February, 2010

February 29th, 10:36pm: It was a busy day again (sigh…is there any other type anymore?). Windchill did a fair job of tiring himself out, spending the day lifting his head and turning his neck to look around, and moving his legs. Unfortunately for us, but probably good for him, he’s learned he can ‘walk’ himself in his stall by pushing himself around  by pushing on either the hay bales or stall walls. While it’s good leg development exercise, it makes it a pain to keep the blankets under his head! Having done this during the day, he managed to tire himself out pretty good so his evening stand was shorter than other nights. He walked around, said “hello” to the crew, went between his water bucket and the hay bales and eventually decided enough was enough, he was going to rest. We ushered folks out earlier tonight to let him rest.

His usual evenings are spent with his care team all arriving almost exactly at 6pm. He knows all of our voices and he knows what’s coming so he prepares himself by pushing himself off the bales if we have him propped up and he lays perfectly still waiting. University of California-Davis recommended turning him over 20 minutes before his lifts to get the circulation going and make the transition easier for him – that helped considerably as he would spend the first couple of minutes after each lift prior to that getting his legs warmed up and steady under him. They’ve also been a wonderful resource helping with nutritional and dietary tips. The sling is then placed under Windchill and he is rolled onto it – still patiently and calmly waiting. The lift crew has now worked together so much it’s like a well-oiled machine and as he is carefully lifted he is turned and balanced until his legs are under him and suddenly we have liftoff – Windchill’s legs reach the ground and he’s up! We have to watch him sometimes, on nights he’s feeling like making a break for it,  he makes a beeline for the open stall door. After that we generally mingle while he munches and gets a massage as well good brushing. He goes back and forth between Sunday and Kisses stall walls. As the evening gets later, we go from overhead stall lighting to night lighting in the aisle to let the horses wind down from the activity. Lastly, as people depart and it’s just us we watch him for awhile to make sure he’s settling in for the night okay and then it’s lights out except for the night light and 6 colts and fillies slumber while visions of hay bales dance in their heads, overseen by a crabby old lady named Annie who keeps them all in their places and a tired Australian Shepherd who has set up camp in Windchill’s stall each night on a bale of hay in the corner.

February 29th, 2:12pm: I’m going to try and get the cam going again today so it should (knock on wood) be on at least intermittently today into the evening.

Windchill is in an impatient mood at this point, apparently feeling rested and raring to go. Rachael was here with him for the morning and early afternoon so he’s well-read in horse literature and apparently getting his Christmas list ready as he spent some time perusing equine catalogs as well.

February 29th, 10:28am: If anyone has any extra square bales of fine stemmed straight alfalfa hay, please contact us. Based on UC-Davis’ recommendation, we have changed his diet to alfalfa hay, and really need to locate a source for this type of hay. We are NOT asking that it be donated, and please make sure you have enough for your own livestock. PLEASE EMAIL KATHI DAVIS DIRECTLY at:
Kathi:  kat@safehavenwalkinghorses.com

February 29th, 10:11am: I’ve had all manner of trouble with the computers and internet connection this morning so I apologize for the delay in getting an update up. Better than yesterday morning though – with all the coffee we’re making we burned out our coffee maker so bought a new one – it’s second carafe of coffee ever I managed to drop it, shatter it, and wind up with 2nd degree burns on my foot proving the adage “never let a cowboy make the coffee.” I’m fine but what stupid things we do when we’re really tired, huh? Bought another carafe and another coffee maker which will get us caught up on the coffee consumption so we’re set.

Windchill’s was tired this morning, kind of goes in stages based on how long he’s been up standing (that whole kid up too late thing I guess) but in good spirits. We had a really nice wind down to the day yesterday, he munched on salad while we drank coffee and hot cocoa and talked. He gets so relaxed with people quietly talking around him. I remember feeling that way when I was little staying at my grandma’s cabin – early, early in the morning – the time we now get up to take care of the little guy – I could hear grandma quietly talking to grandpa as they brewed coffee. The cabin was heated by wood so the two smells we’d wake up to were strong black coffee and wood burning. I don’t know if Windchill feels the same but he seems to be so relaxed when it’s just those he’s gotten attached to sipping coffee and quietly talking. I hope he remembers these memories the same as I do.

(shots from last night – see how his neck and shoulder muscles are developing! And look dad – my ribcage is slowly disappearing – yeah!)

