Francis is my 28 year old black Percheron gelding who I completely adore! I adopted him a little over 2 years ago from Pets Alive, a no-kill sanctuary in NY. He worked the streets of NYC as a carriage horse for 12 years and was retired to the sanctuary, but still needed a forever home. Well thank goodness we found each other, because he is one awesome horse!
Despite his struggles with an old right hind deep digital flexor tendon injury, major scar tissue, ringbone, sidebone, and chronic laminitis, he is what I call a SUPERSTAR! He is tough and happy and doesn't complain.
I couldn't wait for his trimmer to see him this morning. You see, 2 months ago he was in so much pain from these chronic issues, I just couldn't seem to bring him back to soundness, despite all of my bag of tricks. His issues have created a cycle of having good days and bad days, but semingly fairly steady for the past 2 years. But the Fall is harder on him. He is pre-cushings and the corisol levels rising can wreak havoc on his metabolic system and he was laminitic despite all I had done for him. Then I tried giving him a supplement comprised of herbs, anti-oxidants and amino acids. After one week of a loading dose, Francis was a new man! His stride improved, his front feet moved fluidly in front of him, AND he was weight bearing on all 4 feet! Something he has not done in forever! That right hind tendon keeps him on the tip toe a lot of the time. So WOW-he is moving like the champion I know he is and bossing Mary around even more than usual and feeling a bit frisky :)
So at least for now we are all very happy with his current condition and improvement and thankful every single day I have with him!
Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses.
She is continually inspired by the beauty of the gardens she lovingly cares for and regularly creates unique herbal blends based on the plants surrounding her home. As with all of our products, only cruelty-free ingredients are used.
In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. www.ferrellhollowfarm.com
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