Monday, February 2, 2009

Vet Trip and Drug Talk

With the Rodeo coming up this weekend, I wanted to make sure that Peanut was all ready to go. He needed some booster shots, teeth floated, tube wormed, and a funny lump removed from his forehead. It takes only 20 minutes for us to get to out vet's office. It's where we take all of our dogs and our horses. Our vet is very good at horse breeding. He is the one who impregnated Pearl. Any way, we got there and Peanut was really nervous. So, we drugged him first. And got him all ready for his teeth to be worked on. Say Cheese! The vet said that Peanut had some big points, and he is hoping that maybe now Peanut will be able to eat better. I really like my vet. He is really nice. But he is kind of "different". He is really awesome at floating teeth. He makes sure he gets everything. What I wonder about is his choice in clothing. Can you see his shirt????The shirt was a bright green. Like almost lime. And he wears low rise jeans, which are very trendy, and today he was wearing boots, but during the summer, he was always wearing flip flops. He is a funny guy. Oh, and my vet, also got a new car. He traded in his big super duty truck for a Toyota. Pretty sporty huh? He likes to kayak and he said both his kayaks fit perfect on the top. Anyway, my vet is just a bit "different". He sure is a lot of fun!! So, while Peanut was getting his teeth worked on, my vet had put some hemostats on his lump, so it could be cut off. He was trying to cut off the blood supply, so when it was sliced off, it wouldn't bleed. I called it Peanut's smart lump. I hope he still stays smart. And off that lump went, with out a single drop of blood. See that lime green shirt, and purple bracelet? Good old Doc! After all that was done, the vet went to mix Peanut a nice cocktail of dewormer. While he was gone, Peanut took a little break. He was pooped. The vet guessed that Peanut is around 20 years old. Which I think is pretty right. Which I think 20 is a perfect age for my three and seven year old Cowpokes. Plus, they love Peanut. Little Cowpoke is my sweet boy. He loves to give hugs, and when he saw Peanut looking down, he gave him a hug, and a head butt. It must be a guy thing. Then Cowpokette felt left out and wanted to give Peanut some lovin. I love big horse heads and little children. It's just too cute. I wish I had brought my new camera to take clearer pictures with, but I just had my old point and shoot. I wasn't too sure I was going to be able to wrangle three Cowpokes, a horse, and a digital SLR. So, I took the easy way out with my point and shoot camera. I hope all the hugs made Peanut feel better. Because that cocktail was taking a while to get made. I am not too sure that the Vet didn't go and stop for a drink himself. So, with more time, Cowpokette got in some more lovin. She's going in for it.........And right on the old nose. Sweet kisses. She is so proud of her kisses. I am not sure Peanut moved a muscle. He was off in horsey la la land. I also asked the vet for something to calm peanut down, while at rodeos. Peanut gets really nervous. I took him out into our arena the other day, and Peanut was a speed demon. He also was very snorty and nervous. He spooked a few times and even ran away from me while I was holding him. So, I wanted to make sure Peanut was mellow for rodeos. I think by the end of the summer Peanut will be used to being hauled places and won't need to be drugged, but for now, he needs a little something to calm him down. The vet suggested Ace. I have used Ace before but not to "calm" my horse down. I know there are other drugs out there that work better than Ace. Do any of you know what they are? Have you ever used a drug to calm your horse down?

We had a lady that ran barrels in our rodeo group that would give her horse something, just to take his edge off. It worked well too. But I can't remember what it was called. I just don't want Peanut to freak out with my little Cowpokes on his back. So, for the first few rodeos, until the kids get relaxed and Peanut can relax, he is going to be in horsey la la land. We are going to give him a half cc of Ace and test it out on him. I think that will be more than enough. Because we don't want Peanut to be dead, just relaxed.

14 comments:

Mrs. Mom said...

I had to laugh at the vet's shirt and purple bracelet! Too cool ;) So ya got a "trendy" fellow, huh? heheheeeeee!!

Andrea- I got looking at Peanuts rope halter in the last pic- and I'd love to find out where you got that. The one I have had for about 13 years or so now is showing signs of wear, and all the online ones I have looked at to replace it are not what I want. So where did you get yours? (If I had the "talent", I'd tie my own! Maybe it would be worth trying anyways huh?)

LOVE the pix of the babies and Peanut. He looks like such an awesome horse!!!

Hugs to the kids from us!!!

Unknown said...

I am not even going to tell you what I thought when I saw that first picture.

I think I need some "Ace" for my parts appointment.

The pictures are great : )

Danielle Michelle said...

I like Ace - but I think you're right, all the handling and use will do the most to calm him down.

Anonymous said...

Peanut is gorgeous and Cowpoke and Cowpokette are adorable.

What do they do at the rodeo?

Grey Horse Matters said...

Adorable pictures of the kidlets with Peanut. Your vet sounds very trendy, I hope he doesn't wear flip flops around the horses, that could make for some sore toes. Have fun at the rodeo.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Your vet reminds me of mine. He's really cool and nice too and he always wears patterned shirts and pants..usually camo. lol!

I loved those pics of the kids hugging on Peanut. Peanut is one lucky horse to have you and your sweet kids to care about him. I hope the rodeos go well and Peanut learns to relax and keep his little riders safe :)


~Lisa

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Good ole Peanut!! Do you think he was gamed on before? I know you are a protective momma and a good horseperson, so I have no fear that you will make sure your kidlets are well watched after on Peanut at the rodeo!!;)

I know people use Ace at horse shows and rodeos, but I have always worried about it, because a tish not enough and it is ineffective and a tish too much and you have a sleepy horse that can stumble. I know some horses get a bit over-reactive as they are coming out of it too. But saying all that, I have never actually used a calming agent, so cannot think of anything else you might try instead.

Looking forward to pics of the rodeo though!!

Karen said...

Darling pictures! And your vet kinda cracks me up. I'm just saying.

Tiffany said...

I love the pics of the kids with Peanut. I think they are adorable.

KD said...

I love the face that Cowpokette makes when she's proud of herself! Do you haul to your vet to save the farm visit fee or is that how you have to do it where you are?

TjandMark/AKA PearlandHawkeye said...

Cute, Cute, Cute! As for the calming agent I have used "be calm" and found that it takes the edge off. My son't horse Shy-Anne, had an issue with her feet due to ill handling before we got her, and I used it with her every time the farrier came. My friend uses it with her horses when she is going to a stressfull event. It is some kind of herbal mix, I just don't remember what right now.

gtyyup said...

You are so lucky to have a competent vet that's close too!! Our one and only vet office, leaves a lot to be desired to say the least. We drive to Idaho Equine Hospital for just about everything that we can't do ourselves...3 1/2 hours each way!

Wonderful photos of the kids and Peanut...just totally cute!

The Wades said...

Adore that top picture and all the ones with your daughter. Cute stuff and fun post.

Mikey said...

Calm and Cool paste? Some folks around here use it and swear by it.
Love the kids, they are so beautiful! What great kids, giving love and kisses, that's so sweet!
The first pic is the best though :) That's a classic shot!