Thanks, Pete. I will follow

Thanks, Pete. I will follow the Metronidazole/Focus/Garlic Guard protocol. I hope that will prevent any further losses and also help Zephyr with his eating problem. He has a strong snick but a weak swallow. It takes him several attempts to swallow his food, and he often spits out some of it. I wonder if he is afflicted with the same parasites, whatever they are, that killed Galene. Feeding the Metro will hopefully clear out any parasitic infection in his throat or mouth so that he can eat more robustly. He’s still quite vigorous and active, but just so darn skinny.

If Zephyr’s health stays stable or, even better, improves, I may get him a new mate from Ocean Rider. He pursues my two Sunburst females, Doris and Calypso, and I suppose he might bond with one of them. Doris is only loosely bonded to Nereus, and Calypso to Aethon; those two romances are sort of lukewarm. Galene and Zephyr had a much deeper bond. Still, Zephyr does not seem to be plunged in grief. With the arrival of spring, the ponies have all stepped up their romance game. I think Zephyr’s hormones may spare him the worst effect of his loss, since there are two other females to distract him. (And he still loves to dance with me, though, of course, I’m spoken for. 😉 Eventually the skewed sex ration in that tank may become a problem. Time will tell, I guess.

Thanks again for all your help, Pete.