Dismal rescue update

The mare, to put it plainly, is not doing well.

We aren't sure what to do.

There comes a point where you think the road to any
type of "life" for her is going to be so long and hard with a
quality so poor. . . is it worth it?

And the bigger question. . .is any type of life even possible?
I am not sure she can recover. I am not sure at all.

Why this sudden turn to pessimism?

Well, her cornium prolapse has gotten very, very severe.
Even on 1 gm of bute (we've upped it as of tonight to 2 gm)
a day, she is still laying down a LOT. . .
The abscesses just keep draining and pouring blood from the left
front hoof, which also has the prolapse. The prolapse and abscesses, even wrapped 24/7,
draws flies so bad, we encounter a maggot problem no matter what we do. . . she seems
in more pain than before. . .

The left front leg is very swollen, too.

I notice the swelling extends up to her ribcage, but it isn't so severe that is can be seen in the photo below:

The vet asked us when he came out, "Are you SURE you want to do this?"
This meant. . .give the extreme effort to TRY to save her. .. there is no guarantee, and certainly, there is no promise she will ever be comfortable or enjoy being a horse.

I do not want to become so swept up in the rescue that I forget the rescue. . .

I wanted to save her from harm and pain. . .saving doesn't always end with a life that is happily ever after. . .it can be simply an end to pain and harm. Regardless, she will have that.

I am not sure what the expense might be the continue trying to fix the plethora of problems developing. I know we cannot carry extended expenses beyond what we are doing with her now.

We are not giving up, but I am trying to be realistic about what is actually possible.

When I look at her. .. I don't yet see a SAVED horse.

I see a horse still in pain and suffering.

I want to see her be able to run through fields and do those things which all

horses ought to be able to do. . .

but maybe that is not a possibility "HERE"

* * *

I am not giving up yet, but I hope that I will draw a line and resolve

to do the right thing and not turn this poor mare into a long drawn out rescue

without a peaceful ending.