MAMA TESS WENT TO THE SPA FOR A WEEK!

Hubby decided to whisk me away on a road trip this week!

Yay!

The only problem was that my regular horse sitter wasn’t available because her mare is running the Tevis the same week we are gone.

So…

I had to get other house sitters… which is fine. But, they couldn’t take care of Tess.

What to do, what to do?

I ASKED HER DOCTOR IF SHE COULD GO BACK TO THE HOSPITAL AS A BOARDER

For me, I’m quite familiar with the daily Mama Tess routine. Her mangled but healing feet, the issues due to her healing, and the daily wrapping don’t bother me.

However, I realized that it was a bit much to ask someone else to take on the daunting task… and it would be best to bring her back to the hospital for this long of a time period – as a boarder.

That way, they could watch her and I wouldn’t have to worry.

But, did they take boarders? I wasn’t sure. So, I asked.

Here was the reply from the WONDERFUL Director of Loomis Basin Equine Hospital:

“We would be happy to have her:-) “

Phew! What a relief and what a great guy!

OK. I’m here. Now what?

THE TRAILER RIDE THIS MORNING…

That mare gave me a run for my money this morning… Luckily, I had called in the Mama Tess Whisperer (my friend, Leslie) to help load MT.

You see, MT (who trailered like a Champ her whole life) has refused to load for me since the first time we went to the hospital. Since then, she won’t… AB-SO-LUTE-LY NO.

However, Leslie can load her – after about 30 minutes of cajoling.

This morning was no different.

I TOLD MT THAT SHE WAS GOING TO A SPA!

I had told MT that I was going to be gone and that she got to go to the Spa part of the hospital.

She wasn’t buying it.

Me: Hey, you’ll get to stay in a lovely suite and all of your friends will fawn all over you, groom you and tell you how amazing you look!

Tess: OK, well, I don’t want to go. I’m fine here.

Me: You have to go. No one can take care of you here.

Tess: That’s fine. I can take care of myself… just leave the feed room door open.

Me; No, not this time. You have to go so that the smart humans at the hospital can help you if you have any issues.

Tess: I don’t anticipate any issues.

Me: There won’t be anyone here to turn on your fan.

Tess: I don’t need it. Just leave the barn gate open and I’ll walk around and find nice shade with a breeze.

Me: You’re going.

Tess: I’m not.

Me: We’ll discuss it in the morning.

Tess: Fine. But, I’m still not going and you can’t make me.

She was right. I couldn’t make her… but Leslie could.

And that is exactly what happened. When we pulled up the trailer, Tess walked into the far corner of her Barndo and refused to walk at all. It took Leslie an half hour, but she got MT loaded. Thank HorseGods.

Well… I guess it isn’t so bad… the shavings are deep and I think I smell carrots or something right here.

DR FIELDING UPGRADED HER!

When we arrived at the hospital, that wonderful Dr. Fielding was waiting. He asked if he could upgrade her into ICU because that building had constant air conditioning. He said he wouldn’t charge any more… but it was so hot that he wanted her to be as comfortable as possible.

Nice guy, eh? Our girl got upgraded! (Probably all of her frequent flyer points there…).

HER SURGEON

Mama Tess’ surgeon saw me and started a nice conversation. I told him that he was free to give MT a once over and let me know if her feet were on track…

He said he was curious to see her feet after 7 months…

Everyone there breezed by me with a smile and a wave – very happy to see MT upright and standing happily!

Do you have any treats for me since I let you drag me down here? (She has sweat marks on her face from the trailer ride down. It was HOT today.)

I CAME BACK THIS AFTERNOON TO VISIT HER IN HER SUITE…

MT has settled in nicely. She looked so tiny in that huge stall. It has windows on three sides so she can watch the activity outside the hospital, in the breezeway behind and she can also look into the ICU office – and they can look at her.

Her bedding was deep. Her water buckets were fresh, clean and full. She already had some soaked hay in a clean tub.

Oh, and someone had already groomed her.

Huge Sigh of Relief! Thank you, Loomis Basin Equine Hospital!