Food as Medicine

I'm amazed at (I know...cliched) " how fast time flies".  It's February 2, 2014-Ground Hog's Day.  It even feels like the I'm living like Bill Murray in the movie Ground Hog's Day.  Everyday is the same; but for me, invariably different.  

After my last post about Buddy, he got sick.  

Very sick.  

He started with an abscess and was lame for a long time and he was in so much pain I wanted to cry for him.  This nasty toxic bubble in his hoof traveled from his left foot to his right foot--just how does that happen?  He was treated with several poultices and sported a silver duct tape hoof (hooves) for weeks.  

 

The pain in his foot was so bad, it took me nearly an hour to walk him out of his stall--movement is necessary to keep circulation going.

The sequence of photos show how sick he became in a few weeks.  He was lying down much of the time; he was hurting so badly.  

I hate nasty, toxic abscesses. 

 

Then one day, I saw lumps all over his body.  I was getting very concerned at this new complication.

Buddy's vet gave him an injection of an antibiotic and cleaned his multiple abscesses that were bursting all over his legs. 

It was horrific.

After three weeks of antibiotics by mouth he was feeling better.

During his illness, I did a lot of research on why and how, etc.  I traced it back to him being put on a popular grain and after researching it, I discovered in it's list of ingredients that besides sugar, this grain has rubber stabilizers in it.  

What??

Why would they put rubber stabilizers in horse feed?

It causes cancer.  Tumors.  Auto-Immune problems.

 His abscesses started right about the same time he was started on this feed.

Many horse owners use this product and I can't say for certain if it caused his auto-immune system to malfunction, but it's my belief, there was a connection.

There's an Ayurvedic proverb that says:

When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.

When diet is correct,

medicine is of no need.

He came back to life.  

He was moving again and seemed to be free of pain.  

The abscesses had all blown and my Buddy was on the mend.

I improved his diet with a natural grain without any toxins in it.

I added herbs and chia seeds.

Garlic powder--although it's said to not be great.. I don't know.  It helps him.

He's on a great supplement and has free-feeding hay and minerals 24/7.

 Buddy has been free of pain and abscess free so far this year of 2014!

Yes!

Trust

It's amazing.  It really happens.  I never thought it would really happen.  My horse and I achieved Join-up today.  So cool.  He chose to be with me--after nearly 30 minutes of running around.   I took him out to the arena to have a chance to loosen up and feel free, rather than being cooped up in his stall.  The turnouts were being irrigated a few days ago and then rain on top of that--crazy horses!  He sassed around with Psyrus and then dished with another Paint further down and then went nuts!  He kicked up his heels and raced from one end of the arena to the other.  After what seemed like an eternity, he slowly ambled across the arena to where I was standing with my back to him and he nuzzled my arm.  He joined me.  It was soooooo amazing.  I rubbed his face and ears and told him he was a good boy and he lowered his head for me to slip on his halter.  I gave him another hug and we peacefully walked back to the barn.   My pony, Buddy.  He told me in his language that he trusted me.  I still get chills when I think about it. 

If Horses Could Talk

I had a conversation, of sorts, with my horse this morning.  

My horse, of course, doesn't talk like the famous Mr. Ed, but he made his point loud and clear.  

Telepathically

To begin, I ran my hands across his body, looking for hot spots.  

I had watched a video on Equine Touch this morning and learned that hot spots meant inflammation and 

pain in the area.

As I'm looking for hot spots I'm also to take notice of twitches and flinching, as I go over areas.

Well, Buddy wasn't a fan of all this nonsense. 

I was able to do a quick scan and didn't find anything much.   

(One needs to get certified to do this. Really? 

Seems like something I could just learn on my own.)

I moved on to preparing for our morning hand walking in the arena.

Buddy has been injured and getting some injections for his sore areas in his hips and back.

Saturday was one such vet visit.

The Rx was to walk him for a few days before riding him again.

Back to the walk.  

I decided to only check his feet-- to be sure there weren't any embedded rocks.

This horse clearly avoided my attempts.  

He wouldn't let me touch his feet. 

I said to Buddy:

"Buddy, what's the deal here?"

I paused for a moment and thought 

"Did he want the whole enchilada?"

The curry comb-the brushing-the massage-and the-then and only then could I do his feet package?

