Donating towards Colin's Emergency Fund

Back on April 4, 2013, The barn staff at The Bridge Center were faced with a tough decision. Colin, our largest horse, was colicking and in a great deal of pain. We had two options: immediate surgery or euthanasia. We opted for surgery. Colin is kind, gentle horse who deserved a chance. It is what the heart of The Bridge Center programs are about - giving opportunities. We believed that Colin could overcome this difficult surgery and come return to our Equine programs.

The cost of surgery was expensive, close to $10,000. Colin had 20-feet of small intestines removed due to a lipoma and spent 9 days at Tufts Large Animal Medical Center. He made it thru those long days due to the positive thoughts and prayers everyone sent for him.

Being a non-profit, we need your help in trying to cover those costs. Colin is steadfast horse who takes one step at a time - forward. We need your help to keep moving forward - providing continuing care for Colin and providing chances for emergency care for our herd of 12 horses and ponies.

Could you help Colin today by donating what you can to help cover the expenses?

 

How can you donate towards Colin?

1) Go to our webpage

The DONATE button brings you to Paypal where you can type COLIN in the donation description field during the “review donation” step. This is important, otherwise the donation won’t go to him directly!

2) Stop by the barn! Colin loves the company. (no snacks please - not yet!) There is a collection box in the Viewing Room where you can put your donations (cash or checks).

3) You can mail a donation to:    (Just make sure you mark it for COLIN)

 The Bridge Center

470 Pine Street

Bridgewater, MA  02324

 

One Month!!!

Colin has gotten to the one month mark! Keep it up big guy! We can't wait to have you back in the program, giving rides to our equestrians!

Up till now, Colin has been on stall rest - with small amounts of hand walking to relieve some of the boredom.

Now, he can get turned out in a small sun paddock. He can't run or get moving very fast in this small turnout but still, he is no longer tied to a lead line and he can be out of his stall for a few hours every day. 

Ups and Downs - infection

Colin has been progressing along nicely. His day consists of being fed senior grain every six hours. He is handwalked and allowed to graze up to three times a day. He even started eating some Purina Hydro Hay and small amounts of 2nd cut hay.

Wednesday evening though, Colin wouldn't eat his supper. He had been very quiet all day - and the staff felt he wasn't looking quite as bright as he has been. His temperature was also starting to rise. We contacted Dr. Pantano at Black Pond Veterinary Services. She came right out and felt Colin might be fighting an infection at the incision site.

The incision is about 15 inches long - and was still slightly open in two small spots.  Dr. Pantano cultured the site and prescribed some antibiotics immediately. She also suggested we back down on the introduction of hay in case that was also adding to his discomfort.

The lessor amounts of hay meant returning to higher frequency of grain feedings. The staff at The Riding Center rallied. People signed up for round the clock feedings. There is no barn staff on site, so the efforts and dedication of the staff and volunteers was proof of how much this big draft is loved.

Get well cards

Coming home!!!

Colin getting ready to leave Tufts

It was a long week at The Bridge Center. Staff were attending to two other horses here that needed medical attention. We needed some good news.

Dr. Houtsma called from Tufts on Thursday to say that Colin was still struggling with the introduction to hay. He was showing signs of discomfort - possible adhesions, constriction at the site of surgery -either way, there was pain.  This wasn't the good news the staff was hoping for.  Tufts goal was to send home but they didn't feel comfortable doing that until they knew he was okay.

Then Friday - a small bit of brighter news. Colin seemed more comfortable on just a grain diet. If he showed no signs of pain over the next few hours, the Hospital felt comfortable releasing him and allowing the staff at The Bridge Center to reintroduce him to hay later on.

Saturday morning the call came. Colin can be released from Tufts and can come home to The Bridge Center. I think you could hear the cheers from Bridgewater to North Grafton that day. This was the happy news the Riding Center needed!

Just arrived at The Bridge Center!!

Colin loves Visitors!!

Kari visits with Colin at Tufts

 The Hospital for Large Animals at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine encourages you to visit with your animal.  Colin loves these moments.

On this day one of our dedicated volunteers, Kari, visited with Colin. She got to feed him some hay  - literally, just a handful - for the first time post surgery. He was searching for more.

First Meal

A video of Colin's first meal of Senior grain - it was about the size of a baseball....not even close to what a 1200 pound horse needs to exist. But if he can process it all the way thru, it is a good sign.