Against All Odds:

Scimitar was affectionately nicknamed "Bunny" when he bit off a big chunk of his upper lip during one of his many falls which gave him a Bunny-like appearance. The name stuck!

*PRESS RELEASE

“The Story of Scimitar: The Heart of a Horse”

Don’t miss “The Story of Scimitar: The Heart of a Horse,” premiering on Sunday, June 13th, and repeating on Saturday, June 19th on HorseTV, and throughout the week of June 6 through 12 on the HTV i-Channel on the Internet.

“Bunny” (Scimitar) is a two year old Arabian colt who suffered major injuries when he mistakenly galloped into a tree in his pasture, driving a three inch stick into his head. As a result of the head injury, he was unable to stand or walk after the accident.

Filmed and narrated by his owner, Bette Lamore, this is the incredible two year-long saga of the spirit and heart of the young horse who give up, and the love and dedication of a small handful of caring horse people on the central coast of California and posters on an international chat room.

Featuring music by Michael McDonald, this is a inspiring story of faith, courage, and devotion to a very special horse with an amazing will to live. This is one incredible story! Home videos and DVD’s also available.

HorseTV Media Group, LLC
9434 Old Katy Road, Suite 380
Houston, TX 77055
713.468.2014 - voice/Houston
713.468.2111 - fax/Houston
559.438.8535 - voice/fax/California

Day 1 Sunday, October 14, 2001:

I have a 2 year old gelded son of Halynov who ran into a tree branch we believe last Sat night and was discovered Sun mid morning lying down in pasture--- nothing unusual until he wouldn't get up and then we lifted up his forelock to see a 1/2 inch opening between his ears, closer to the right one. It looked almost like a bullet wound until the vet fished around a found a three inch stick in there, about a 1/2 inch wide and a 6 inch track. He cleaned it out and gave him 60cc of Dexamethazone, IV DMSO,5 liters of fluids, banamine and a heavy duty antibiotic, Baytril. He said our only hope was to kill any infection and bring down the swelling (in his face on the right side to his eye and most likely inside as well. He was not using his back legs much--- like a weakness--- but had normal respiratory, normal temp and within normal pulse, etc. He was peeing and pooping and started to show a renewed interest in life as the day wore on.

Day 2 Monday, October 15:

Much more alert--- playing with us with his lips--- getting carrots, hay and grain and water on demand--- sitting up but still too weak to stand. 50cc of dexamethazone, banamine, Baytril and changing bandage again shooting in cephaliprine (lactating cow antibiotic) into the hole and again pushing a gauze bandage as a "plug". Vet said if he doesn't stand by Tues we may want to put him down.

This evening Mark and our neighbor Pete rigged up Pete's tow truck and put a strap where the girth would be and the other strap (about as wide as a girth too) back farther (just before the family jewels). They hoisted him up and he flailed with his front end--- hung with his back--- they were afraid of hurting him so they lowered him down.

 

Day 3 Tuesday, October 16:

We had been focusing on the head wound (which actually did not appear to puncture the skull but did run along the top side of the first vertebrate, leading us to believe that swelling could be the problem). Our goal was to bring it down... At this time, however, I decided to focus on the right hip and lower spine as it occurred to me that he may have injured himself on the fall down. He instantly responded to neurokinesiology (accupressure) with chewing indicated relief. We also lifted the back leg as high as possible to "pop" his back. The vet arrived to give THE SHOT and I asked him to hotshot him to see if we could encourage him to stand up. He got his legs under him and started to stand but was too weak in the hind end---- A REPRIEVE! The vet said it was encouraging and we could have more time. He gave him everything as above but again 60 cc Dexamethazone (we were going for broke realizing the danger of founder with steroids but also realizing that for everyday he was not standing, Scimitar's chances went down). Checked with the famous Dr. Charlie Boles (co-founded Alamo Pintado, along with Dr. Doug Herthel)-- said we now had 5% chance but were doing everything right. Heck--- SOMEONE wins the lottery! Again stayed down with him all day and all night--- giving water, food, encouragement.... and his spirits were good. Only negative: a few sores from trying to stand and laying down-- treated with Corona.

