i can't believe i've already finished my third week of the large animal practicum. first week was orientation, second and third were spent in the anesthesia department. 3 on call nights, one of those a Sunday...it was a tough rotation, but one that i thoroughly enjoyed. it's pretty nerve-wrecking when you don't have any large animal experience and then you find yourself to the side of a pre-medicated horse and putting a jugular catheter in... you just get thrown in there. anesthesia is the type of rotation where there is very little time to waste especially in getting a horse down and ready for the table and getting a horse off the table and in recovery. i've seen some pretty remarkable recoveries...one in particular was pretty darned bloody, that horse almost nailed a doctor. another recovery was amazing, one minute the horse is down, the next i see a huge ass breaking through the stall door and the nurse crawling at 100mph trying to get out of the way. horses demand respect. they won't hurt you...they can kill you.
one of the clinicians came in to change out of her scrubs and showed a black/blue bruise the size of a foal's hoof. even the little guys can kick your ass.
yesterday, i assisted the anesthesist for a case that involved a beautiful suffolk punch... he is the first horse i felt totally comfortable with. i petted his face and talked to him and i could sense the intelligence, the quiet dignity, the beautiful man that he was. this is a loved horse.
thank you J for showing me your horse secrets and your gorgeousness. recover soon and go home to your quiet pastures, whispering morning sky that quiets down to watch the wind run along side of you...