Snowflake's Story

My Second Day in Foster Care -- Vet
April 1, 2005

This morning when Foster Mom comes to get me, I am ready for a walk. After the stall cleaning we go out and I start nibbling the grass with a little more enthusiasm. Then we walk near the back pasture where there are four other horses. They start running around and whinnying. I answer. Everyone is excited. I try and do a couple of kicks with both back feet off the ground, but I amost fall. She takes me a little farther away. We calm down a little so I can munch some of this delicious grass. When foster Mom takes me back to the barn, I am angry that she took me away from all the other horses. I haven't seen horses is so long, and I want to be part of a herd. She knows I am upset and she puts her 24 year old horse Whitney in a stall accross from me, so we can see each other. Having company is not as good as running with the rest of the herd, but I understand that I am probably not well enough to play hard.

My Mom is anxious for the vet to come so she can check on my health. Since I am in such a emaciated and fragile condition she is not sure if she can give me wormer like she would do for a healthy horse. She wants to get some bloodwork done to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong with my body that would make it difficult for me to gain weight and get healthy. She wonders if my body will have permanent damage due to the starvation I've suffered. She knows I probably need vitamin and mineral supplements, but wants to make sure the vet approves. She has never seen a horse like me and is very concerned. She knows I need some vaccinations too, but will the vet want to do that while I am in this condition?

I know my spirits are high and I have a lot of energy. I can't wait to see those horses in the pasture again. I guess I will be in this stall all day again.

Geez, early afternoon some more people arrive. I recognize foster Mom and one of the nice ladies from my first day. There is another lady in a big truck. I know something is happening, I can sense my people's nervousness. Dad has me in my halter and he has the leadrope. Then the new lady puts a substance on my neck. I smell the tartness...the acridity....it is alcohol! Fear fills my body, I rear and back away. I think I scared them. I don't remember why this smell scares me so, but I am highly agitated. I trot around in fast circles. Mom makes me go both directions. My people are talking about what to do.......NOW I KNOW, this must be the VET!

I don't mean to cause trouble, but I am afraid. The vet needs to take my blood, I know, but past memories stir and cause fear in me. Finally, it is decided to let me run in the pasture, I am not used to the stall. Mom lets me off the lead and I whirl and flee.....I run as fast as I can....I run past the pond, I run to the top of the hill, I see the fence, I stop, I twirl, I run back, downhill, past the pond, I trip, I go down on my knee, I manage to maintain my frantic pace, my people are distressed, but I want to find my herd, I love being free, but I don't want to be alone. My people must sense this, they bring my barn buddy, Whitney, a wise old mare and stand by the fence. I feel calm, I am sweating, I am breathing hard, I am frightened and exhilerated from running free in the big pasture. I don't understand what I am supposed to do, I didn't know I had the strength to run that far and that fast.

My people are still here. I know they still need my blood. I fight a bit more and I start to relax with a nose massage. She takes some blood. I don't know why I was so terrified. It really didn't hurt at all. I was afraid these people would hurt me but they didn't.

More discussions, they take Whitney away. I FREAK. I don't want to be alone again. My people bring Whitney back. I calm. They decide to turn Whitney and me loose together in the pasture. She runs screaming fast to find her herd. I follow as fast as can. She can't find her herd, they are still in the barn. She doesn't know that I want to be her herd...I want to belong...I need her. She runs back, I follow. I am exhausted, my mind takes over and I feel nothing. Our people are worried that my frail frame cannot withstand this exertion. I just know I need to be close to Whitney. They let the rest of Whitney's herd out in the other pasture. Whitney and I can see them and she calms. I start to eat the fresh green grass. I settle and hope that I might be allowed to become a part of this equine family...

Calm ensues, the Spring temperature starts to take a dive. Mom and Dad bring a blanket for me, but they let me stay in the pasture with Whitney. As the daylight fades, they take me and Whitney to the barn. The rest of the herd comes into their stalls. The excitement fades. I have grain and hay. I get a tube of probiotics to help my stomach. I am ready for an evening full of rest. My barn sounds good. My barn smells good. I smell my herd. I smell and sleep and eat. My bones are tired. What will tomorrow bring?