17/09/2024
Where do I even begin?
Yesterday was one of those days that truly revealed the heart and resilience of the Australian Brumby. Once again, our incredible community rallied together to help Banksy, showing their unwavering support for him. Weโd been facing so many challenges just trying to find a vet willing to take on his dental surgery. There was understandably a lot of apprehension around his case, and as time was ticking down to Equitana, I was feeling the pressure.
Generous people had donated to help cover the cost of Banksyโs surgery because they wanted to see him pain free, and I was working tirelessly, not just on improving his handling, but also trying to secure a surgery date. Yet, despite all the effort, we weren't making any headway.
In a last-ditch attempt, I reached out to Pete from EquiBreed Oz, my original vet from my days on the Central Coast. He had been following Banksyโs dental saga, and without hesitation, Pete agreed to take the case. His approach, though, would be a standing sedation instead of general anaesthesia, and he warned me there was a good chance the procedure wouldnโt be possible. I loaded Banksy into the float, hope flickering faintly in my heart, but no real expectations.
Banksy had never travelled by float before, but there he was, loading up for a two-hour trip up the coast like a champ. Our first stop was La Bella Vita Photography - Shannon Smith's property for some beautiful photos. In the back of my mind, I knew this might be our last day with him, a possibility that haunted me and made every moment, every photo, feel all the more precious. Shannon has this gift of making you forget your worries, and we found ourselves having fun on her stunning property, Banksy handling everything from spinning windmills to pigs and tractors like heโd seen it all before. At one point, he even almost followed me into Shannonโs glass greenhouse while we admired the breath-taking view. His trust in me, in all the odd things we threw at him, was something Iโll never forget.
But then it was back on the float, and reality hit me hard as we drove to Peteโs clinic. Anxiety started to gnaw at me. I wanted so badly for this to work. Pete was Banksyโs last hope. The biggest hurdle was giving Banksy sedation and getting an IV in his neck. Banksy, in true brumby spirit, was hyper-aware of every touch, sensing that this needle could be a life-or-death situation. I was bracing myself for Pete to call it off, but with calm, quiet determination, Pete never wavered. He gave Banksy confidence when I was losing mine.
There were moments of sheer panic in our wild brumby, times when I thought Banksy might destroy himself in his efforts to avoid the needles. My mind spiralled with fear. But then, to all our surprise, Banksy gave in, and though it wasnโt easy, Pete managed to insert a catheter in his neck for continuous sedation. After taking more X-rays, it was confirmed, three pre-molars had to come out. But that wasnโt the end of our challenges.
Banksy needed a nerve block. And this needle was massive, (bigger than an epidural for mums out there). It had to go from the underside of his jaw, all the way up through his cheek. I thought for sure this would be where everything unravelled. I was trembling, my anxiety through the roof, feeling both so close and yet so far from the finish line. Pete and I talked at length about Banksyโs options, and it became clear that Banksyโs fate rested in Peteโs capable hands.
Pete worked, steady and patient, despite Banksyโs head shakes and resistance. Even heavily sedated, Banksy was still fighting. But Pete stayed calm, silently persistent, until, finally, the nerve block was in. Two hours into the appointment, I allowed myself, for the first time, to believe we might actually pull this off.
And then, the real battle began. For the next three and a half hours, Pete worked tirelessly, meticulously loosening Banksyโs teeth, each one a monumental challenge. Blood, sweat, and tools surrounded us, as the light outside began to fade. We pressed on into the night, every minute filled with a mixture of anxiety and awe as we watched Banksy, this remarkable creature, handle each extraction with quiet strength.
One tooth came out, and it felt like a hard-won victory. We couldnโt help but cheer in celebration. Then came the next, and with each tooth, our hope grew stronger. Banksy was giving us everything he had, rising to the challenge in a way that left even Pete speechless. Finally, the last tooth came free, and we were all amazed, this incredible brumby had done it. What a bloody legend.
At 7:30pm that night in the dark and freezing cold, we loaded Banksy back into the float. The journey home felt surreal. I was physically and emotionally drained, the adrenaline finally wearing off. Tears quietly welled up as the weight of it all hit me, gratitude for every single person who had helped us get to this moment, for the love and support from our community, and for Banksy, who had shown a resilience and courage beyond what I could have ever imagined.
This victory was not just mine, or Peteโs, but the entire communityโs, a shared triumph of love for our little wild brumby. Itโs something Iโll carry with me forever.
Huge thankyou to everyone who helped to make this happen, my family, friends, my amazing vet Marnie for her initial work with Banksy to get a diagnosis and to Pete for teaming up to get the surgery completed, sponsors, everyone who donated and shared our fundraiser, and especially to Cรกtia Borrego for being by my side throughout everything, the moral support has been so valuable. But most importantly to Banksy for showing up and allowing us to help him, what an incredible horse.
Australian Brumby Challenge
EQUITANA Australia
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