19/7/07 Little things make a BIG difference

Connie is making very good progress and with Sarah Stoneham's guidance has now had her feet trimmed by a specialist farrier and a 'heel extension' has been glued on that will encourage her tendons to develop correctly. It is remarkable to see the leg in a normal position - fully weight bearing - and it gives a renewed sense of energy about her future.

I can only begin to appreciate the depth of their expertise. For instance Mouse & Connie are moved to different surfaces during the day that stimulate the new bone to form. The nutrition and stress levels of Mouse are considered - (she is coping very well). So, day by day, they are making all sorts of little adjustments to their care. It makes up a classic example of systems thinking and holistic management at its best.

When I look back and forward I can see it is a very long journey. The decision was made and now all its consequences are following through. So there is no point in wondering whether I did the right thing or not. However it is good to know that Connies' case, being so groundbreaking, will be part of a veterinary knowledge bank of how foals can heal from similiar injuries. Judging from the other responses I have had, this story is also acting as a trigger for dialogue about some of the broader topics I am introducing, such as positivity, synchronicity, and even complexity. So her story may also have a wider impact than I could ever predict...

For instance Jean Boulton wrote to remind me that one of the central themes in complexity thinking is that large-scale change starts with small, connected events. She added the following quote from William James :

I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big success and I am for those tiny invisible, loving human forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many soft rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, yet which, if given time, will rend the hardest monuments of pride.

More comments welcome!

31/5/07 Surrounded by Healing Energy

31 May 2007 10:32

Connie was X Rayed today and there is some movement of the bone against the plate. It’s now a question of how the young bone stabilises and strengthens around the plate & screws. Because foals grow so rapidly, a frequent change of the cast is necessary, otherwise significant sores could develop. The next is due on Sunday. And of course each intervention requires that both mare and foal are well sedated. Luckily Connie has got into a routine of immediately seeking milk as she comes round...

Overall the surgeon is pleased with progress. Connie has always fed well, never needed painkillers and is incredibly good about all the handling. Equally the patience that Rossdales's showed with my daily calls for an update is remarkable!!

Meanwhile, in parallel to the 'Horspital' work I have been letting people know about the situation and asking them to simply send positive healing thoughts. Holistic vet Nick Thompson immediately sent the appropriate homeopathic remedy to support bone healing, and provided a spray on tincture - after all how can you feed tablets to a foal that only knows how to suckle!

Animal Communicator and healer Margrit Coates has also been instant in her support.

I wrote to her that I even thought I could feel her energy. Then, sitting on a bendy bus in London rather late for work one morning, I was suddenly became aware of this most amazing feeling of peace and calm, deep joy. It was 10.30. I rang her a little later and described the feeling - silence. Then she told me that at 10.32 she had sent me an email telling me she had just been sending healing to Connie - and that was what I was picking up.... Honestly - it's true!!

It was confirmation for me at least of how connected I am with this vulnerable little foal. And it is an interesting demonstration of Rupert Sheldrakes's explanation of morphic resonance !! A most amazing experience.....

28/5/07 Why?

Sorry for the silence – it has not been easy to update anyone these last couple of days....

The morning after the birth the foal’s near foreleg looked odd, we called the vet, decided to Xray, drove them to the surgery, and we were all gutted to see it was a badly fractured pastern bone. Possibly an unfortunate tread by Mouse, although there was no external evidence....

Despite the odds being loaded against a full recovery I decided I have to give her a chance. On Sunday we drove them (in the pouring rain) to Rossdales at Newmarket where little ‘Connie’, at less than 2 days old, underwent 2 hours of surgery to plate and screw the bone together. The operation by Andy Bathe went well, and she is up and feeding well, ‘comfortable’, standing evenly on both legs, but we have the risk of infection or collapse when the cast comes off etc. The odds are 60% against her surviving this stage, and about 10% for being sound enough to be rideable long term... no wonder other foals in this situation are simply put down.

Already she seems to be a tough little thing - and she needs to be. They stay at Newmarket for 3 – 4 weeks, so please add them to your prayers & blessings.

As a postscript, it is maybe helpful to add at this point that this little horse was always bred with the intention that she would stay with me for life, a friend whether she competes, is rideable or whatever, a mother if it feels right in time. She is Oskar’s aunt and Mouse's foal - her connection to earth... There are some fun stories about how Mouse let us know she wanted a foal and chose the stallion.... And since she conceived first time against the odds... with frozen semen from a stallion who died the week previously, perhap these stories need adding. However, in summary, this little foal is special to me and has a home for life.