Day 4 Wed, October 17:

As the colt was still unable to stand, we prepared for the vet's arrival and THE SHOT. Scimitar was so perky at the time of our vet's arrival that he decided to change the bandage first. Scimitar now had recognition of pain there and ALMOST stood up---- 2/3 up with the hind legs. Vet gave another reprieve--- Scimitar was getting stronger. Dr. Warden was encouraged and suggested we try the tow truck again. We would have to wait until later when Pete came home. Meanwhile Scimitar got the same medical regimen except IV bute rather than banamine and only 40 cc of dexamethazone. Mark and I tried to pop his back again but he did not want anymore of that. He did, however, like the pressure point work. A little irony, Mark had gone up to get something to eat and some freeway driver saw the horse in the field and the Sheriff had to come out to see if we were abusing the horse. I should be so abused! DMSO again--- smells like we live in a Korean restaurant! We attempted the tow truck "Peter Pan" experiment again later when Dr. Warden came back. Same disappointing results --- Scimitar flailed with his front legs but was uncoordinated with his back end. Dr. Warden felt that could be due to horses' instinct to hang loose when suspended from the abdomen. Decided not to attempt it again that day because we did not have the type of suspension system to be effective. I thought of rigging up a horse blanket between the straps for more even pressure but then weighed the danger of the colt crashing into truck and the difficulty with lowering enough to get him to put weight on his hind end.

Day 5 Thurs, October 18:

Hal's son looked perky in the morning. Dr. Warden said he was going to let him rest and get up on his own-- he crashed hard the previous day when he had tried to get up and we feared that if we pushed him too soon, he might fall, giving himself a concussion. He was given 15 cc Dexamethazone, IV bute, and Baytril Eating drinking and pooping with no problem. He has no temperature and is in good spirits. Wants people around him 24/7. Put his sister next to him for cheering up--- she promptly stole his grain and tried to bite him over it. Bad idea but it did perk him up--- he was happy to see her anyway.

Day 6 Friday, October 19:

I had to go to work--- cried eyes out in the morning. I was certain THE SHOT would be given as he had not tried to get up during the night and seemed terribly depressed before I left. I was away from the office all day. Came back to the office to hear a message "horse perked up for vet--- sat up and
appeared on the verge of getting up. Either he is feeling better or he wants to avoid the hot shot." ANOTHER REPRIEVE! He was again given 15 cc dexamethazone, IV bute and Baytril. Didn't mind bandage change as much. Given a full body message by a masseuse who also gave my husband one (oh that I was there!.. Sleeping in the van in the cold...the aches..)

Day 7 Saturday, October 20:

No real tries at getting up last night. Vet just left---- NO SHOT!!! head wound looks great--- just keeping him on SMZ's now. IV catheter removed and we're now giving him 2G bute day and night. Vet thinks the original swelling that laid him down is gone but now we are fighting muscle soreness from being down so long. We're going to put lots of shavings under him to minimize pressure sores but not sure how to help him regain strength in his back legs after being down since Sat night or Sunday morning. He is still playing with me with his lips--- this 2 year old has so much heart (like his daddy) that he is an inspiration to me. He looks just like his sire (who you might remember I had to put down earlier this year)---- just don't want to go through it again--- a real deja vu!

 

Day 9 Monday, October 21:

THE BOY GOT UP TWICE TODAY!!!!! True, only for a brief moment until his legs buckled. Seems to be dizzy, unbalanced. The accupressurist Debra Caldwell, a friend who spent 2 hours massaging him and working his meridians today, felt that part of the problem is that his ocular nerve was damaged when he initially fell---- could very well be as his eye was VERY swollen when we first found him. Now the trick will be to try to get him up so that no more damage occurs from laying down--- yet give his eye time to heal. We are going to try to blindfold him tomorrow and get him to stand--- might decrease dizziness--- any thoughts on this?

