Miller & Sassy
(Pat Wiggins – Calgary, Alberta)

I owe Marijke both the life of my very special horse, Miller, Sassy, and the continued well-being of our other six horses.

After hearing the devastating news a few years ago that Miller had Cushing’s Disease, I chanced to meet Marijke at Spruce Meadows and I arranged for  an in-depth telephone consultation (long-distance) with her. Marijke taught me that Miller was affected by Metabolic Syndrome which is what most Cushing’s cases are. She showed me the importance of feed and nutrition in managing metabolic conditions and suggested specific feed changes and appropriate supplements and remedies. Miller started to improve almost immediately and continued to get well - today, almost 4 years later, he is still well. I know that Marijke’s knowledge and efforts saved his life.

Having had such wonderful results with Miller I worked with Marijke for Sassy as well. She had become increasingly difficult and unpleasant to work with. She was touchy and cranky, her ears were often pinned back and my reprimands had no effect. A friend even suggested that she was “mean minded” and should be sold. She then also started to have frequent episodes of colic and then became laminitic. I didn’t know where to begin. Marijke began by advising weight loss and formulated a program to balance her hormones (no wonder she was cranky). I began to follow Marijke’s instructions on feed, supplements, homeopathic remedies, and horsekeeping. As well, she advised me to stop stabling her at night and leave her out to encourage constant movement to maximize circulation to the hooves and minimize further damage.

Marijke’s words “in two months she will be a different horse” came true. She lost weight and is now happy, kind, and affectionate. She looks and feels much better. She is indeed, a different horse. Incredibly, the laminitis ceased as well. I’ve also learned that at any time that she does colic it is usually because I am going through an emotional event myself.

One of the things that I most appreciate about Marijke is the fact that I can call her whenever one of our horses is unwell and know that my concerns will be dealt with with the utmost compassion and competence.