Bleu and Erika – Health Work-Up

The second presentation was a live  demonstration on a horse with unresolved health issues. Using a combination of clinical knowledge and experience, energy testing and medical intuition, Marijke was asked to do a work-up on a horse she had never met before and knew nothing of his health history.

”Bleu” is a 9 year old Thoroughbred Paint X who stands 16 hands. He is a stunning horse with exceptional talent but has been unable to be ridden for several years due to chronic “tying up” problems. Bleu’s symptoms were so severe that even light arena riding would cause severe episodes of shaking, twitching, immobilization, tight muscles, extreme pain and sweating until pools of water would lay underneath him. Erika Kuehnemuth, who is a dressage jumper competitor and trainer and also Bleu’s owner, was eager to find a solution.

During the Farmfair work-up it was discovered that Bleu was unable to metabolize carbohydrates – his kidneys were acidic, his insulin was sluggish, his liver and muscles were unable to convert glycogen (sugar storage) into sugars efficiently, and his muscles were both acidic and high in stored sugars. Bleu is not overweight and is not being fed any type of grain, yet his sensitivity to sugar was so high that he could not tolerate any kind of exertion, since exercise requires the conversion of glycogen into sugar to fuel the muscles.

We were impressed with the number of caring people in the large audience who not only came to meet Bleu after the session but called and emailed later to ensure that Bleu was making progress. Well, we are happy to give you an excellent progress report. Bleu was started on Potassium, 2 Riva’s homeopathic blood sugar formulas, Pro-Colon (probiotics) and creatinine monohydrate for muscle fuel. Now in January 2010 Bleu is trotting poles, cantoring and working out 5-6 times per week. Although he was nervous, quick and a little tight with his first few work-outs  he soon realized that his old fears of painful typing up episodes were unfounded and that he could exercise without consequences. Erika calls him a happy “superstar”. We couldn’t agree more – he’s an amazing horse with a well-deserved recovery.