February 28th, 10:00pm: I managed to get the cam up later in the evening – sorry there wasn’t a lot of time but hopefully you got to see Windchill unwinding with few of his ‘staff’. He sure is beginning to fill out, isn’t he? There are times during the day before his lift that when he lifts his head and moves his legs I can see him getting up without the sling in the not too distant future. It makes me so proud to know him. So much spirit in such a small body. He was still up at last check – he always reminds me of a little kid getting to stay up past his bedtime. He looks, whinnies, and wanders over, still munching some hay. We tell him it’s okay to be up past his bedtime – he can stand as long as he wants. When he’s tired he carefully picks his spot in the hay and lowers himself down – again like that little kid finally giving in to being tired.

Apparently the news is out now about the charges being filed in his case:

February 28th Duluth News-Tribune article on charges being filed

I’ve heard from folks it was on television as well. We’re not in the house until late so haven’t seen the coverage. One of our Friends of Barbaro sent me the article above (which is kind of funny given that I actually live here and didn’t know about it!)

February 28th, 9:26pm: A quick FYI, we’re getting a lot of emails from folks asking about where to send donations, please note there is a donation link above. We have established a fund for Windchill.

I’d like to apologize to those involved in Windchill’s care for the ‘flak’ they have received from various factions. You didn’t deserve it and I’m sorry my desire to recognize in some small way the wonderful contributions each of you have made has led to stress in your lives. Know that we appreciate you more than words can express and that you are not omitted from recognition here by oversight but an attempt to safeguard your privacy and integrity.

February 28th, 4:45pm: I’m home and was greeted by a LOUD whinny from the little guy. His neck muscles have developed so much he lifted his head to look and kicked his legs letting me know to hurry up! Apparently he has a pretty good clock. He’s in high spirits, the volunteers said he spent the day doing similar things. This has been a great week, seeing the spirit shine and his body finally starting to catch up with his will and attitude. Remember when you see him to compliment his shiny coat – he’s quite proud of it! Time to get some more coffee out to the barn and get him ready to stand. I’ll see if I can get the webcam set up again, it’s harder when everyone is here as there’s not a lot of room in the tack area to leave it up and running and there’s not a wide area of view with everyone sort of lingering nearby. I’ll give it a try but apologize in advance if I’m not able to get that set up. Oh, and Windchill said to say “thanks!” to those that baked him chocolate chip cookies – I’m keeping watch over them as well as a service to him.

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I thought you might like a break from the Windchill chronicles and see what just plain enjoying a nice winter day is like for Bonnie and Simmer.

Jeff

February 28th, 8:23am: Windchill was up  standing and walking around most of the night – munching away and drinking most of his water. He sure loves the alfalfa! He’s in a really sweet mood this morning and trying to get up. You can certainly feel the difference in his neck, where he’s developing muscles and beginning to fill out. He’s also gotten heavier to lift and is standing taller so we’ll probably have to raise the winch up a bit.

We’ve gotten quite a few emails regarding visiting the little guy. Only weekday visitors need to be pre-scheduled by us- this coming Saturday is open to everyone all day – no reservations needed. Sunday the barn will be closed to visitors.

If you do come visit we ask that you please remember the barn is very similar to a hospital room or a nursery – indoor voices only, please do not bring your pets, if you do bring children please explain to them the need to walk and talk calmly in the barn area and that Windchill can only be fed the hay in the stall and limited other items we will have on hand. With 19 other horses to visit while you’re here, there’s plenty of opportunities to pet and feed lots of horses, a dog and cats. Barn & Farm Rules

February 28th, 1:06am: Were you able to watch the cam earlier tonight? Unfortunately I had to place it across the aisle where I think it was tough to see much. A computer company (Compudyne) from Duluth put in a signal booster thing in the barn. Friday we should have a barn cam in there as well.

The lift went very well, the little guy was eager and waiting this evening for liftoff. It’s the favorite part of his, and all of our day. He’s getting both heavier and believe it or not, taller already. That’s good as well. We heard the news today that the DA is going to charge the owners of the farm he was at when we rescued him. We were asked for statements on how we felt and it was difficult to think about. We have been so wrapped up in and focused on caring for Windchill and taking each day as it comes that we hadn’t really thought that side of things, leaving that up to the Sheriff’s Department and the DA:

02/23: Duluth News-Tribune Story on the Pending Charges