Scimitar was getting so strong, we decided to try the tow truck again to help him get up. He again started flailing and tried to take off--- yes the back legs were working-- but we could not quick release the towing straps fast enough. He wound up going down again, with the support of the straps so that he did not crash hard. We got him up again without the tow later, but he buckled soon after rising. He spent all day Sunday resting after Sat's activities and TTouch was used on him, as per Bobbie Lieberman's instructions, and he was massaged much of the day. If we can get a proper sling--- and we are looking--- we may do well by just assisting him in rising and then releasing quickly---- a lot harder than it sounds (thank you Cindy for your instructions).
The boy is improving, though, and there is no more talk of THE SHOT!!!
Thanks for all your support! I would go down the list of all you wonderful coaches to thank you, but I am brain dead at this time and have to go down and roll him. Someone will have to roll me into bed then. Mark has been doing much of the night duty, bless his heart, as I chill easily and take sick. This is the true test of a marriage!!!! (actually, he says he sleeps better on the air mattress on the nights I'm not there--- something to do with the slant---- sounds like the old I Love Lucy episode at the motel next to the train tracks---- anyone else out there as old as me???)

Month 2, November 11:

Hal's son is still holding his own. Every time I leave for work thinking he will be gone upon my return, he rallies and neither the vet nor my husband can give him "THE SHOT." He has an army of people who have seen him from the freeway who now bring him carrots and apples (he was peeing orange for a while until we cut back) and all the massage therapists from Sycamore Springs Resort now make almost daily visits to give him massages and energy work. Our previous vet Dr. Gordon gave me hope when he spoke of a race horse he knew who foundered, lost his hooves and was down for a year. He got up when they grew back, was reconditioned, and won his race! I'll just be happy if Hal's son can just walk around and keep the grass mowed.

Although the body can frequently recuperate from injuries, I found out the reason the vets say to put a horse down after 3 days of not getting up is that they usually die of pneumonia, or ulcers which become infected and affect the joints, etc.. More frequently, the down horse will stop eating and drinking and lose the will to rise again. Scimitar, on the other hand, has maintained an incredible attitude and improves daily. Update: he sits up much of the time now with his front legs stretched out in front of him. He also frequently now "half-stands" with his front legs supporting the front of his body with his butt still planted on the ground. He circles using his front end. We flip him over as he prefers to rest on his right side; however, he frequently flips himself back over to the right. His ulcers are almost all healed on his flanks and hips, particularly on the left side. The pink bandage medicine works great as well as the Alumspray (liquid aluminum bandage). If anyone needs wound care info, I can now tell you of medicines, bandages (some $7 a pop) etc. which appear to help. The only significant sores he has now are on his front elbows, caused by the pressure of his propping himself up. They drain and are not infected; however, we have him on SMZ's and Maalox as a precaution. We had him on bute but have tapered him off some--- worried about stomach ulcers.

He is in good spirits most of the time, only getting a little pissy at night when he is tired (like us!) It is now the beginning of the rainy season. Mark has been sleeping in the van parked by him at night in case the resident mountain lion, bobcats or coyotes got a taste for horse meat. We moved him yesterday to a paddock by the barn with the aid of plywood, PVC "rollers" and a wench by getting him in our stock trailer after tranq'ing. He tried to get up after he woke up but only got a few feet--- his back end is still weak and uncoordinated, although we saw less spasticity this time. Both vets said that nerves can regenerate; obviously his spinal cord is not severed or he would not be able to get up at all. He seems to know he needs to give his back time to heal and just exercises his front end--- more and more each day. He still has good strength in his back legs (can kick out if he doesn't want to roll so we use a rope around his fetlock--- the boy is strong) so if we keep doing TTouch work as Bobbie suggested (thank-you again, Bobbie) and keep him dry, he really doesn't require much now.

He will be bombproof when he recovers. We have a cheap canopy over him with plastic tarp--- tied down with stakes but it wouldn't hurt him if he crashes into it, it is so flimsy. He was afraid of the plastic tarp wafting in the wind and the loud noise it made until he realized it was that or the rain. He rotated his body until he was completely under the tarp. Last night was the first night we didn't sleep with him as our van leaks by the sunroof and both Mark and I are coming down with colds. We checked on him frequently until midnight when we both slept through, exhausted. I awoke at 4:30 and drove down to the barn only to find him laying in the center under the tarp-- the winds had been so bad they pulled the eyelet out of it where we had tied down one side. It must have really been blowing, but there he was, dry in the middle. We're thinking "search and rescue horse" eventually! If anyone has any suggestions for the elbow ulcers, we'd appreciate them. Those are the only sores we haven't been able to get rid of-- big holes. We've been shooting a cephalasporin into them (Today for lactating cows) to avoid infection. Also, we are not sure how long he can be on SMZ's without problems. So far he is pooping regularly and peeing clear now (brief time of blood in urine---he had refused water that day-- we added minerals and salt to his medicine and when he drank more, the urine cleared--- could have been a little ulcer). He is on older horse feed (minimal molasses in it) and a little alfalfa just so he can chew and to keep him from becoming constipated. He also is being given immune booster pellets, bran mashes, and of course, LOTS of carrots and apples.

