interesting in the wrong way

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Note to self: Shoulder-in to renver does not include an optional rear in between the movements. Also, half passes are better when ridden in collected canter, not a full out bolt. Whoops.

      Delete
  5. Hmmm. Same rain here. Q had a very mild colic episode last Tuesday. Maybe it's because of the same thing? Regardless, super bizarre and unexpected and slightly terrifying!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ughhhhhh! Miles gets rain rot from DEW, if it makes you feel any better. Thus, he is not allowed on night turnout.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Omg. That's awful. Thank god we don't have too many rain rot issues, especially since he's pasture boarded!

      Delete
  7. Dude, I'm in the same boat with Riley! Two mild colic episodes in three weeks... he is not appreciating Spring this year at all. And now he's decided that being really spooky under saddle is fun:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah! I'm really thinking it's something similar. Especially since we're all so close. Might just be a regional thing. I've never heard of it back in the Midwest.

      Delete
  8. Awww, what a nice birthday present for you! Er, not.

    ReplyDelete
  9. At least Pig remembered your birthday? (Glad he is feeling better!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. He wanted to do something unique for your bday ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well that will get your attention. At least you're not in a drought?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny story... we are still behind on rainfall.

      Delete
  12. I like my horses like I like my coffee, filled with beeeeeessssss.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Today on the Family Learning Channel, angry ticks fly out of my... oh nvm.

      Delete
  13. 20 pills of Zyrtec a day is a silly amount of pills! I hope Pig is feeling back to his usual self and that you had an otherwise happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, I'm wondering if they test for USEF. It's always something!

      Delete

Post a Comment