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AJ (General Alarm) shortly after he returned home from his ordeal June 1998 |
Never did any of us foresee the nightmare which was about to unfold.
Seven months after the proud Thoroughbred stepped into the trailer headed west, he arrived back, a ghastly forlorn skeleton. Gone was his zest for life, the spark in eye.
This is AJ's story...
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Liisa and her horse General Alarm aka AJ |
While we were helping Liisa look for a horse for her to purchase from the lower mainland, where we had lived for several years, Pam opened her house to us. We stayed with Pam while she introduced us to many owners but the horse we fell in love was right under our noses the entire time.
AJ, known as High & Low (for the color of the incoming and outgoing tide) at the time, was aggressive and dangerous, especially during feeding time. Pam explained to us how he had been rescued from a field with numerous other horses who all had to fight for the meager offerings they found. Many of the horses in the field were skin and bones, skeletons of their equine relatives, knowing to survive was to fight.
Pam remembered how she would hide this berserk equine from guests and students when he arrived at Livingstone Stables, because he was in such poor shape. He was kept in the broodmare barn, which was normally off limits to the general public, and fed through an opening in the meshing at the top of the large box stall. AJ was still extremely thin, but it was his great desire to live, which made him the great horse he became.
Although Liisa was the one who was buying a horse, Kris and I were the ones who were trying them out for her, because of her broken leg. AJ was just barely green broke, but allowed us to ride him in the arena, although he had to be lunged for a while before anyone even considered getting on him. He reminded me of an avenging brute as he bucked, circle after circle. He contained a lot of hostility to everyone, other equines included. Regardless, Kris still jumped on and walked and trotted him around for Liisa to observe and assess.
Despite all this, AJ won our hearts, especially my older sister, whom purchased the fiery gelding. Liisa was actually looking for a dressage horse but acquired a 3-Day Eventer instead. She never regretted her decision and we learned to love her newly acquired renegade.
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AJ (General Alarm) romping with one of his buddies, Beau (Orillia Lee Beau) Both horses were born May 3, 1978 Picture was taken at PG Exhibition Grounds in 1983 |
During feeding, we would throw the hay into the front corner, away from the grain tub and while he was digging into the hay, we would hustle into the stall, dump his grain and quickly scoot out before his heels or teeth could catch us.
Unfortunately many people are afraid of what they either don't understand or what they cannot control.
AJ was boarded at the Exhibition Grounds with two of our other horses, Beau and Tango. All three horses, which were brought to the indoor arena for training and conditioning, were stabled in the same barn. One day I entered the barn to find a woman threatening AJ with a shovel. She had it raised high over her head and started swinging it towards the grey when I shouted out. She promptly dropped the shovel and I told her to stay away from the horse. The woman admitted to me, "he scares me". Beau and Tango were never threatened to my knowledge. The grounds manager was informed and kept a strict surveillance on the barn after the incident.
We never wondered why we put up with AJ's aggressiveness. We just did. After several weeks of quiet, but deliberate persistence, AJ finally allowed me not only to stay in his stall safely while he ate, but also to pet and groom him. We had jumped the first hurdle.
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April 1984 Susan riding AJ In the shadows is Akanni, from Japan, on Tango riding for her first time |
AJ was the most upside down horse I have ever ridden. It required an extra effort on our part to teach this adolescent to round out. Although he always remained a difficult horse to maintain in a frame, he also became a very willing partner.
Training this obstinate youth obligated us to apply patience and understanding. I spent many hours in the indoor arena lunging him prior to even considering mounting the strong-willed equine. Connecting or bonding with AJ took an exceptionally long time. AJ was used to fighting for everything and didn't know otherwise. Survival for him meant always being the alpha horse.
Although my goal at the time was to condition and continue the training on Beau, I helped Liisa with AJ's training because of the extra time I was able to donate. Liisa worked as a Registered Nurse, and her shifts were usually 12 hours. She also had a long drive home, so on those days I would work AJ for her.
Liisa excelled in training horses for dressage. She proceeded to work AJ on his lateral work, transitions and leg yielding, slowly working towards more advanced movements in the fine art of dressage. Collecting AJ required much perseverance, but once he understood what was wanted, he finally was able to perform a walking canter in a totally round frame.
I remember riding AJ on trail rides, performing the canter the entire ride while others walked, trotted and cantered. Those days AJ was known to buck and once he decided he was going to eliminate his rider he was usually successful. I preferred to remain mounted on those rides and we found he chose not to buck while maintaining gaits faster than a walk. AJ had a lot of energy and he needed to expend it.
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AJ competing in a 3-Day Event Competion |
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Kelowna 3-Day Event Competition Kris competing with AJ Both looking very tired but alert on the last fence |
AJ had qualified for the BC Summer Games to be held in the spring of 1994. Unfortunately that year they cancelled the 3-Day Eventing Competition in the Summer Games.
Cattle penning is usually considered a job for breeds such as Quarter Horse's, but that didn't stop Liisa from working AJ with cattle. She found if the cattle became too slow, AJ would take matters upon himself and bite them.