Month 2, November 24:

Well Hal Jr. is still very much alive. We have been able to keep the pressure sores to a minimum--- the aluminum spray works when the sore is on top and I got some sponge gel bandage that works great on them just before we roll him so that he has some cushion. The only sores we are having problems with are on the elbows and as he is sitting up more and more (and actually, half-standing), the sores get more pressure. We have avoided any infection-- we still have him on 10 SMZ's AM and PM with Glen Oaks yogurt to replace the probiotics. Still turn him every 6 hours except when he turns himself (about every third time). He gets up and has good leg strength-- he seems to have more and more front end control each week and has been known to crawl to his grain and hay when he moves at night and we aren't there to reposition his food. He was actually fatter at one point after the injury than he was prior to it but I guess he realized that it made it more difficult for him to get up. He has now cut back some. Still eats, drinks and poops but looks more like a lean race horse now. He has tremendous muscles in front from his half-stands. He got up yesterday when Stacie was repositioning the tarp (which protects him from the rain). He took only a couple of steps before he lost his balance and fell down, but was able to control his front end so that his head did not crash as it had before when he first was injured.

He has a GREAT attitude, nickers to the other horses in the close pasture, and begs for carrots and apples from visitors. He reminds me now of a horse with VERY severe wobbles. I watched Michel Kaplan cure a horse with pretty severe wobbles (of course, not as severe as Hal's) with his neurokinesiology. Both Mark and I feel Michel could really help him at this point but have been unable to locate him. Does ANYONE know where we can find him? Please let me know if you do. If you belong to other chatrooms, would you please ask there, too? This colt is too special to let him down-- he's trying so hard. Not even on bute anymore as he does not act like a horse in pain--- just very little control over his hind end. Two of our vets say that nerves can regenerate and we still see progress weekly. So long as we can keep the pressure sores from becoming infected and can keep him from developing pneumonia (actually, Mark and I are more in danger of that--- we have to stay with him during heavy rains so that the water doesn't pocket and cave in and so the wind doesn't blow away the tarp--- he stays warm and dry and we look like drowned rats! :-) ) then we can give him time to heal. Thanks for any help anyone can give on locating Michel.

Month 3, January 13, 2002:

Well, it has been a long haul. Scimitar is still holding his own. He sits like a dog now and spins around in a circle to exercise. He has far more head and neck control than before. He hates being on his left side so when we turn him each day, he waits until we are out of sight and flips himself back over to his right side. Much of the time we find him sitting up, resting on his front elbows. We have deep straw bedding and we drug him into the barn during the last horrible rainstorm--- he went very willingly as we flipped him onto plywood and then heaved ho with the help of a neighbor and my son, my husband and me. It would have been comical to watch, had it not been pouring down buckets. We were falling all over each other. Anywho, we are still doing TTouch with him and have added neurokinesiology, having located Michel Kaplan and one of his assistants, Helena Bresk. We have used the laser and energy work as well. I now have Karen Hale, a licensed horse AND people chiropractor, doing vector-cranial work on him. As I am not made of money, I am trading out horse baby-sitting and web site design for much of the treatments.

