Quest Horse Diaries l Pixie

Pixie

HOMED

Carer - Catherine Grayson

*click on images to enlarge.

April 2010

Quest was contacted by Pixie's owners, who were concerned about Pixie's deteriorating condition and were wanting to surrender Pixie into Quest's care. Quest's Treasurer Catherine, living fairly local to Pixie, happily agree to take Pixie in.

Arrived 24.04.10

Today we collected Pixie, a 12 hand aged grey mare, from her surrendering owner. She is obviously elderly, and is in quite poor condition. I first noticed her mouth, which looks sore and inflamed. The condition of her teeth is a real concern, and she has a lump on the side of her mouth. Pixie's feet are also in a very neglected state and and have obviously not been attended to for a long period of time.

Pixie's coat condition is very poor. Lots of dirt and very greasy. I decided to give her a bath. Probably not the best weather to do that, but she seemed to enjoy the massage. She is now rugged, and hopefully that will help her to retain some warmth. She has a great appetite and is eating well. The farrier is coming on Wednesday, and I will also have the Vet/Dentist out on Wednesday to give her the once over.

The only history we have on Pixie at this stage is that she apparently did Pony Club some years ago.

Quest would like to thank Pixie's owner for acknowledging Pixie's needs and surrendering her to care.

29.04.10

From Catherine:

The Vet and Farrier came yesterday. It was a cold windy day and she was an absolute trooper. The Vet arrived first, and gave Pixie a general check over. He then looked at her mouth. He thinks she is around 30 years old. She has melanoma's on the side of her mouth and they have ruptured in the past giving her a lot of pain and discomfort. The Vet seems to think her mouth had not be attended to for at least 10 to 15 years, if at all. Her teeth were sharp and overgrown and creating ulcers on her gums inside her mouth. He basically filed them down and then pulled one out. (She had been sedated at the start of this process!) Anyways, not much was holding this tooth together and it came out really easily. He said the friction of that tooth would have been also giving Pixie pain. She seemed good after this process, and started to graze nearly straight away.

Pixie has been laminitic in the past, and we will have to watch her feet and diet. The Vet was optimistic about her future, and said she may have a few good years in her yet. Her feet also looked fantastic after they were trimmed.

Anyways, Farrier is coming back in 4 weeks, and the Vet will do Pixie's teeth again in 6 months. Otherwise she is well, and we should see her condition improve soon.

1.05.10

12.06.10

From Catherine:

Pixie is a sweet natured pony, and is really easy to do anything with, (except worm).

She is living in a paddock with old man Jim Jim, who is around 28 yrs old. Jimmy is such a push-over, but Pixie doesn't take advantage of this. They are both getting two hard feeds a day, and feed time is very harmonious :)

Pixie really is a lovely little pony, and is coming along well. I would like to see a little more top-line, but I think that will come with time.