2 weeks

 It's been officially 2 weeks since our move and I'm happy to say, that Laz is 1000% happy 

(and that makes me 100000% happy!)

His eye is clearing up QUICK! (actually looks 99.9% normal)

It's amazing what certain medicines can do

 Since his eye was looking good, the weather was GREAT, I decided to hop on

Laz's RR is still soft at his medial heel/sole area so we kept it light

Well, I tried; he did clip off into a trot so we did that for about 15 minutes and then came back to a walk.

I ordered a pair of used Easy boot Epics in a smaller size (more on that to come) so hopefully that will give him some comfort for our rides and mayyybe we can even test out the roads (only at a walk of course) if he's comfortable! His current size 2's are too big for his funky foot

 Laz sampling a tree during our pasture ride.

I LOVE riding in the pasture; the footing is great, Laz seems more comfortable and eager to push out

 Ahh, love the Fall SUNSHINE!

 Oh! Another bite?? Ok.......

(bad pony!) haha

...why not

 Follow the Mason leader...such happiness for me! My brown row of sweet babies!

 Laz's fur is really fuzzing up quite nicely and I'm letting his hair grow for winter. I noticed that out of the other horses, Laz has the thickest Fall coat so far.

I love how he has natural red highlights in his mane (and a gray one but I plucked it out!)

 Mane for days!! Always boys have the best hair and eyelashes :)

 Yup, a sign that Fall sure is here....

I love the beauty of Fall and the colors, but it's SO bittersweet knowing what's around the corner (brrrr)

 Good boys!

 I was trying to get a conformation shot here but it didn't quite work

"Uhhhh whazz you doin?? Where you goin?"

 "Wate for ME!!!!"

 "Can you stick yer hand in yer pokit and gives me a COOOKIE???"

Yeesh.

Just when I was going to say the red barn and the classic bay OTTB is gorgeous, he had to show of his grill.

Wow....

;)

 After untacking, er...taking off his bridle, I opened up the pastures for him to go and play.

It was so cute that he chose to stick around and hang out with me.  He came in, strolled around, drank some water...

 And then decided to go..

 Walking the track past Justin and Red, off to find Scout.

 Come this winter, the two Paints may be separated from the two OTTB's for feeding reasons...so hopefully all will be OK for that separation. 

 Driving home, Mason and I took the back roads to check out the neighborhood some more

What beauty!!!

These are the back roads that we can RIDE on and somehow (I haven't fully investigated yet) it leads straight into the BIG horse trail park with MILES of trails (eeeeks) which I think it less than 2 miles away?? 

"NO shooting"

HORSE friendly :)

I may wear orange JUST in case...

Eye Update

First, if you have never snuggled with a little rescued French Bulldog, than you are missing out.

They are the MOST cuddly creature and will absolutely convince you that YES vegging out on the couch while watching Bravo marathons of the Housewives is a GREAT idea!!!

 Back to the star of this show...er blog.

Lazaroo!

"Come closer..............carrots and apples and dandelion greens must be given to me everydayyyyy"

Isn't it freaky when they dye their eyes....it makes me think of THRILLER

 So, Laz's eye exam with our new vet was this morning. 

She was SUPER sweet, and awesome and so far, I'm happy to be making the switch. 

Easy to talk to, writes notes for you to review later and keeps a copy for her file, took her time, answered all my questions, VERY cool about individual horse care, knowledgeable and BONUS, her practice is literally less than a mile away.

So, her diagnosis is conjunctivitis

whew...

I am to continue cleaning as I have been, flush out with saline solution (any over counter) and put in 1/4 strip of ointment (below) as needed.  (1 to 3 times a week)

She told me the black spot (over the pupil) I was concerned with is called a "Corpra Nigra" and its normal for horses to have all different shapes, sizes, etc. If I see it growing larger, then it's a concern...but likely it won't.  It's like nature's sun glasses for each individual eye. Cool.  

 And after smiling for the new vet, I groomed Laz and he held up his Left rear for about 2 minutes while I curried the inside of his leg which he loves.  Hmmmmmm...I think my trimmer was 100% right, that he often 'fakes' it when not willing to give up this foot for a trim, for acting like he can't stand on his RR for long. :)

Faker!

