Kasane knew when Isis had passed. All of the horses had come running up to the front of the pastures and watched her. I had felt Isis pass the torch to Kasane over the summer. It’s hard to describe what that is like, sensing your older mare watch you and be less affectionate and then have the youngster suddenly demand attention. Once Isis passed, Kasane started calling to me when I went out...
Continue reading...Isis
I should know better
It’s been almost two months since Isis passed. I took a brief break from working and read through the post I wrote about Kasane at the Pony Club / Horsemaster game day. Kasane was such a goof that day — and she was so good. Remembering that day made me smile. And then I came to the posts of Isis’ EPM history. I kept scrolling. I don’t know why. Stupid, stupid me. Because...
Continue reading...Song for Isis
My friend Kat suggested a song for Isis: Hole’s Heaven Tonight. Some of the lyrics seemed very appropriate. Here comes a sign in the form of a girl She’s the finest, sweetest thing in the world Oh, take you to Heaven tonight I feel the horses coming galloping In the summer’s end Take you to Heaven tonight Oh, because I love you For what you are I’ll gallop to you Tonight, tonight I...
Continue reading...Isis’ 2011 EPM episode: Guide to posts
This post provides a table of contents and timeline for everything that happened with Isis while she had EPM in 2011. It’s not been an easy journey, but I am so glad that she had a few great days. I got my girl back before she left for good. Previous EPM history Isis was first diagnosed with EPM in June 2009. She had an acute onset with atypical symptoms: moderate ataxia (loss of...
Continue reading...Isis’ 2011 EPM episode: Picture comparison
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious equine neurological disease caused by an infestation of protozoans–either Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi. (The web site, EPM horse, has an excellent explanation of what EPM is, the life cycle of the protozoans involved, and the symptoms horses with EPM can exhibit.) The Pathogenes’ webinar, “A Novel Strategy for Treatment and Protection against EPM,” provides a good overview of EPM, existing treatments, and the new treatment...
Continue reading...Giving meaning to loss
I did something very difficult last night: I went to the Horsemasters meeting and talked about Isis’ death to a group of people who understand what it is like to lose a horse. I wanted to warn people about EPM and tell them that there is a new treatment available and that it made a world of difference for Isis. And some times, unfortunately, it can be too late, too, but it was...
Continue reading...And then she was gone…
This is a post I never thought I would write: the details of the passing of my beloved mare, Isis Bint Sirdar. You always know you’ll have to write this type of post, but you never want to think about it, and you never want to actually do it. I’m doing both because I am hoping that the details of what happened with Isis will help someone else avoid what we went through....
Continue reading...Isis Bint Sirdar: March 8, 1993 to October 11, 2011
Isis did so well on the Oroquin. She was back to herself. I was so excited to have my girl back: to hear her nicker when I walked into the barn, pull a halter off the wall and toss it on the ground to get my attention, and to be riding again. I wasn’t posting here. I have a backlog of posts showing how much she improved on the Oroquin. She had an...
Continue reading...Isis and Kasane playing
Another shaky cam video, but it really shows just how far Isis has come. Over the past week, I’ve been putting Isis and Kasane into the big ring together with the hope of eventually turning them out into a pasture together. We’ve turned Isis and Prize out together so they could run the length of a field and really stretch. I thought it would be fun to have all three of my girls...
Continue reading...The Miracle Mare returns!
I got my mare back this weekend. Maybe not fully recovered, but her spirit and long strides are returning. She is not fully recovered from the EPM. She has a long way to go to regain her muscle, but she’s getting her strength back. She’s trotting with strong, floating strides up and down hills. I started taking Isis on walks a few times per week just before she started Oroquin. We go on...
Continue reading...First video post-treatment for Isis
This is the first video of Isis after she completed the Oroquin-10 trial. I took this video in the ring and she was very reluctant to move. More of a “Ah, mom, do I gotta? I just wanna eat my hay…” She is moving better and picking up her toes (although definitely lacking enthusiasm). Related Images:
Continue reading...Walking out with Isis
The Bay Wonder Mare is showing her amazing recovery powers again. She’s picking up her toes and moving out with style. It’s amazing that she’s been on the Oroquin-10 for a week and she is already almost back to normal. Some of the people at the barn have commented that Isis looks like she has gained more weight. Her muscling over her shoulders seems to be coming back, slowly but surely. I’m amazed...
Continue reading...Ring versus paddock with Isis
It’s Isis’ fifth day of treatment on Oroquin-10. Every day when I go out, I start looking for little improvements — and I’m often rewarded with a lot more than I expected. Today, Isis’ toe dragging was much improved, when walked in the ring. When Isis is more interested in what is going on, then she drags her toes a lot less. When I had her in the paddock today, she seemed to...
Continue reading...Updates on the girls
First, Isis. She has had two doses of the Oroquin-10. From what I read about the drug, some horses improve as early as 3-5 days after treatment starts. We went for a walk up and down the lane near the barn. A reasonable walk in hand with some grazing, for about 15-20 minutes. The first thing I noticed is that she isn’t dragging her toes in the dirt like she was before. She...
Continue reading...First day on meds
Isis’ medicine arrived today via shipment. (I love it how a “morning” shipment arrives at 11:30 AM.) The medicine is an apple-flavored powder that can be fed in Isis’ grain: one scoop, once per day for 10 days. That’s it. She ate her first dose in some beet pulp and licked the bucket clean. Seems like this is going to go very well for her eating the meds. Good news for Isis. Unfortunately,...
Continue reading...