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donna72_uk
Gold Member
England
1123 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Oct 2008 : 8:29:44 PM
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Hi Vera i would love to read the article as well
I bet its a fantastic read You and Dennis have got a great partership |
Donna
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Annette
Platinum Member
England
1551 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2008 : 9:25:52 PM
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Beautifully written Vera, your love for Dennis and what you have done for him is truly amazing. I hope the future for you both is full of red rosettes
Annette |
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Zoe Tyzack
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4047 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2008 : 10:25:07 PM
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Hi Vera
Loved the article and had a little tear in my eye.
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Zoe.x |
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Sheena
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1810 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 07:39:33 AM
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| Fabulous article Vera. How you managed to put what must seem like a lifetimes worth of emotion, inforamtion and action into an informative article amazed me. What was so clear throughout was your complete love and devotion to Dennis - he really is one lucky (was going to say little but that would be silly lol) horse to have an owner like you to see him through all this. Thank You so much for sharing yours and Dennis' story with us all. |
Alicia
     
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 09:56:43 AM
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You lot are making me all emotional!
It might sound sentimental but if you knew him you would know why I've done what I've done. He really does have the most incredible temperament. For instance, even after the vet stuck Dennis with enormous needles straight into his joint without the need for sedation, he still greeted him as a friend. I still get taken aback by the sort of person who calls horses, or any animals for that matter, 'it'. They are living breathing beings with emotions (not human ones!) and instincts. They know who their own special human is and quite frankly I feel sorry for the people who don't experience that bond. Horses have a price - well NOT this one!!
Its not appropriate to post the article here but once I'm back at work I can post the article as I wrote it as long as Admin don't mind. I warn you though - it is rather long!!!
As for the magazine itself, I'm also surprised at how many don't subscribe. It really is very good with articles written by and about fellow AL members, go treat yourself for Christmas!!! |
    
Hampshire |
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lulu
Gold Member
763 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:04:16 AM
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| Please do subscribe to Arabian Mag. it's very good, they also have a web site so you can check out articles on line. |
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pascoe
Gold Member
England
584 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 11:27:13 AM
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Vera, we all know why you did it, YOU LOVE DENNIS, I would like to think that most people on here would give there horse a chance, i know i would and would not even give it a second thought. I dont have children, dont care for them, have never wanted any and will NEVER EVER have any, but in saying that my horses are my children. I would not have a life with out my horses, would find life very hard to live with out them. They greet me in the same way every day, never judge me or have a bad word to say to me, they love me uncondtionaly, with out them (and my mum to) i am nothing. They are my best freinds in the whole world. I feel sorry for people who think or class horses as just an IT, like you say they are living breathing things. I get my little girl home tonight, silly me put her out on loan thinking it was best for her. I have missed her soooo much. The one thing i forgot it what is best for me to, she loves me, and i love her and what is best for both of us is for her to be at home with me.
Vera, if Dennis could speak i know he would say that he is PROUD to have you as HIS MUM and his love is unconditonal.
I hope you both have a very happy long life toghtere :-)
PS sorry about my spelling... xx
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2008 : 6:16:16 PM
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| Haven't opened my magazine yet - looking forward to reading your article Vera |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2008 : 09:01:47 AM
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Hi Vera
Haven't been on line much lately and got my magazine at the beginning of the week so haven't had time to open it yet. I am sure the article is a real tear jerker; a story of love and devotion.
I know how much you love Dennis and how much he loves you. Orashaan not only produced lovely, correct offspring he passed on his incredible temperament to his babies.
I will make time to read your article this weekend.
Barbara |
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2008 : 2:40:22 PM
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| LOL how can you get your magazine and not open it!!! As soon as I find mine on the doormat life stops until I have at least flicked through all the pages! |
Hampshire |
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nicolanapper
Platinum Member
England
4247 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2008 : 8:32:02 PM
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Vera, congratulations, a lovely article,only just got my copy of , amazing how many people dont subscribe though.
Well done to you and Dennis
Nicky |
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Montikka
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2653 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2008 : 10:00:37 AM
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Oh Vera, I realise now just how special Zebedee is!!!
Stunning too!
Would love to see the article, shall also start subscribing to the mag as so many of you recommend it.
Hope you're feeling better |
   
Louise, Warwickshire |
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nikki
Platinum Member
Wales
4384 Posts |
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 3:48:53 PM
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So here it is for those that wanted to see it. It is the article in its raw state - how I wrote it, without editing, or proofing and not exactly as it appeared in the magazine......
For the love of a horse – not just any horse but a horse who is also my friend
After searching the UK high and low I found the perfect horse in Llandysul Wales at Louise Maryon’s Ffos Farm Arabian Stud.
Ecuador is by Orashaan (Maysoun x Orasha) X Ferelith (MA Alisha X Fianza). Dennis, as he is known at home was a 15.1hh, two year old grey gelding, the year was 2002 and after meeting Dennis I knew within a couple of minutes that he was coming home with me. His super friendly and cheeky temperament endeared me to him immediately. He was and is everything that Louise described to me.
He won at the Wales and West ‘C’ Show with Louise as a yearling gelding, I showed him with success at various ‘C’ and county shows in the following years. He was even shown once in hand by Darren Crow, who stepped in when my regular handler was not available!
As he was so well grown at four years old and already 15.3hh, he was backed by Lucinda (Cindy) Sims, a very well known and highly respected AHS panel judge. She spotted his potential immediately and described him as a future HOYS winner. After backing he was then turned away for the winter. As a five year old Cindy rode him to 5th place in his first ridden class at the Wessex Spring show after only 4 weeks schooling.
Cindy commented that he was one of the easiest and most trainable horses she had ever known. A testament to his fantastic temperament. He is a people pleaser and will try his hardest to do what you ask him to do.
In April 2005 I attended a lunging and long lining demonstration with Dennis and the trainer Robert Pickles FBHS, an international trainer in the disciplines of dressage, showjumping and eventing. Robert was so taken with Dennis he became our trainer. Once again he commented on how trainable Dennis was. He described him as talented with expressive paces. I’m pleased to say that Dennis changed Robert’s perception of the Arabian breed.
We continued our successes showing in hand, even gaining a 3rd place in spite of being shown by myself (a major handicap!) at the British National Championship Show in 2005 in the Home Produced Class.
In December 2005 disaster struck, Dennis’s field companion kicked him at point blank range in the shoulder. A couple of months box rest followed and he slowly started to be ridden again. However it became apparent that things were not quite right; Dennis would shorten his stride on the right side when asked for any kind of contact or collection, yet only when wearing a saddle. The vet suspected that he may have broken a rib, more box rest followed and then brought back into work again. The symptoms remained the same with the real mystery being that he was not lame but would shorten his stride on the right when asked to work in an outline. Numerous x-rays revealed nothing so the vet suggested a bone scan. This revealed a ‘hot spot’ within the glenoid cavity of his right shoulder joint. There was nothing else for it but surgery to see what was going on inside.
What follows is an abbreviation of a long and complicated recovery process.
By now it was June 2006. I am extremely fortunate in that my vet practice is one of the leading equine veterinary hospitals in the UK - The Liphook Equine Hospital. My vet Mr David Lloyd, assisted by another two vets, performed the surgery and discovered a subchondral cyst like lesion caused by trauma to the bone within the joint whereby the bone itself had turned to the consistency of crumbly cheese which had to be debrided. With the lesion removed it was now up to Mother Nature.
Dennis was extremely unwell following surgery, which was long and more complicated then originally thought. Later in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) when his catheter was removed Dennis started spurting blood profusely which soaked most of his face (he put his head down), neck, shoulder and entire leg in bright red blood. It took 5-6 hours for Dennis to stop shaking once the bleeding had been stopped, then he was allowed some hay which made him shake alarmingly. It was feared he was coming down with colic as he got very warm and clammy with severe trembling. As Dennis’ main love in life is FOOD I felt that his reaction was entirely due to the fact that he'd had no food for such a long time, and suddenly being able to eat again had made him come over like this. He had a handful of hay which was gone in 5 minutes and half an hour later a little more, and so it continued so that he didn't stuff himself and give himself colic!
Dennis was due to come out of ICU the next day, but developed severe diarrhoea, he made a good job of redecorating the walls. His bloods were taken and regular faecal samples and he was put onto Barrier Nursing. No-one was allowed to touch him apart from the Nurses and myself – and I was given strict instructions not to touch any of the other horses.
To top this off he threw a full on brat attack! He couldn't see what was going on as he was kept behind bars, and being a busy hospital meant that horses were trotted up and down outside his stable. The medication meant he could feel no pain so that was it - all the toys chucked out of the pram. I could tell they thought he was being a typical silly Arabian and I really wanted to say ‘it’s got nothing to do with him being an Arabian, he's just being a brat because he can’t see what was going on!’
He was sedated to stop him damaging himself. He slept it off by snoring- literally.
Hours later David, the vet was doing the rounds just as Dennis decided to blow bubbles in his water bucket, something he does to amuse himself, David thought it was hilarious. A little later Dennis had perked up enough to notice that he had a creamy white thing instead of a tail following him around the stable. He stopped to look at it and discovered that his tail was gone and replaced by something else which he could bite (his tail was bandaged because of the diarrhoea). He walked round and round in circles just like a puppy does chasing its tail. I laughed so much my cheeks hurt.
A week later thankfully his swabs came back negative and the main worry of salmonella poisoning had passed, so he was allowed home to yet more box rest.
I am fortunate in that I live and work close to the yard which made frequent visiting possible. As Dennis’s life revolves around food I visited him at least 5 times a day. I also kept my Shetland Ponies loose in the yard to keep him company.
In July 2006 his joint was medicated with an injection of HYLARTIL™ VET (sodium hyaluronate) which helps horses' joints heal faster. It lubricates joint tissues, reduces friction, alleviates pain and improves joint action. As it is quite expensive it is usually used on performance horses but nothing was too good for Dennis. He also started to have regular sessions with the Equine Physio Jenny Hadland.
At this time, I had printed in , my thanks to everyone who sent their good wishes to Dennis for a speedy recovery. I had been quite overwhelmed with all the messages of support we received, especially through the Arabian Lines Forum – Dennis had become a minor celebrity!
In September 2006 Dennis had masses of x-rays and the vet couldn’t quite believe that the cavity, left behind after debriding the lesion, had completely filled in with new bone. No sign of arthritic changes AT ALL. The joint was again medicated with an injection of Hylartil. The cartilage was still healing so the bad news was two more months of box rest. I became somewhat of an expert in keeping him amused whilst on long term box rest!
In November 2006 he was declared sound by David and Jenny but was still on box rest. Under instructions, I started to take him for walks in hand as well as various stretching exercises and massage. I also treated him with ultrasound and made a worthwhile investment in a muscle stimulator machine. He wore magnetic boots and I should mention that I regularly fed him herbs alongside regular joint supplements.
The next few months we took two steps forward and two steps back, quite literally unlevel, sound, unlevel, sound, unlevel, sound. When sound, he has shown us brilliance hence my perseverance and never giving up hope of riding him again. Throughout all of this his incredible temperament shone through and he never lost his zest for life, another reason for my perseverance and keeping faith.
Then in March 2007 David enthusiastically told me about a brand new gene therapy treatment called IRAP which had until then only been used in human medicine.
A major bonus of the treatment is that it is not a drug as it is made with the bodies own gene's so will not contravene any competition regulations meaning that competition horses can still compete after having the treatment!
As far as I am aware Dennis was the first horse in the country to receive this treatment in his shoulder. The treatment is said to revolutionise the treat of arthritis and although showing no signs of arthritis he had major joint surgery which inevitably damaged the cartilage. This treatment actually stimulates the body to produce new cartilage and the results in other horses have been phenomenal when used in lower limb lameness.
In June 2007, a year after surgery, Dennis was declared sound and work on the long lines began. I can’t begin to describe how we bonded from miles and miles of walking in hand. Something he enjoyed immensely. However I knew things still weren’t quite right with Dennis gait. His movement was restricted, not unsurprisingly, through his right shoulder although the Physio found he had full range of movement and certainly was in no pain. I resigned myself to the fact that Dennis would not be the performance horse that Cindy, Robert and I believed and dreamed he would be. I doubted that he would ever be ridden again.
Jenny suggested a rehabilitation yard called Equine Mechanics, so following an assessment he was booked in to stay for 6 weeks. The results were truly outstanding and unbelievable. Jill Stone had him working correctly within 10 days. She taught him how to move again and use himself properly. He loved every minute of being in work again and after 6 weeks she rode him for the first time - you cannot imagine my delight when he took to it like he had never been away, let alone spent the last 18 months on box rest. I was so delighted that he ended up staying at the rehabilitation yard for three months. After which I regularly took him back for assessments.
With winter approaching we decided that Dennis would not be ridden over the winter but would continue to tick over by working on the long lines. His muscles would strengthen naturally from being turned out in the field and then return to ridden work in the Spring.
The rollercoaster of heartache and tears of the last 18 months were at last behind us and we had a future to look forward to – or did we?
Fate dealt us a very cruel blow when routine x-rays in October 2007 showed the subchondral cyst had returned. My beloved boy was on borrowed time, his joint was medicated again which may prevent it fully forming or just delay it – we just didn’t know. I could not afford to have him operated on again. I was devastated and having spent £35,000 up to that point I had to stop myself remortgaging the house again. I was finally forced to accept that I could not afford to keep up with all his physio, rehabilitation and vet fees. It isn’t about money - it’s about what was best for my friend.
I had no choice but to let him be a pasture pet and see what Mother Nature came up with. We didn't know if he would be Ok for another 6 months or 6 years but one thing for sure was that I would do everything I possibly could. He had spent so much time in the stable that I thought it best to turn him out for the summer and let him be a horse.
Does the story end there …………. NO!
For the last two years Dennis had x-rays taken of his shoulder every 6 months. We may have withdrawn treatment but I still wanted to know what was going on in there so sure enough in April 2008 he was x-rayed again.
April 2008
October 2007
As you can see the cyst is still there but with new and dense bone surrounding it. The best part was that he was sound so the vet told me that whatever I was doing was the right thing and that I should continue doing it. I told him that I hadn’t done anything; Dennis was turned out 24/7 so he told me to continue doing that then!
Everyone was telling me how well Dennis looked that I started to contemplate showing him again. I asked a friend who happens to be an AHS panel judge to look at him and give me her opinion. She told me to show him! So in for a penny, in for a pound I duly entered him at the British National Championships. Having a confidence crises I had Jenny, the Physio, check him over again a few days beforehand and asked yet another judge to look at him the day before his class. All agreed that although not in show condition he looked well so why not!! My main worry was that people would be unkind about him without knowing his story and knowing what a truly incredible horse he is.
I was a nervous wreck the day of his class. As he was living out he was not clipped, trimmed, primped or preened and was literally straight out of the field. I wouldn’t mind betting none of the others were as au-naturel. A bath and some gloss on his face and he was ready.
He made me so proud; he trotted all the way around the huge ring completely sound, with a pleased look on his face. Whilst all around him were whirled and twirled he looked at them as if to say ‘What are you doing’, I loved him even more then ever before at the very moment.
He held his own in what was a very strong class of 18 entries forward and although unplaced he was sound unlike some of the others!!
Dennis has given me so much to hope for and already fulfilled many dreams and ambitions. We may not fulfil our full potential but I really don't mind. Then again Mother Nature is a funny thing and he still has youth on his side. He is my dream horse and has allowed me to dare to dream. For example, I never dreamt that I would have a horse placed at the British National Championships let alone winning a bronze medal the UK International at Towerlands. He's been 1st in good company and he's been last in good company but do you know the best bit, he's my friend and I love him no matter what.
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Hampshire |
Edited by - Vera on 28 Oct 2008 6:46:58 PM |
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TC
Gold Member
Scotland
621 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 4:18:16 PM
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| Fantastic to read Well done to all involved.Dennis is a lucky boy and you were both obviously meant to be together.Wishing you continued success in the future and looking forward to photos of his first ridden show after all youve been through together. |
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clio
Gold Member
Wales
614 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 4:24:01 PM
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Such a wonderfull story Vera thank you for shareing it
How is Dennis now ? getting better every day i hope. |
   
*~* Crossleys RainDancer *~* *~* Ora El Masra*~* *~*Diesel*~*
www.riddenarabgroupwales.co.uk |
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Merlot
Platinum Member
England
3260 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 4:25:23 PM
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| How lovely to finally be able to read this Vera. So so pleased for you both, and dare to dream, you deserve it. |
 photo by Eric G Jones |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 4:39:21 PM
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| thanks for sharing this Vera. Keep dreaming Vera. one day...... |
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 4:41:03 PM
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Vera, I have followed yours and Dennis' story from afar (as I do not know you) but seeing it all written down in one-piece has brought tears to my eyes!! What a truly special pair you are! I hope beyond all hope that Dennis continues to improve and you have many more special moments together!
I haven't been through anything like what you have been through, but I think I feel the same way about Pasha and even seeing him getting older makes me cry - what a soppy old mare I am!! BUT as your story so eloquently puts it, these are not just horses, they are our friends and our family and we should treasure every moment with them xx |
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kath
Gold Member
United Kingdom
943 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 5:34:30 PM
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| Vera, although i knew Dennis had been ill i had never realised till we got (this was our first issue on subsciption!) just what you two had been through. I dont know how you managed it, all i can say is Dennis is one very lucky - and obviously special - boy. How is he now? |
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sarah_and_sert
Silver Member
Wales
298 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 6:14:55 PM
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| thats a lovely story, thank you so much for sharing |
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LastSerenade
Bronze Member
England
195 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 6:39:51 PM
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I loved your article on Dennis, it shows love and a lot of determination.
I did do the daft thing of giving it to my mum though going that Dennis off AL lol.. she doesn't use computers (At her age!? lmao) so she didn't have a clue who I meant 
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Edited by - LastSerenade on 27 Oct 2008 6:40:28 PM |
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paul_exe
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2022 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 7:07:09 PM
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What a story you both have to tell V.... Yes I agree Dennis is a horse of a lifetime, and so pleased you have found each other.
Long may Dennis continue to improve..
Paul xXx |
     
Get over yourself: You breathe, you fart, what makes you different?
Gloriously Sunny Devon |
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Holly
Gold Member
England
529 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 7:23:55 PM
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Vera thanks for sharing your emotional story....like you said let nature do its bit now it works in weird and mysterious ways.
Good luck
xxxxx |
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Jilly
Platinum Member
England
2431 Posts |
Posted - 27 Oct 2008 : 7:39:35 PM
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Thanks for posting the article Vera, I don't subscribe so I would have missed it.
I echo what others have said, Dennis is indeed a very lucky boy. |
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