And in our other vet discussions.
She said his weight looked perfect (despite is top line not being able to develop due to lameness), thought he was a gentleman (yup) and was very helpful in talking about wormers and what vaccines to really think about, etc (Rabies, Tetanus).  Ugh, thinking of vaccines freak me out, BUT I also don't want to do Laz a disservice either by leaving him unprotected NOR do I want him to react to one and go into a laminitic episode again. 

Sooo....we'll approach it cautiously and slowly and she was very willing to explain some of the changes in the medications, and carriers, etc.  

She also took her time, looking at him trot, walk and looking at his feet and really listening to me about his history. 

All very cool!

Eye-yi-yiiiii

 Thursday;

We are having some beautiful warm Fall weather with cool nights that have sparked hair growth on Laz!

I hope his winter coat is even thicker this year, as it was pretty great last year.

 This is the image of Laz as of late; face down in grass

The BO has started also feeding out hay which is great as the grass isn't surging like it was

 By my thumb shows the 'soft spot' that was uncovered in his last trim, on his right rear.

Because of this, I've only walked him in the riding pasture, and trotted when he wanted to, or for about 10 minutes.  It's still soft, nothing has popped or leaked open, but it hasn't hardened either.

 Our ride;

Walking by the OTTB eating lawn mower lol

 Working while the neighbors mowed their lawn as well.

I was happy to see Laz act calm and not react to too much stimulation

 Neighbors walking by with their kids, going on a walk/hike

They asked if they could come back later to feed him carrots, and of course I said "YES!" but only a few ;)

You never know...I've seen people feed out insane amounts

 After our ride, I turned Laz back out with his buddy Scout

 Leaving the barn, Mason and I saw 5 deer running by...so beautiful

 Mason decided he was tired from trotting around with Laz and I, and it was time to cuddle with Pudge

 Saturday; I received a call from my BO saying Laz's eye was a bit goopy.  

Hmmm, I noticed while still at our old facility that his left eye was draining. I would wipe the tracks clear and it seemed ok...but for some reason, it seemed to really flare up Friday/Sat.  I came out and cleaned him up.

I decided to not ride him and just treat him to a body massage, grooming and love.

I obviously came during nap time...

Here is his left eye after I wiped it clean.

Still goobers within the eye.

He isn't blinking rapidly, squinting, no swelling and allows me to wipe clean with a damp cloth and water.

I don't know if it's viral, bacterial, or an injury...but his left is now a little drippy too.

 Resting on his RR (great) and taking a little standing nap after I cleaned him up

I just sat by the barn and stayed with him.

I wanted to watch him...make sure he was OK.

He ate his hay, grass...went in stall, gulped down water.

Came out, rolled in his dirt spots....

 And went back to eating.

 I'll take that as good.

Mason and I played for a bit while we hung with Laz and Scout

 I love this photo...this 8 yr old Lab LOVES his life!

"Wahoooooooo!!!"

 Taking a moment to let it in ;)

 Laz and Scout have really made their own herd.

Laz is definitely more dominant than baby Scout who is 4.

Laz doesn't beat up on him but pins his ears at him to move him back when he wants to

 Which isn't often...  :)

Driving home, I stopped by this farmers market stand just 1/4 mile down the road from where we now board

 AMAZING!!!! Fresh local fruit and veggies, for super cheap and YUMMMM!

So happy to have found this little gem!

Today, Sunday, his eye was a little better. Still leaking goo but not as much.
I cleaned it up again but couldn't get the goo in his back corner to budge and obviously I'm not going to dig at his eye.

The photo below was mid blink opening, there is no swelling or light discomfort shown

I'm hoping to get our new Vet out there on Tuesday to check him out

Of course I made the mistake of googling eye issues and UGH, had to stop. 

I read everything from moon blindness to allergies to ulcers. 

Why???

The Vet will help me figure it out

Oh Laz!

Hopefully it's a nothing issue...or a very easy to fix and get back to normal, issue.

He continues to act 100% normal which is always encouraging but I don't want to mess around with an eye injury or issue, so I'm being proactive about it.