Veterinary care for Night Train

I never thought I’d have the privilege of owning a horse like Night Train. Horses like him are not cheap and I’m not a rich woman. But with frugal savings and the help of friends I’ve been able to give him a good life including veterinary care. The veterinary bill I’m facing now goes beyond what I’d set aside or imagined.

This past week, Night Train and I traveled with my mentor, Kim Wofford, and her horse Mona, to New Mexico, to compete in our very first endurance ride. We have been preparing for this three day ride all year. Everything started out wonderfully. We planned the drive in four hour increments with early morning departures to beat the heat of the day.

On arriving at Fort Stanton, Night Train appeared tired. We thought it was from travel but the next day he had a fever, lethargy, and dehydration. We had several highly qualified endurance vets examine him and began treating his dehydration. Dr. Bob Rogers gave him IV fluids and kept an eye on his vitals all day. Night Train continued to decline.

After discussing his condition with the ride control vet we made the decision to pack up and trailer him into the nearest emergency vet near the Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Dr. Franklin has taken blood and is running numerous tests.

Night Train continues to be anemic and jaundiced. He isn’t drinking and is hardly eating. He requires antibiotics, IV fluid, and anti-inflammatory drugs. He will be in veterinary hospital care for a minimum of 5 days. Because of the possibility of viral exposure, Kim’s horse Mona is also being kept at the hospital.

As you can guess, none of this is cheap. Although I had put away money for the trip, I didn’t budget for the enormous bill I am being faced with. Horses are a luxury that I can barely afford- especially when you add in travel and competition.

Some of you may know the story of Night Train coming into my life and others maybe don’t. To say I’ve been fortunate to have him would be an understatement. He’s so incredibly adventurous, smart, and kind. Yesterday, he laid his head in my arms while the vet was inserting a tube down his nose into his stomach. He stood there without sedation or fussing. He is very much one of those special horses that would do anything for his humans. He loves and trusts me more than I deserve and it is breaking my heart to see him suffer now.