Comments on: Equine Piroplasmosis in Niger

By: Lifecruiser

Lifecruiser — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:17:27 +0000

Beautiful horses… What a pity that things like EP exists. YUK. I can just imagine how it must feel for you. After all they’re like family members.

Sometimes I just wish that I had a magic wand to swing, to make bad things go away

Good luck.

By: Esther Garvi

Esther Garvi — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:31:58 +0000

@Lori: Wow, 36! I’ll be satisfied if Arwen lives to 20 but I am determined to let her live out her days regardless of how long I will be able to ride her (I suspect she has back aches, from having been ridden in as a yearling - many horses in Niger are “broken” and ridden (!) at the age of eight months, which does not exactly strengthen them for the future…). Although I’m not in a hurry to mate her within the near future, I’m glad to see that she has enjoyed being a mother so much, because in order for an animal to live long (and to enjoy life quality) they need a job, they need to be needed. My dog Bamse lived to be nearly 14 years old (which was a good 4 years longer than her parents) and didn’t become “old” until her puppies were grown and started taking over the responsibilities of guarding the house and its people. But even then, she would always be in the center, leading her flock. I see you have a lot of long-lived horses, Lori, and I’m sure the fact that they all have (important) tasks to carry out keep them motivated and make them feel valued!

@Fe: Thanks! The horses seem to be doing better but I do not think we will be able to eliminate the presence of EP entirely, as they will desperately need a healthy sets of antibodies in an area where EP is endemic. If not, they may develop the acute form, which is life threatening and only takes a couple of days to do its damage.

@Pat: I have never understood the purpose of ticks or mosquitoes either; nor the purpose of cockroaches… Chances are they all have their usefulness but regardless of which they will never make it to my list of appreciated animals…

@Goatgirl: Aw, thank you! Isolde IS that much fun, she slips out of the horse pen as soon as she sees us and comes asking for a good scratching. When bored, she tags along behind Dennis Mugu, who does his best to make her go away, but unfortunately for him, Isolde is born with a very good self-image and is oblivious to vicious and demeaning dog talk. She has more respect for Sheba’s barking, but unlike Dennis, Sheba barks with authority and not aggressiveness/grumpiness.

@SMR: Thanks!

By: Saddle Mtn Rider

Saddle Mtn Rider — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:38:27 +0000

What a scary, scary thing. I pray that your dear ponies rebound from this. I know how frightening it is, when such serious things happen to our ponies.

By: goatgirl

goatgirl — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:04:53 +0000

Your horses are so beautiful I hope for the best for them. I could just kiss that sweet Isolde. She looks like fun!

By: Pat VanderBeek

Pat VanderBeek — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:12:19 +0000

…and ticks, too. People here in the US get Lyme’s disease from deer ticks….nasty little things!

By: Pat VanderBeek

Pat VanderBeek — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:11:00 +0000

Esther, what an ordeal you have had with the sicknesses of your animals! I hope Sahara, Arwen and Isolde will all live long healthy lives, beyond ten years. And Sheba, too! It is a shame that mosquitoes cannot be eradicated on earth…they serve no useful purpose and they cause serious illness.

By: Fe Rivers

Fe Rivers — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:02:34 +0000

Oh! This sounds nerve-wracking! I am glad you have help and support, and I hope for your horses’ speedy recovery.

By: Lori Skoog

Lori Skoog — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:13:49 +0000

Esther…I sure hope the horses do well with their treatments and that your beautiful foal continues to be healthy. These times are difficult, and it seems that you are a good and responsible owner who will do as much as possible. In June I had to put down a horse that was 36! The life span is so different in Niger. You and Annette will give the best care possible.
I’ll be thinking of you.
Lori