Hal's son (I call him---he looks so much like his dad who I lost last year) has kept such a positive attitude. He eats like a pig; I wish he would drink more but I now know where they got the saying "you can lead a horse to water but..." He is still so very sweet, although sometimes at night he can get a little cranky, as when we are pulling him over onto his other side, etc. Can't say as I blame him. All this poking and prodding and I just really have to believe somehow he knows it is to help him get better. I guess he does know that on some level or he wouldn't nicker to me each time I go to him. He got a boom box for Christmas so he could listen to Enya and Simon and Gar. Still begs for carrots and grain. Guess it is just a matter of time and patience. Nerves can regenerate and he can and does stand from time to time. He seems to have vertigo which could disappear as the nerves repair themselves. If the little cochlea bone broke, perhaps it just needs time to heal completely. Has anyone had experience with vertigo? I know in my heart that this will have a happy ending. He must, too. When he gets cranky at night, I remind him that he must want to live or he could just stop eating and drinking--- no sign of that-- the boy is a pig!

Month 4 February 7:

Yes, the boy is still alive and last night was half standing (sitting like a dog) for quite awhile and didn't appear to be dizzy. I believe the boy's about to make a move!!!

 

Month 4 February 16:

Hooray! The colt is fine so far as the dizziness. The cochlea healed and he "half stands" with NO dizziness and total control. Only problem--- he is terrified to stand up all the way--- feels he will fall and hurt himself again. Sooo we are hoisting him up again in the confines of the barn using a block and tackle mounted on a joist across the ceiling. Sooo, does anyone have access to a horse sling or a cargo net? OR know where we can get a cargo net? The horse slings are terribly expensive and we will only use it once--- money is always tight before breeding season. We understand there was an article in Equus where someone used the cargo net for support. Anyone still have this article--- Bobbie?? Say a little prayer for him. He has had soooo much heart through this whole ordeal. And, by the way, LOVES Bocelli CD's (we got him a boom box for Christmas) sooo if your horse in is the barn during the day, turn off the AM and turn on OPERA! (and I don't mean the talk show)

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Month 4 February 21:

OK ---- we are heading into the last stretch. I talked to many different manufacturer's of horse slings and found out that for Hal's son, the best by far (in fact, the only one that will really work for his needs) is the Anderson Sling which picks the horse up by the skeletal system and encourages him to stand (rather than the abdominal lifts which encourage horses to hang loose). Only problem, the lifts cost around $3400! The good news!!!! Alamo Pintado has one and is loaning it to us!!! The only thing we will have to buy is the corner ties plus instructional tape which we will donate to the clinic after their use. What a win win situation!!! I have an animal communicator who is going to be on the cell phone when we hoist him Sat around noon, plus Dr. Warden in case we need a light tranq to ease his anxiety (by the way, this is the vet who always cheered the horse on and didn't want to put him down!) plus a a couple big supporters to help with the logistics. We've had a cast of thousands to date (it seems)-- from the masseuses at Sycamore Hot Springs who voluntarily massaged him at the beginning, to accupressurists, to chiropractors, to energy workers, and yes, all of Bobby Lieberman's very important instructions on TTouch and my neighbors who have helped us with water and poop duty from time to time. Sooo now all we need is some prayers. He has certainly kept up his spirits. The lift may be very scary to him. Send very good wishes to him on Sat. Thanks for all your support and I hope to report a VERY happy ending. No matter how this story ends, however, we have gained immensely from working with Bunny (nicknamed so after he bit out a piece of his lip on one fall which gives him a bunny like appearance in front--- corny but he seems to like the pet name of Bunny Face). His courage is an inspiration to us and all who have worked and are still working with him. I have no regrets no matter how things go from now on.

Saturday, February 23 (See Pictures below):

