Here, Sniff My Hand While I Listen To His Heart

I got this shot on Thursday when our equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor, came out to do the rest of the dental work on our horses and a follow-up exam on blind Hawk.  (I had posted a couple of weeks ago about Hawk's current health issues.)  Hawk has also now begun exhibiting some neurological signs -- taking awkward stances, not always seeming to know where his feet are, that kind of thing.  Erin did a neuro exam and more blood work to see if the week's worth of Lasix I had given him had reduced his elevated potassium levels.  Unfortunately, on Friday Erin reported that the lab results showed that while his potassium had come down one point, it was still way above the normal range.  So this medical mystery continues.

That's blind Cash, our two-year old, sniffing Erin's hand (or ... hmm ... maybe checking out the new wedding ring?).  We had lost Hawk's longtime buddy, Rocky, last fall to age-related medical problems.  Over the winter, Cash had started to annoy his Aunt Lena and Cousin Nikki by constantly pestering them.  They were too nice or too gentle or too something to let him have it and put him in his place, and as time went on, he continued increasingly to get on their nerves.  He became ever more the brat.  It was a case of unsettled herd dynamics, and he was trying to figure out where he fit in.

We realized that if the ladies weren't going to dish it out to him, we needed to put him with someone else who could take his manners-training to the next level.  That someone was a big, old gelding like Hawk. 

In just 48 hours with Uncle Hawk, Cash had become a different horse.  He was calm, quiet, and well-behaved.  Hawk must have said something like, "Look, kid, you're way below me in the pecking order, so stop the nonsense or I'll heave you over the fence."  Message received.

Now that Cash knows where he fits, he doesn't feel he has to prove anything to anyone.  So he's a very different boy these days.

We just have to get his manners-and-etiquette coach healthy!

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Don't forget, you can vote every day for us in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.  Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana, and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote.  Invite your family and friends to vote, too! 

Wow .. still No. 3, and that means a $3,000 grant if we can hold that spot!  Please keep voting -- thank you!

Comments

[Mary]

Way to go Hawk! Sometimes youngsters need a man to put them in their place! So happy Cash is behaving better!!!!! Thank you Steve& Alayne!

[Debbie Burke]

I'm impressed with Dr. Erin's multi-tasking!

What great psychologists you and Alayne are to figure out who needs what from whom. Maybe you could raise extra money by boarding recalcitrant teenagers, like Ev's sons, in Hawk's corral :)

Kidding aside, you guys never cease to amaze and inspire me month after month, year after year. You're the greatest.

[Lynn]

Without a word spoken life lessons are taught. Aren't animals wonderful creatures?

[boundforglory]

What a great story and a great fit for all the horsie parties involved. Good matching job, Steve!

[Debbie]

It's hard to believe little Cash is two already...time just flies. Hopefully, Dr. Erin can get to the source of Hawk's problems...he is such a beautiful fellow!

[Carla Polastro-Nigro]

I was hoping for better news about Hawk's health issues...:-/ Is he still on Lasix?

Is Hawk good with cats' behavioural problems, too?;-) Leo would certainly need a good manners-and-etiquette coach!:-))

Congratulations to Dr Taylor and her husband!:-)

[Jessica, NL]

It's lucky for Cash that you have enough horses (and care enough to solve his situation) to get him out of the kindergarten he had outgrown. How many people would have labeled him a nuisance and given up...

All the best wishes for Hawk, anyway, I hope this big cute boy does a lot better soon!

[Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin]

I love Cash. He was the first post I ever saw that led me to this site. I'm glad to know he isn't getting on anyone's nerves anymore & has found his place! Of course, Cash isn't any dummy either cuz Hawk is quite a bit larger. I sure hope Hawk gets to feeling better.

[Ev]

Can Hawk come and have a word with my teenage sons (the human ones). He could have them for longer that 48 hours!!Just kidding. Sort of;-}