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Baby Kaya

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For some unknown reason, Kaya, a three-week-old miniature donkey was suffering from episodes of fainting.  She was taken to her local veterinarian who performed a complete physical examination.

The vet soon discovered a systolic heart murmur.  In addition, he could hear dropped heart beats that he believed were associated with the fainting.

After an electrocardiogram confirmed an abnormal heart rhythm, the veterinarian referred Kaya to the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis.

It was there that “Kaya” was seen by both the Large Animal Internal Medicine Department and the Cardiology Department.

They learned that not only was Kaya experiencing fainting episodes, but she was an unusually quiet baby donkey.  She never bucked or played like a normal baby.

Upon further examination, the UC Davis veterinarians agreed with the diagnosis made by Kaya’s local vet. Kaya had both heart murmurs and an abnormal heart rhythm.

To understand the causes of these abnormal findings, the UC Davis veterinarians performed both an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound).

The ECG showed an abnormal rhythm (arrhythmia) consistent with third-degree AV block, which is a failure of the inherent pace-keeping mechanism of the heart.

The ultrasound showed that the mitral, tricuspid and aortic valves were slightly leaky but that the overall structure and size of the heart were normal.

Routine lab work ruled out infection or electrolyte disturbances as the underlying causes of the arrhythmia.

Given these findings, it was suspected that Kaya’s third-degree AV block might be congenital, meaning they were present at birth as a result of hereditary or environmental influences.

It was decided to give Kaya a pacemaker to treat the arrhythmia. However, there were important considerations for Kaya’s health regarding the placement of the pacemaker.

First, given Kaya’s age, it was likely that she would outgrow her pacemaker and that a second surgery would in all probability be required.

Secondly,  the placement of the pacemaker was critical. The jugular vein used for the placement of the pacemaker could never be used to administer intravenous medications or to draw blood.

After careful consultation, Kaya was placed under general anesthesia and a pacemaker was installed. The evidence of the pacemaker’s success was seen immediately.

Little Kaya bucked  for the first time that same evening!

It was six months later that Kaya  returned for a second and larger pacemaker.  This surgery and the placement of her second pacemaker was successful.

Kaya is a now a very happy, bouncing donkey !

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Reference:

Horse Report – School of Veterinary Medicine -UC Davis
March 2013

“Three-horse team pulling water tower.”
A fire truck racing past the Tea Cup Inn on F Street.
Harris & Ewing.

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The three-week-old star of Budweiser’s Super Bowl ad now has a name: Hope.

Anheuser-Busch said Tuesday that its contest to find a name for the foal born Jan. 16 at the company’s Clydesdale ranch in mid-Missouri generated more than 60,000 tweets, Facebook comments and other messages.

Hope was one of the more popular names generated through the social media effort.

“We were overwhelmed by the response we got,” Lori Shambro, brand director for Budweiser, said in a statement.

“Many of our fans wanted a name to reflect their optimism and spirit, which the name Hope encapsulates beautifully,” Shambro said.

The foal now weighs 200 pounds and will weigh roughly 2,000 pounds when she is grown, said John Soto, supervisor of Warm Springs Ranch, where Anheuser-Busch raises Clydesdales near Boonville, Mo.

Hope was the second Clydesdale born at Warm Springs Ranch this year.

“This newest member of the Budweiser Clydesdale family was 7 days old on the day this part of the Super Bowl commercial was filmed,” said Jeff Knapper, general manager of Clydesdale operations, in a press release.  More than 30 Clydesdales are expected to be born in 2013.

According to Knapper,  “A star was truly born on Jan. 16.”

And now she is known as “Hope”.

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ABC News:
For fascinating video and information

Link:
Inside Anheuser-Busch’s Iconic Horse Breeding Operation

Photos: Courtesy of Budweiser

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Photographer: Fanny Olsson

The American Dream
This heartwarming commercial was aired in 2006.

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Fence
Super Bowl Commercial for 2010

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Photographer:  Ralph Palmer, Copyright Photo
Posted with permission

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Since 1967, the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, stationed in Barstow, California, has been representing the United States Marine Corps at events and ceremonies throughout the country.

What sets this color guard apart from any other military color guard is the fact that “America’s Heroes” are riding “America’s Living Legends,” wild mustangs captured and adopted from the Bureau of Land Management’s “Adopt a Horse and Burro Program.”

In addition, the team only rides Mustangs of Palomino color.  Several of these horses have been trained by inmates in Carson City, Nevada.

The riders are trained to recognize that horses are living creatures capable of thinking, feeling, and decision-making, no different than you and I.

The Marines learn to respect there mounts as individuals with different personalities.

Being aware of each horse’s potential challenges every rider to be a better horseman and stronger leader of Marines.

In January 1985, the Mounted Color Guard made its first appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, and has been given the extreme honor of the first military unit to lead the parade.

Since 1990, the Mounted Color Guard has participated in every Tournament of Roses Parade.

They will, again, be featured in the Rose Parade, this year.

The USMC Color Guard travels all over the United States participating in parades, rodeos, and many numerous events and ceremonies.

The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard is the only remaining mounted color guard in the Marine Corps today.

The horses continue to be ambassadors for the Wild Mustangs that remain a link to the history of America.

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USMC Mounted Color Guard

The Little Donkey That Could

Like many of Budweiser’s Clydesdale commercials, this one aired first during a Super Bowl — in this case, the 2004 edition.

A Dalmatian Channels Mickey Goldmill

This 2008 commercial is an inspirational story with Dalmatians and set to the theme from Rocky.

]]> http://simplymarvelous.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/budweiser-clydesdale-commercials-remembering-favorites-2/feed/ 1 Simply Marvelous http://simplymarvelous.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/to-all-friends-near-and-far/ http://simplymarvelous.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/to-all-friends-near-and-far/#comments Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:34:00 +0000 Simply Marvelous Horse World http://simplymarvelous.wordpress.com/?p=3406 ]]>

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