April 4, 2013.
Colic. Horse owners fear that word. It means pain for that animal you love.
Colin started his day happy and hungry. He ate breakfast, finished morning hay and after a while, lay down, as did many horses at The Bridge Center that day. Morning naps on nice sunny days were not unusual. But then, that first sign, Colin gets up and lays down again in a different spot. Then again. Then again, one more time.
The Barn Staff going about the normal routines of cleaning, notice. Watching him from over the fence, you can see his respiratory rate has doubled. His nostrils are flared and has a dull look to his eye. There is no denying, Colin is very uncomfortable.
Always the steadfast horse, Colin knows help has arrived when staff enter the paddock with his halter and a lead rope. He willingly gets up and submits to walking around. Still no relief. Vitals are taken, pain medicine is administered....still no relief. Colin is walking like a stumbling horse - wanting to get down and collapse but always yielding to the encouragement of the staff to keep going. "Walk Colin!" and he plods on, despite the pain.
The first call is made to the vet - a few more tactics are discussed and tried - but inevitably, the staff calls back. "Come out - we can't control Colin's pain. "
Dr. Dana Pantano of Black Pond Vet is familiar with Colin. She has treated him in the past for respiratory issues and uveitis. He isn't a colicky horse though, she agrees. After her assessment and on site treatments, she lays it out for the barn staff. "When you can't control a horse's pain, you have to consider other options" This meant a choice between surgery or euthanasia. This was devastating news for the staff.
The Bridge Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are funded entirely thru grants and donations. Colic surgery is expensive plus there were no guarantees that Colin could survive, let alone return as a Therapeutic Riding Horse. This was a Board of Directors' decision that had to be made quickly and it appeared that the stars were aligned, as one of our Board Members had just arrived on site to discuss an upcoming fundraiser.
Dr. Neal Andelman is a small animal vet and Vice-President of The Bridge Center Board of Directors. He had a frank discussion with Dr. Pantano and with the barn staff. After absorbing all the information, he went quiet. Then, the words, "Go ahead" were said.
Colin's surgery option was the choice made. Dr. Andelman later said, "This is what The Bridge Center is about, opportunity. It is the right thing to do for Colin".
Colin was quickly transported up to Tufts Hospital for Large Animals in Grafton, MA and was admitted for colic surgery exactly 10 hours after he started his day happily eating breakfast.
There was nothing to do but wait for news.
