Rehabilitating Horses
Rehabilitating horses is not a task for the faint-hearted. It demands time, patience, a readiness to seek assistance and heartache.
It can be exhausting and frustrating and at the same time be a great bonding experience and heartwarming.
Tapshot, my 7-year-old OTTB, has endured considerable discomfort. His challenges range from an inability to maintain weight, dealing with an unskilled farrier (whom we don't use anymore), to back and nerve issues, and a racing injury that turned out to be more serious than initially believed. Moreover, he was started so young that he experienced a significant growth spurt within a year.
Ruler, my 16-year-old Appendix, has faced her own set of problems. She underwent stall rest for a month after an emergency visit to the vet and having to drive through a snowstorm, needing almost weekly veterinary visits including a trip to the specialist in Stillwater, battled eye ulcers, and continues to deal with respiratory issues, all on top of a troubled history.
When I acquired these horses, I was aware that nurturing them back to health would require time and patience, yet at times, the process is overwhelming. I've been taught that asking for help is acceptable, but occasionally, I find myself concerned about others' perceptions. I constantly remind myself that the opinions of others are not important. I ask questions to ensure I can provide the best possible care for my horses, even if it occasionally appears that I'm unsure of what I'm doing.
Fortunately, there are specialists in various fields related to horse care, including farriers, chiropractors, dentists, body workers, and saddle fitters, each with their own expertise. I'm grateful to have a highly skilled team of experts to assist me in caring for my two horses, both physically and mentally.
Having friends who are also horse owners is a blessing, we bounce ideas off each other all the time and we share the ups and downs of owning horses.
For those experiencing similar challenges, remember, it's perfectly fine not to have all the answers.
Having a good healthy horse takes a team and I am so grateful for mine.
More to come… (:
