Yesterday one of our stallions, Nakhda Zanj El Bar(El Baraki X Thee Desperado daughter Eternal Grace) above, went Grand Champion at the Florida State Spring Fling, shown beautifully by Mr. Rick Moser. That's the good news. A hundred miles from the farm I received a phone call that one of the mare's due to foal in a month had foal coliced. The Vet had been called, but had two emergencies to attend to before he could get to the farm. She was given bute to relieve discomfort and hand walked by one of my staff. Just as I drove in the driveway at 10:00pm last night she collaped. We managed to get her on her feet again but alas, she collapsed 10 minutes later, went into shock, seisured and died. The next step was to try to save the foal, which would be difficult, given it's prematurity, but I had to try. While they held a phone to my ear, with a 100 year old ivory handled meat knife, the Vet talked me through a Cesarean Section. I managed to get the foal delivered, and gave her mouth to nose respiration and managed to get her to start breathing for 2 minutes, before she stopped breathing and died 5 minutes before the Vet arrived. His conclusion was that her prematurity would have made survival almost impossible. He was very impressed that I was able to perform the c-section and deliver the foal, but I would feel a lot better this morning if she had survived. Sometimes the world of animals is so very glorious, and sometimes it just sucks real bad.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A weekend of sunshine, which instantly turned into a terrible storm.
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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7 comments:
Wade, I am so very sorry ro hear this. I know how much these animals mean to you, and it must really hurt. Congratulations on the bittersweet victory, and the medical accomplishment.
Mary Ann
They are hard to lose and you did a valiant effort to try and save them both.
On another note, beautiful horse and congrats on your show victory.
Mary Ann,
When the Dr. said, "you have to get the baby out", and I asked, "what are the chances of survival", he said, "not much, but it is all you have", I really didn't have much choice. I have to admit, cutting into an animal with a steak knife that you had fed the day before, in the middle of a pasture, with only headlights to see, was one of the most "surreal" experiences of my life. But with Dr. Holbrooke talking me through it from 25 miles away, we came close. Up to your shoulders inside a beautiful animal, is not someplace I want to be again, anytime soon.
Wade
Wade
Wade Mon Cherie;
Congratulation,
you did something that had to be done.
and that is fantastic, and yes you will always remember,
you did your best to save a lovely baby horse.
we are proud of you,
and you can put another feather in your hat.
sincerely Mireille...
Wade - we can never win 'em all mate.
But you'd feel like s***t today if you hadn't tried like hell.
Was impressed by your office - but where's the computer?
Steve,
Jesus mate!!! In the world of show horses, offices are for schmoozing, and not for any real work. The computer is in the sitting room off my bedroom(kinda like what you circus people call a "tip out, only real different)in front of a fire place with a hand carved 150 year old marble face and mantle, under a gold framed John Buckler etching of the South East view of the Cathedral Church of Winchester, gifted to The Honorable and Right Reverend Brownlow North, L.L.D. Lord Bishop of Winchester and Prelate of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and The Very Reverend, The Dean and Chapter. That's where my computer is at.
Wade
Bloody hell - sorry I asked!! LOL
And what do you mean by "... you circus people"??? Gone up in the world now, have you?
When Mr Morris gets here he'll be able to compare your new digs with the real McCoy in the Motherland.
PS: I do agree with Dianne - it sure is a beautiful animal [for a horse!]
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