Simon is a 20 year old Pony

Diagnosis: Cushings, Laminitis  and IR

Human Companion: Anne Carter Jones

Location: North Carolina

Taken from an email to Lisa St.John from Anne Carter Jones

September 23, 2009

Simon is my Cushings, Insulin Resistant  , 20 year old horse, Laminitis risk Large Pony.   Simon is actually experiencing an episode of Laminits right now.  He is sore for some reason, he’s definitely not like he was last month.

All of the treatments I’ve been taught in my experience for laminits has made him improve, but I fear of the return of symptoms, the pain and the possibility of severe acute repercussions.  Obviously, I haven’t found a sure, or I wouldn’t contact you.

I need your help.  I need your advise immediately, and would rather pay you right now than pay the vet for advise I already know, but that has not produced lasting results.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience.  Thank you very much.

AC Jones

Simon was on regular doses of  Pergolide and joint supplements and kept off grass.

Simon began his diet of fresh whole foods and his herbal blend designed and prescribed by Lisa for his condition on October 12, 2009.

Simon  was taken off the Pergolide  on Oct 26,2009 and taken off his joint supplements on October 19,2009.

Simon – picture taken  October 24, 2009

October 29,2009

I find Simon is undoubtedly brighter in interest and expression.  His coat quality is softer and has a deep, richer color.  He shines.  Two days ago, I rode nd he felt wonderful. Now it had rained non-stop and he’s had two days off with hardly any exercise except for turn-out in a sacrifice paddock.  (I can’t let the herd destroy my small pasture area when the ground is wet.)

I’ve noticed the last several days, when I have groomed him, he’s been much less sensitive.  He doesn’t seem to object to being brushed nearly as much and hardly shows any  negative reaction, even when I brush under his belly and at the girth area.

I wanted to groom him, and he was really happy with it, but he was in his stall eating hay at the same time, so I was glad he was comfortable with it.

November 11, 2009

Sunday November 8th, 2009 Simon and I were entered in a 6-8 mile Hunter Pace ( in the slow pace division)  and Simon was so excited and full of life.   It was great to have him feel so good, but he was the leader of our team and still wanted to gallop the entire time.  My teammates, both being timid, didn’t want to go any faster than a trot, so I let Simon extend his trot to the point that two 16.1 + hand horses behind me had to canter to catch up (don’t forget that Simon is a pony)  Below find pictures at the hunter pace, and pictures I took of him on Monday noght, because I was so impressed with how he looked and felt the following day!

Let me tell you more about the hunter pace experience.  When we got finished, Simon was completely fresh and ready to do it all over again…he kept staring out into the woods where we’d begun the ride earlier.  I pulled his tack off, got him water and hay, covered him with a cooler, and then went to grab what was left of lunch.  When we got back to the trailer, I wrapped his legs which looked great in spite of some dried sweat marks which had run down the inside of his back legs.  Then we packed to haul the 2 and 1/2 hr trip back home.

As soon as we got home, I decided to clean him up in his stall and scrubbed his sweat marks off with a soft jelly scrubber and he happily ate his hay the whole time.  His ears were up and he was happy.. he didn’t bite at the air or cross ties (he was loose)  he didn’t even give me a dirty look when I curried his girth area and right shoulder!  He wasn’t hurting or sore!.. He  used to be grumpy about being groomed before he was ridden.

I see such good things going on and I am so happy for Simon.  This is not easy for me, or for my budget, but it is worth it to see the transformation..I was concerned about his stifles on Sunday, but he wasn’t nearly as sensitive to the touch in that area on Monday.  It’s amazing the difference in these pictures compared to the pictures took just 12 days ago.

I can’t begin to thank you enough.

Anne

Pictures of Simon and Anne at the show Sunday November 8, 2009

Simon on Monday November 9 ,2009