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Comment by Ellin McGinley Daum on April 9, 2011 at 7:25pm

We are all learning what real love is by your actions.  Letting go is the most difficult part, but the most necessary in these circumstances.  I am very sorry for your loss of such a beautiful colt, but applaud your efforts and decision that you ultimately made.

Comment by Heather Troglauer on April 9, 2011 at 6:49pm

sorry the photos didn't post in the correct order.

Comment by Heather Troglauer on April 9, 2011 at 6:49pm

Very sad day here, but a good day as well.  Will touched many lives in his short time here and he educated us as well.  We went into this fight with the knowledge that the outcome may not be what we wanted, but we had to give it our all. 

I think it's time to start at the beginning and explain all that happened with his birth.  His birth was normal.  Presentation was normal, delivery was normal but from the moment he arrived I knew that he was in trouble because of his head bobbing.  My initial thought was oxygen deprivation and I grabbed the oxygen and started administering while I got Dr. K on the phone.  We also told her about an issue we found with the umbilical cord.  There was a 6" long and about 1" in diameter blood clot in the cord at the navel.  We had never seen anything like this before and we knew it was a problem.

Apparently a blood vessel/artery broke in the umbilical cord during labor and the life saving cord that supplied blood to the foal actually worked backwards and he bled into the cord and his oxygen levels were compromised as well.

These are photos of the umbilical cord and the placenta.

 

Dr K said we would give him time to see if he came around and how muc

h damage was done, but we would not allow him to suffer.  We agreed.

We literally moved into the barn and slept there.  We were on hand to tend to his every need and we did see marked improvement in his strength.  However, his coordination was not there.  He tried to stand, he worked very hard at it and so did we...trying to strengthen his legs and his neck, and each time he tried and got a little stronger, I got a little more hopeful.  He recognized the sound of our voices, especially mine because I talked to him all the time, and he loved his bottle.  He was a great eater....and pee'er and pooper LOL  We did our best to keep him clean as well and that was getting harder to do.

He would look at us and you could see comprehension, and then he would just fuzz out and fall asleep.  He would also stop breathing.  Our vet felt that the portion of his brain that reminded him to breathe was damaged with the oxygen deprivation. 

Last evening while we were awake watching and tending to Will, our vet was scouring articles and sites to try to find more information on his condition.  And that, along with his physical assessment today led us all to believe that his condition was not going to improve to the point that he would have the quality of life we wanted him to have.

This morning we let Blessed Be out with the mares. She ran and bucked and kicked and then came back to the gate to look for her colt.  She soon realized he was not coming and she joined Breeze and her colt in nuzzling and grazing.

Will went peacefully and I believe he is finally whole and comfortable.  And now I believe God's Will Be Done.

Thank you all for your support, your prayers and your encouragment.  Regardless of what we did you stood behind us and that's very much appreciated.

Comment by laurie with on April 9, 2011 at 5:28pm

my heart breaks for us all.....

Comment by Dianne MacDonald on April 9, 2011 at 12:45pm

You all fought the good fight!!  its so hard to know when its time to let go, but the decision was right for Will. Love and hugs and lots of tears.

Comment by Heather Troglauer on April 9, 2011 at 5:21am

His name is Mulligans Run Dreams Will Be Done.  "Will" because he has so much will to fight and will to live.  He is trying very had.

Comment by Claire Hahn on April 9, 2011 at 5:19am

The baby is hanging in there..yeah!! Blessed Be is such a good, loving mother watching over him. I so hope he pulls though. He sure has a fighting spirit.

Comment by Claire Hahn on April 7, 2011 at 10:23pm

My prayers our with him and with you and Shannon. I hope he turns around but whatever the outcome, I hope it will be what is in the best interest of the colt. Bested Be is such a good, loving mother. Hang in there. It looks tougher than Candy's situation. Your cyber family is here for you with many prayers.

Comment by Heather Troglauer on April 7, 2011 at 9:15pm

He had a serious setback this afternoon.  He was constipated and required the vet to come and give her enemas. He is very uncomfortable, even with banamine on board.  We are trying to make him comfortable, but he may just decide to stop fighting. We will take what we get and hope for the best outcome for him.  We thank you for your prayers!

Comment by Dianne MacDonald on April 7, 2011 at 5:22pm

Heather, Thank you so much for allowing us to follow this little one's journey. He seems like such a fighter--I pray that he makes it. I saw Shannon, I think, at 4 am sitting with him and it brought me to tears . You clearly love your animals very much!

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