AJ was also trained for western pleasure and reining in his later years. The extensive Dressage training Liisa had instilled upon AJ, during his younger years, created the perfect setting for teaching him reining patterns.
The terms for the "Free Lease" were discussed, with special attention brought to the feeding and stabling of the horse. The stipulations in the lease were that AJ was to be kept separate from all other horses and they were to follow a strict diet, which they agreed to. They would also take care of all expenses and transportation while they had the horse under their care. AJ left for Terrace in November 1997.
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Picture of AJ taken in Terrace a couple of weeks before he arrived back home |
A friend of Liisa's was concerned for the welfare of the animal and contacted Liisa, who immediately went to the stable. She noticed the horses were all coming in from the field and AJ was not amongst them. Liisa decided to go and investigate and was devastated to find AJ standing in a corner, up against the fence, with his head hanging with white foam coming from his mouth to form a puddle in front of his front legs.
Liisa was devastated, and in a panic, called our parents. Dealing with other situations at the time made the additional problems with AJ just too much to cope with on her own. When the Pony Club instrutor was contacted by our parents, she said the horse was fine, but he just didn't have the same pizzazz he had in the beginning. Pictures taken of AJ while still at the stable in Terrace, claimed otherwise.
These Ionophore's are extremely toxic to horses. Some symptoms include anorexia, sweating, colic, depression, incoordination, heart and liver damage, and even death.
Many horses fed cattle feed or feeds with Ionophores in them die within a short period of time after ingesting the feed. Some horses have a higher tolerance for this substance, which is poisonous to horses, and others will display many symptoms including lethargy, inappetance and failure to drink water. Horses exposed to these feeds may never fully recover to be a working animal. Congestive heart failure and septicemia are grave concerns while treating these equines, along with severe dehydration. The heart rate increases, CRT slows down and a definate heart murmur may be heard.
There is no specific antidote or cure for monesin poisoning. Vets need to stay ahead of the symptoms and treat them as they arrise. Speedy removal of the contaminated feeds from the equines system is the start. The horse will administered fluids intravenously to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. This will also minimize kidney, liver and heart damage.
AJ was re-checked on June 22, 1998. He was moving and considerably more alert. He also appeared to have an appetite though he was in thin body condition. The mucus membranes were now pink, instead of bright red and his Capilliary Refill Time was down to 2 seconds. His water consumption was still down and his heart rate was still elevated to 54 beats per minute. His heart murmur was downgraded from 4 out of 6 down to 2 out of 6. There was still a wheeze in his right lung though it no longer produced fluid like sounds. The nasal discharge was not mentioned on the second visit. AJ was noted to have a cough, which he apparently had since he was at the stable.
Stronger antibiotic treatment was recommended prior to moving the horse back to Prince George 'however there were financial constraints'. This was all the more reason to get AJ home as soon as he was able to travel.
The veterinary strongly suggested euthanasia, but knowing AJ's strong will, Liisa's desire was to have this feisty Thoroughbred back home, to where the people who loved him the most, lived. We felt he still had a chance to survive and we didn't want to take that away from him. It didn't make a difference when we were told, he may not be a working animal. We didn't want to see his last days in misery and pain.
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June 27, 1998 After a distressing 615 km ± ride back home |
June 27, 1998 the horse trailer pulled up in the yard at 2:30 pm. The person who had leased AJ claimed they had left at 6:15 am! The distance from Terrace to Prince George is 577 km. The ranch is located another ½ hour south of Prince George, 5 km of that on rough, twisting, hilly, gravel road.
AJ was extremely wobbly when he arrived home. His legs buckled when he got out of the open horse trailer, but he managed to stay on his feet. He had traveled the complete 615 km, without even a light blanket on, in his weakened state. AJ always needed a cooler on, even in extreme temperatures when he was healthy, or he would become very stiff and sore.
I couldn't imagine what AJ went through on that ride from Terrace but looking at his flared nostrils, he was obviously stressed. AJ did manage to perk up briefly when he recognized where he was, before once again withdrawing into a lethargic state.
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A couple of kick marks on AJ's hind quarter Taken immediately after returning from Terrace |
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An infected puncture wound on the elbow Taken immediately after returning from Terrace |
The blood tests which came back suggested EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia), but a Coggins test verified AJ was negative. Anemia and inflammation were evident, as well as an altered AG ratio. On the second series of tests, AJ's red blood cell count was still low but was showing signs of rising back towards normal. Both tests showed slight echinocytosis while the first one showed clumped platelets which varied in size. The Veterinary sustained a strong concern regarding liver damage and circulation. At the same time, hyperglycemia and stress, was also a grave concern. Pleurisy, along with a lung infection and septicemia were noted. AJ's eletrolyte balance was way out.