Hal's son was hoisted via the Anderson lift around 2:00 and came out of sedation around 4--- still in and out as we had to give him quite a bit. Took us hours to piece the thing together (didn't feel so bad when our vet told us that Dr. Rick at Alamo Pintado told him it took 5 vets 45 minutes to figure it out). We made lots of adjustments as it seemed to be made for a much bigger horse. He is now pissed off over being in the contraption and using his front legs--- can't go anywhere because of the corner ties. Handling it remarkably well considering he is a 2 year old-- going three. Still having trouble putting weight on his hind end-- but then he has not used it for 4 months so we expected a delay. He is voraciously eating out of a hay bag and drinking. He kicks his hind legs out--- like he is getting used to them again. Puts some weight on his left one and kicks with his right one--- he was laying predominantly in his right side so it must feel weird to have it completely free now. We are taking it slow. He has a good attitude--- begged for carrots as soon as he came to. Just teed off he can't get out of this contraption and if you saw it, it looks like a cross between something from the middle ages and Mad Max. I video taped most of the progress today so I will put photos up on my web site when I get a minute. Right now keeping close tabs on the boy--- not afraid of the sling at all. It is very balanced--- a real Godsend. We didn't have the head support (lost at the vets) and no time to order so his head is free--- he likes to look at his rear end and try to figure out what is going on. He even was watching the video with us on TV as to how to hook the thing up--- wait till you see the pics--- priceless. Thanks to all. We still have much rehab to do but we have a good start. Thanks so much to Pat Super who donated the corner ties---- he would have taken us out without the supports to keep the contraption in one place. WONDERFUL invention this sling. I'll keep you posted on his progress. He sure has heart!

Here are pictures of "Bunny Face" and the Anderson Sling which we put him into on Saturday, February 23. The sling is allowing him to work those back legs without fear of falling from initial weakness, after being down so long-- over 4 months!

The Anderson Sling: Saturday, February 23, 2002

Please be patient while loading; these are thumbnails and should load quickly.
Click on the pictures to see a full size picture.

Monday, February 25:

Not so sure he'll be running around the pasture any time real soon--- bad day today. The sling slipped down and had to be repositioned. Now it is better positioned in front BUT covers his anus--- he has to stand in order to poop--- I hope he figures that out. When we tried to lower it from the anus, we lost the support to his hind end. Instead of using the sling as a balancing aid, he is choosing to dangle from it. So much inactivity during the last 4 months--- he is simply not using himself yet and the sling seems to be too big for him (geared probably for a thoroughbred or warmblood) so it is VERY hard to adjust for an Arabian 2 year old colt. It looked sooo easy in the video. Never-the-less, without it, Bunny would be still laying down. We need things we can do to "wake up" his butt. He can bear down on his back legs when he wants to (and really kick when frustrated) but won't stand on them yet. Anyone else had a horse down for a long time and then in a sling? Unfortunately we are limited on the TTouch things I was doing because of all the straps and buckles etc. over his back, body and upper legs. Seems that most of my pressure points are covered in some way-- can't do the tarantula walk down the spine very well (which I know is really important) and now I have a hard time getting to the pressure points near his anus (boy, that would not sound good to a non-horse/holistic person). Forget the bok springs--- can't reach the abdomen either right now.

Tuesday, February 26:

Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions. I am in the process of looking into them--- may take a couple days to sort through them all. The concern is really wonderful! Bunny had a great day once we called the inventor of the Anderson Sling--- Charlie-- and asked him what to do. He told us which straps to tighten and we started pulling, pushing, lifting, and voila!! Bunny was able to poop again! (The day before, he could poop but there was a pocket right below so we would have to scoop it out or it would irritate his skin. Wouldn't you know--- NO latex gloves and stores had closed when we realized we needed them. Well, this is true love! I never considered myself a nail biter before, BUT I became painfully aware of how I have this unconscious habit of putting my nails in my mouth! Ugh--- although I washed and washed--- there was still this "fragrance"... No finger foods that night! Like the story of the 2 cowboys out on the trail and one stopped and got down off his horse, saying he had chapped lips. Stuck his fingers you-can-imagine-where and wiped the residue on his lips. His partner in shock asked him if it cured them. The cowboy replied, "Well, I don't know about THAT...but it sure keeps me from licking my lips!"

Anywho, Bunny has been using his legs more, at times putting some weight on the back ones. We wrapped the front as he is stretching them out in front and putting weight on them in a strange position. We pull, push, rotate, and mess with his back legs to encourage their use. Seems to be working. A TTouch person and neurokinesiological release therapist, Helena Bresk, is working with us as well as her friend Christina, and the horse chiropractor, Karen Hale, is coming tomorrow. I am not asking much of him yet--- he's getting use to being up and doing really well on his own. His spirits are really good. Ira came over and baby-sat while I took some pics off my camcorder so that you can get a sense of the great invention the sling has been, now that we are a little more knowledgeable in how to adjust it.

 

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