LETTERS

Other causes of pain

As a massage therapist and barefoot farrier, I have often encountered horses like the one described in “Signs of Pain” (Consultants, EQUUS 472), who displayed evidence of stiffness and discomfort in his rear legs. Often, I find that I need to adjust the trim to fix a long toe, low heel configuration, and then a massage of the entire horse is needed to return the muscles to health. Don’t discount the simple solutions; over the 23 years of my professional career I’m still amazed at what can be fixed. Candy Giordano Davie, Florida

For the love of Morgans

I am enjoying the series Deb Bennett, PhD, has written on the practically perfect horse: the Morgan (“The Mystery of the Morgan Horse,” Conformation Insights, EQUUS 469, and “The Registered Morgan,” Conformation Insights, EQUUS 471).

I fell in love with the idea of the Morgan horse as a little girl when my mother read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books to me. As a 14-year-old with a part-time job and a few dollars burning in my pocket, I bought an aged horse with a swayback, potbelly, ringworm, thrush and that all-important breeding: Morgan, albeit crossed with Arabian.

We cured the thrush and the ringworm. The old mare carried me everywhere and became well known for doing everything anyone asked of her, from hauling disabled children to running games. When she passed away at 22 years old, I veered into another breed. After a bad tumble left me battered and frightened, I found a 19year-old Morgan mare named Lady Anastasia, who I hoped would be my confidence builder.

I fell in love with a pretty face. After taking Stasia to a friend’s stable so she could work the kinks out of my new horse, she quipped, “You don’t pick the easy ones, do you?” The horse I acquired as a confidence builder made me work for every ounce of confidence and skill I had to relearn.

Stasia’s 31 years old now. She’s one tough cookie---still beautiful, sound as a dollar, gentle with little children, and a firecracker under saddle. If you want to get somewhere without delay, then don’t take the younger horses; take the old mare. It’s a family joke that my teenaged son will still be cleaning Stasia’s stall when he’s 80, because she just keeps going, and going, and going. Karen M. Smith Springfield, Ohio

Regarding “The Registered Morgan” (Conformation Insights, EQUUS 471), I was very disappointed to read a biased report regarding the current standards in the Morgan Horse show ring. Although the breeding standards have resulted in a bigger, more refined horse, the very core of the “Morgan personality” has not changed. I currently have an “old style” Morgan mare. She is beautiful and kind and we love her dearly. We also have numerous “new style” Morgans. They are beautiful and kind and far more than “mere peacocks.” I have so many wonderful Morgan horse stories but I will limit myself to one example.

We recently purchased a 16.3-hand Morgan gelding who did very well at the Morgan Grand Nationals. This horse is beautiful, an amazing mover and, even as competitive as he is, can be ridden safely by my 10-year-old daughter. It is true that he does not come anywhere near the older Morgan standard on size, but he is a poster child for the Morgan mind. Morgans, both old and new style, take care of their riders and have the versatility to give an advanced rider a great ride and a novice rider a safe one.

I understand the author’s nostalgia for past times. I grew up with old style Morgans and love them. However, when I started showing the newer style Morgans, it was just like riding the wonderful mounts I had as a kid. We trail ride our Morgans one day and take them to rated shows the next. LPS The Boogie Man is pictured on page 59 with the comment, “These horses win in parkstyle competition where high knee and hock action and extreme up-headness are at a premium and a more ‘intense’ temperament is a plus.” I would like to point out that this same horse carried a youth Western rider this year at the Morgan Grand Nationals.

I would like to extend the author an invitation to come to my farm and meet some amazing Morgan horses, both old and new style. The things you will find in common among both are their beauty, family-friendly nature and their willingness to please their riders. Linda Braddon, PhD Canton, Georgia

Growing older, going strong

“What to Expect as Your Horse Grows Old” (EQUUS 473) was an excellent overview of the five major health concerns for older horses. On the subject of maintaining weight in older horses, you are right to focus on both the dental health and the feed. I own a small boarding barn, and I was caring for a 21-year-old Thoroughbred who was losing weight over the period of a year. The dentist informed us that he couldn’t effectively chew the performance feed he was being given, even with regular dental care. We eventually settled on a forage-based feed that is easy to chew and can be free-fed without worrying about colic. Over a three-month period this horse put back on the 150 pounds he had lost, and his topline filled out even as the owner kept him in work. He also has not had any more of the mild dehydration colic symptoms he occasionally experienced during the summer months.

Older horses can enjoy healthy lives and still compete if you know how to care for them. Evie Dinkins Powder Springs, Georgia

Rescued from slaughter

The article (“From Sickness to Health,” EQUUS 473) about rescued horses and kill pens was very interesting. I’m glad you are making people aware of what could happen if they send their unwanted horse to auction. I also wanted to let people know that taking on a rescued horse is a tossup: You may get a wonderful horse you can bring back to health, or one who will never be happy or healthy no matter how much you spend.

Over the years I have had two rescue horses. The first was a 17-year-old swaybacked Saddlebred gelding. An acquaintance found him starving in a pasture, and I said I would take him. It took about six months to get his weight up to normal. Murphy was the sweetest, most inquisitive, friendliest horse I have ever had. In spite of his low back, I thought he was beautiful when he trotted around the pasture. He had no health problems until the day he died at 23. He was a joy to own.

My other rescue was another 17-yearold I got from a rescue group, who had purchased her at auction. I was told she had a permanent hind leg injury but was not lame. I didn’t plan to ride her; I just wanted a companion for my Morgan gelding, so I was fine with that. The first month I had her I spent $500 on veterinary bills due to a hoof abscess and an eye infection that could have been treated more easily if caught earlier. And that was just the beginning.