According to AJ's regular Veterinary, the 15.3 hh horse was about 300 pounds underweight. His CRT was at 2 seconds and his gums were a pale pink and moist. AJ's heart rate was still up to 60 (normal 32-40 bpm) and his respiratory was 24 (normal 8-16). The Veterinary noted he was gaunt and lethargic. Hoof marks were noticed on AJ's hind quarter as well as an infected puncture wound on his elbow. He had green mucus coming from his nose and bad breath. His eyes were running and he tired easily. AJ was still dehydrated and he had a severe cough.
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September 28, 1998 AJ grazing on the front lawn with Cera |
AJ started drinking and playing in his water again. He looked forward to grain with enthusiasm. He even rediscovered pleasure in rolling, which he has always loved to do. Things were looking up but everyone was still prepared for more upsets. Nothing could prepare anyone for what happened next.
July 3rd at 6 pm, AJ had his first seizure. Liisa was outside working with the horses when AJ ran up the hill along the fence line and within 3 strides, fell to his knees. He kept running and about another 50 to 75 feet later his hindquarters also buckled. Liisa yelled for help and ran to the stricken horse and pounced on his head to hold him down. Kris ran the 200 yards to the house and Mother and Father both hastened to assist. Liisa held the fence away from AJ and managed to pull the fence post out of the ground, due to the adrenaline rushing through her. Father was at AJ's head at this time. Mother brought the wire cutters for the fence, while Kris stayed inside awaiting the return call from the Veterinary.
About 4 to 5 minutes after the commencement of the seizure, AJ struggled to his feet despite Father still trying to stay on his head, and tried to go after the other horses, which had run towards the far end of the field in their panic.
Although not on call, the Veterinary who was working with AJ responded. He decided at that point to continue the penicillin and proceed with the original agenda. Surprisingly, AJ received only minor cuts from his episode, as well as losing some precious weight he had gained. He also acquired a swelling to his right eye, the side he had gone down on.
On July 18th, AJ started to show signs of colic at 6:30 am. Liisa and Kris stayed with him all day, spelling each other off. He showed signs of recovery at 1 am but the symptoms came back within a short period of time. He was quite stressed but seemed to relax a little by 2:30 am. He also started coughing again. By 7:30 am, an exhausted AJ was found lying down on his stomach, with his front legs in front of him and one hind leg off to the side. Mineral oil was administered during this episode and by 8 pm on July 19th, AJ was finally feeling better, though he had lost all the weight he had gained.
AJ was started on garlic and also put back on penicillin because of another infection which cropped up on September 22nd. He was looking forward to his grain with enthusiasm now and was also being started on light exercise.
He was now well on his way to recovery, though he would never be the same horse he was when he first left on that fateful journey to Terrace.
I started riding AJ that spring, slowly at first and then working up to longer trail rides. He was excited to be on the trails again. We also started using AJ as a school horse, which he proved himself notable. Eventually, we started riding AJ on Poker Rides again, though I would dismount at the check points and massage AJ for several minutes, and let him rest, before we continued on.
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MayDay Parade 2001 Susan driving AJ with Mother riding shotgun |
AJ always gave his handler everything he could and then some, often masking his pain. Some days he could not manage and knowing AJ was trying hard for us, we would massage him and give him a rest. I took my Rider Level 1 on AJ, which we passed with 100%. AJ was feeling good and responded to each aid with enthusiasm.
In October 2001, I attempted to ride AJ in the Rider Level 2. During the clinic, the previous day, AJ showed signs of severe discomfort. I spent most of the time massaging him, trying to work the soreness out of him. AJ wasn't visually lame but I could feel the additional effort he spared, to perform what I required of him. The clinician told me that AJ was 'testing me, I need to show him who is boss'. She did not believe he was feeling poorly and tried to force me to push him harder. My sister, who was also taking the clinic, overheard the instructor, also tried to tell the instructor, 'AJ is the type of horse who will do everything in his power to please his rider, no matter how much he hurts.'
The next day I had to use my sister's horse, Merlin, for the test. AJ tried his best that week-end, but by the second day he was obviously lame and showing signs of illness. I refused to make him suffer, although he would have continued to try. I still passed with a reputable mark in the high 90's; but it was a hollow victory.
AJ recovered from that week-end. Shortly after the Level 2 testing, I rode a horse I had had over for a month of training back to his owner's place, while Kris rode Merlin and ponied AJ. We transferred the saddle to AJ and I rode him back home. It was to be our last ride. AJ felt strong, powerful and and full of life. He tried to run off on me several times and I pretended to let him, always watchful that he didn't over-exert or hurt himself. He pranced like a young colt afterwards.
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Liisa, AJ's owner and best friend, riding AJ during a Dressage Competition |
I still see AJ during his last colossal battle which lasted several hours. He had the desire to live but the massive heart attack was too much for an already weakened heart. The veterinary could do nothing but ease his pain. AJ was humanely put to rest at 4:30 pm on November 13, 2001.
Horses never judge us. They accept us for what we are. We can learn a lot from these equines, if we are willing. They can also teach us to become a better person, but only if we are willing to listen to them.
If one horse is saved because someone read this compilation, then my efforts and tears in writing this will have served their purpose.
Created on March 17, 2004
Most recent update March 17, 2004
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