Snickers
Snickers relaxing in the pasture and listening to the photographer.
Snickers, a 20-year-old POA, was placed with us July 2001. She lost her sight the year prior from recurrent uveitis (moon blindness) and has adjusted very well to her condition. She has cataracts in both eyes and glaucoma in the right. Snickers' treatment began with a regular vet check and with the exception of her eye condition she is in excellent health. We put Snickers into a"Guardian Angle Mask" that blocks the UV rays by 95%. Its special design prevents the eyes from being rubbed, causing irritation (like a regular fly mask will do). We then brought a specialist on board to help determine the best treatment plan. Snickers' right eye had so much pressure from the glaucoma (it measured 40) that we had to discuss the possibility of surgery to remove her right eye. The "normal" amount of pressure is in the high teens. She was put on glaucoma medication (for humans) and when we re-checked her 3 days later, the pressure had dropped to 32! Snickers will be re-checked 8/31/01 to evaluate her progress and we are optimistic that the pressure will be close to "normal" as she is responding well to the medication.
Our biggest concern about bringing Snickers into the program was how she was going to handle the stress of relocation. This little mare had spent 14 of her 20 years with the family that had placed her. When she lost her sight she had been living at her previous home for many years. She had not been trailer loaded nor transferred since losing her sight. She would have to endure being separated from her "family", acclimate to a facility that she had never "seen", adjust to a Senior Mare and a new group of people. This transition had the potential of being very stressful even if she had her eyesight!
The actual transaction was very impressive. I walked her to the trailer and stopped her at the door. I took her leg and she allowed me to lift it up, so I "showed" her where the edge of the trailer was. Amazingly, she stepped right in. As we approached her new home, there was a barn fire across the road and I became very concerned about how she would react to the smell of smoke. My anxiety level was already high as I was worried about the unloading process because our trailer doesn't have a ramp! With very little coaxing she quietly stepped out.
This mare has such a great trusting attitude and has bonded well with her new family. Snickers has a 9-year-old girl (Haily) that is showering her in love. She was given a bath the day after her arrival and was allowing Haily to ride her the following week. Haily rode her bare back and was trotting her in the arena. Snickers certainly trusts Haily and they sure are enjoying each other (not to mention how cute they are together!
Current Status
Snicker's eye pressures have been good since we started treating her. She gave Haily a couple of good years of beginning rider training before returning to Ally's Haven. Today, Snickers is retired here at the ranch. She loves grazing in pasture all day and is very comfortable with her herd. She wears a Guardian mask, which we believe helps keep her eye pressure stabilized.
Last updated May 2008
