Green Mountain
Draft Horse Association
of Vermont
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Newsletter
Life with Honey...(continued) He said I had caught “it” early . . . she had laminitis. Her second attack occurred on Thanksgiving day. The months since the first attack have been a journey that I would like to share with you . . . . Some history might help you understand how much this horse means to me. I adopted Honey when she was 6-months old – I picked her out of 92 foals that had come down from the PMU farms in Manitoba Canada. She was a scrawny sorrel with a flaxen mane & tail, a huge white blaze (almost bald) with dark chocolate brown eyes that said “take me”. The number “64” had been shaved onto her side. She certainly wasn’t the cutest one of the bunch – but there was just something about her. We turned our wood shed into a stall for her – put up some metal panels and we had our first “barn”. We brought her home on Oct 3, 2003. She was my first horse . . . my first experience at 24-hour a day horse keeping. I had been a trail guide at a ranch in San Diego for 10+ years – but could never afford to own a horse in California. Honey taught me everything I know about horse keeping and then some! My husband and I read books, watched RFD-TV, hired trainers, just spent time with her . . . . we have come a long way in the more than 4 years that we have owned her. Along the way, we also bought her a buddy, Apollo, a 12-year old Percheron gelding that taught her horse manners and a third buddy named “Bubba Roan” a 3-yr old red roan Belgian. We finally built a real barn. Honey was started in harness – ground driven and started under saddle – all done with a calmness and ease that only the draft part of her could be providing. Along the way, as various people entered her life, from the vet, the farrier, the trainers, etc., they would comment that she was “large”, “big”, etc. I would always rationalize, “she’s part draft”, “she’s big boned”, “she’s still growing”, etc. – I always had an excuse. My shame, guilt and stupidity at not having listened to these warning comments still haunt me and bring me to my present situation. I understand the unwritten “law” of not making comments about other peoples horses . . . in hindsight I wish I had listened and done something about her weight. My beautiful mare is now on chromium, I soak her hay in the am & pm to decrease the carbs, and she gets her bute twice a day. She struggles to stand when I go up in the morning to feed her . . . my sweet horse pins her ears when I put her halter on to give her the paste bute - it breaks my heart to see her like this . . . my tears freeze on my face. The x-rays that were done told the truth of 4% rotation in her front left hoof and 2% rotation in her right front hoof. My farrier is now coming out every 3-4 weeks to trim and help relieve some of the pressure. Today is January 2, 2008 and my Honey is slowly improving . . . she trotted to me on Christmas and whinnied like she used to when she sees me coming to the barn. I share this story with you . . . only to hope that it will help someone else in the same situation to heed those little comments and take some action and avoid what I have gone through with my horse. I was told by my vet if I can get one year under our belts without any more attacks then we will be doing good. So, that is my goal . . . . anyone who wants a supportive ear with their laminitic horse . . . I am more than happy to hear from you. My home # is (802) 453-6466. Submitted By: Suzanne Peterson, New Haven, VT
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