 
 |
 |
|
  |
|
SUNNY - 10-year-old Palomino Quarter Horse Gelding
Sunny is a gorgeous boy with huge dapples. He is really sweet, and can be a bit shy with
people. Sunny came with some physical issues that I'm currently working on resolving.
Sunny had developed a habit of bucking with his rider due to a very sore back and withers.
When Sunny arrived, I gently palpated his back to check for soreness. I was quite
surprised when his knees literally buckled and he almost went to the ground! I have been
doing energy work with great success on this issue. We were actually able to ride him for
short periods of time on four occasions over the summer with no bucking with the rider.
Sunny's other issue is a bad wire cut that ripped off a large section of his hoof
wall. He has been very tender on that foot after his regular hoof trims, but then as
the hoof grows out, he moves out like he is sound again. It is a waiting game right now -
- waiting for him to grow a new hoof.
RELLO - 4-year-old Thoroughbred Gelding
Rello has a pedigree that reads like royalty. Sired by the incredible racing Thoroughbred
stallion, Northern Afleet, who won over $600,000 on the track. His bloodlines include Afleet,
Mr. Prospector, and Nearctic - all of these sires are within the 4-generation pedigree! His
previous owner bought him as a yearling for $10K at a Kentucky Thoroughbred sale.
Sunny Acres received limited info on Rello when he arrived. We were told he was started as a
14-MONTH-old, but was never raced. At some point in his life, he had a very traumatic accident
that ended up leaving a scar on his forehead, shoulders very forward, and he has been unable
to engage his hindquarters correctly because of persistent weakness. He is also suffering
from some neurological issues that were caused by contact with chemicals (insecticides) in
his weakened condition. He is going through a major detox and cleanse right now.
Rello has also had a very hard time gaining and keeping weight on, which has only made his
other issues worse. After seeing the dentist, it was discovered that he had an impacted
wolf tooth. It has been removed, and hopefully Rello will be packing on the pounds now.
LYRICAL - 11-year-old Bay Quarter Horse Mare
Lyrical is a horse that was going to be sent to Canada for slaughter in
August, 2006. She has been at Sunny Acres for 2 years now. When she
arrived, she was about 150 lbs under weight and had a lameness that was
intermittent. Needless to say, it was very hard to pinpoint the exact cause.
After X-rays and an appointment for digital X-rays at WSU, we have been
able to determine that Lyrical has advanced navicular. She does have flexor
cortex lesions in her navicular bone, so she was not able to qualify for the
WSU navicular study.
I have never given up on the hope that Lyrical will be sound enough for
gentle riding again. She is currently being trimmed by a natural hoofcare
farrier specializing in Pete Ramey's methods. I am also using hoof boots
and pads on her and we are finally seeing some improvement in her stride
and quality of gait.
GINGER - 23-year-old Chestnut Quarter Horse Mare
Ginger was saved off of a feedlot where she was going to be
shipped to Canada for slaughter in October, 2006. I discovered
immediately that she had Cushing's Disease. It is caused by a small
tumor on the pituitary gland in the brain. Side effects may include a
long, curly coat that is difficult for them to shed in the summer, a
tendency to founder if regular hoof care and diet are not monitored,
and a very low tolerance for carbohydrates and sugars.
I immediately cleaned up Ginger's diet - eliminating all grains and
alfalfa, adding the Dynamite nutritional supplement, and only
feeding her grass hays and limited pasture. Sometimes Cushing's
horses require expensive medications, but Ginger has been doing
very well with the diet changes and adding a few herbs. She sheds
out her summer coat all on her own, and looks spectacular!
Click
here to see her progress. Ginger has been adopted out, but
still lives at the ranch.
Copyright 2007-2008 Sunny Acres Ranch - All rights reserved.