I was not following protocol, according to the Bud.

Alas, I gave him the works after which,

he lifted his feet nicely and we proceeded to the arena.

Mr. B.  

He made his point loud and clear.

Love that horse.

 

He Always Knows

He knows when I'm happy

He knows when I'm comfortable

He knows when I'm confident

and

He always knows when I have carrots.

My horse, Buddy is all about the treats.

The look he is giving me in the photo above, is telling me

I should be giving him the last two treats in my pocket.

I probably shouldn't give him so many treats, but I love seeing him happy.

I actually think I've spoiled him a bit too much and now I'm only rewarding him after a job well done.

Meaning, he didn't let me eat dirt.

Buddy isn't really one to dump his rider, but it's always my fear and it's incredible the amount of anxiety I can muster up

during my drive to the barn.

It's really quite ridiculous considering he's a sweetheart of a horse and is very considerate of me and my fears.

He knows when I'm worked up and tells me with

a snort to start breathing before I pass out.

I've started singing to him when I ride him.  I've heard that singing can calm a horse, but I think it's more to calm the rider.

I don't think he is particularly fond of my songs, however.

I'm still trying to figure out which genre he likes.

I've tried folk songs and classical humming.

I get his attention, but I think he prefers the classical music that I hum.  Which is good because I have to run through my cello music and humming Requiem is perfect.

I give a heartfelt thanks to my Paint for putting up with me

and my crazy fears.

 

"Horses demand authenticity every step of the way..."~Tao of Equus

I see horses.  

I see them everywhere and never tire of the sweet surprise of seeing a horse grazing peacefully

as I come around a tree-lined curve in the road near a farm or the sudden sighting of a rider on the back of a horse,

 walking along side the road 

and 

marvel at how the horse and the rider stay so calm in the middle of what would seem to me,

trouble waiting to happen.

I love to watch them move.

Gracefulness

Power

Always aware.

Did you know

horses are the mirrors 

of our soul?

If you're anxious and try to cover that up with

false happiness,

the horse will know.

And,

he won't let you get away with it.

Linda Kohanov, author of "Riding Between the Worlds,"

states that

horses "feel good, when their riders feel good."

This makes a lot of sense to me.

I've been struggling 

with the idea of not hiding my feelings

when I'm with my horse.

I tend to get nervous before a riding lesson and just couldn't wrap my brain around

how not to "be" nervous.  

And if I am nervous, how do I show him I'm nervous?

Tell him?

So, when I read they "feel good, when their riders feel good", 

it became a simple idea.

I can just have fun and enjoy my ride 

and 

my horse 

will do the same.

Right?

Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return.

I love this place.  

I haven't actually seen it myself, but I asked my sister to look for me and check for cleanliness and overall good condition of the facility.  

She thought it looked great.. 

and 

I totally like the owner of the stables.

I was on the phone talking with her 

for some time, as well as texting and exchanging email.

Interior of Buddy's Stall
(or one like his)

Some Fellow Boarders

Indoor/Outdoor Living

Buddy's New Playground

Buddy is moving on Thursday!  

What a happy horsey I'm going to have.  

I'm flying out to Phoenix to see 

Buddy and help with the move and getting

him settled in.

I feel like I'm taking my teenage kid to live 

in his new dorm for the first time.

I'm excited for him and for me!

I can stop fretting about his well-being.

(photos were sent to me from the owner of the new stables where Buddy lives)

Care, and not fine stables, makes a good horse. - Danish Proverb

I have a horse. 

 If you have been a reader of my Whispering Willows blog,
 you have met my horse, Buddy. 

He is an American Paint--I Be A Bud.
Buddy is a sweet boy.
People that meet him, say he is a cute horse.
I guess that is a good way to describe him, because he isn't a
flashy horse by any means.
But, he is my horse and I think he is fab.

 

I don't want to jump the gun, but I do believe I've found him a new place to call home...

(since I can't keep him in my backyard).  

I won't divulge anything yet, 

but 

I am excited.

I'm so excited, in fact, that I'm flying out to the desert

--next week--

to see him moved

to his new digs.

I will be ever so happy and relieved

when he is secure and happily

munching on green grass and oodles of

fresh hay and alfalfa.

I'll let you know after tonight, 

if this is

going to be the place.

 ❤