Scottie's Story

I have a beautiful “reining” quarter horse named “Scottie”. We compete at the NRHA and have won numerous awards including placing 7th in the top 10 for Canada – all in our first year!

At the end of 2006 I pulled Scottie’s shoes to give him time off. He wintered well in a large turn-out paddock with a 20 X 14 run-in stall. Then spring came and we cut the first crop of grass hay. As a treat I gave all of my horses, including Scottie, a small armful of fresh grass which he ate as if it was candy! I was in shock when twenty-four hours later Scottie’s feet were so sore he was no longer able to walk. I panicked – my dreams for a successful upcoming show year were over and I wasn’t sure if he’d ever be sound again. He had heat in all four hooves and a strong digital pulse. And why? Could an armful of grass have foundered him permanently………none of the other horses reacted to the grass treat……

But let me tell you why I was so afraid. I once had a dressage gelding named “Nigel” whom I loved very deeply. He was 12 years old when he experienced his first laminitic episode – this time induced by a simple hay change. I had my vets examine him, X-ray him, nerve block him, and had his X-rays sent to top veterinary clinics in the USA to find some answers. Nothing could be done to help him. I was advised to give him stall rest, cold hosing and “Bute”. It wasn’t long before he couldn’t even walk out of his stall and into a paddock and I could barely force myself to go into the barn in the morning as I couldn’t stand to see him in so much pain. My veterinarian advised me to euthanize him as the prognosis was poor.

What a blow! My perfect horse and partner of 10 years………but I couldn’t stand to see the pain anymore. The date and time was set.  Nigel fought the euthanasia and wanted to stay with me. I wanted to change my decision so badly, but it was too late!

Was I going to go through this again, this time with Scottie? I said no to myself, and called Marijke to come and see him. As an Equine Health and Nutrition Specialist, Marijke’s approach was entirely different. She explained that Scottie had a “leaky gut” induced by recent years of what was considered “quality” care on the show circuit including regular and frequent chemical dewormings and several prescriptions of antibiotics. Scottie’s hindgut was high in mal-digested feed material, yeast and pathogenic bacteria and low in beneficial bacteria. She also felt that this toxic condition of the hindgut was contributing more to his soreness than was any laminitic damage. That was good news! So we set him up on a colon cleansing program, and Marijke said to make sure he was left outside with room to move, gentle daily walks and no “Bute”. This was different from any route I had ever taken! She also recommended a trim done by a barefoot trimming specialist to ensure balance, good circulation, and optimum hoof mechanism.

After a few days, Scottie was walking better than ever. He was much improved however one month later I found that Scottie’s lameness would come in waves. One day he was running and bucking with no signs of soreness and I would be out of my mind with excitement calling Marijke right away to let her know, and then the next day he would be back down and sore with heat again in all four feet and a noticeable digital pulse. Marijke said that these inconsistencies can be normal with detoxification but she wanted to see him again. This time she said he had developed an allergy to his hay and insisted on an immediate hay change which I did the very next day. Within 32 hours he was 100% sound! I now ride him 5 days a week and he won several of his classes at his first AQHA show.

I only wish that I could have given Nigel the same care but what I have gone through has shown me another way that I can now share to help other horse owners.

- Mandy Blais