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GINGER: 22-year-old Quarter Horse Mare
Ginger is a sweet mare that was on a feedlot waiting to be sent to slaughter in Canada.
She is a stocky girl - 15 hands and about 1100 lbs.
Ginger has equine Cushing's Disease (similar to Diabetes in
humans). The disease is
caused by a small benign tumor on the pituitary gland in the brain. Cushing's
is usually
found in horses in their mid-teens and 20's. Symptoms are a long curly coat, and a
tendency to founder if hoof care and diet are not managed.
In Ginger's case, it is not
difficult to manage.
Her rehabilitation consisted of regular
hoof trims, controlling her diet by keeping her off of
all grain and sweet feed), and
getting her vitamin/mineral supplementation balanced.
This picture was taken on a day when we decided to see how Ginger
would
behave while being ridden. She still has quite a bit of
spunk, but she was willing
to give a pony ride to an inexperienced rider.
Ahhh, the joys of f Spring!
Now, this is one contented horse. Ginger was doing
her sun lizard
imitation and soaking up all the rays she could in early
Spring. I
walked by and took several pictures, and she never even
twitched.
I have done some further evaluation of Ginger under saddle, and I could not
imagine
being happier! Ginger is very well trained. She is
also very light to cues and rein. She sidepasses, backs, and even did a
good rendition of a roll back.
As you can see, I was riding in a halter and lead rope made into reins.
She is very sensitive
and soft to the rein. I'm planning to try her out in a snaffle bit next,
and see how she responds in a bridle. She is a really FUN ride!
Stay tuned for Ginger's next
update: She is ready for a new home, and has made an AMAZING
physical transformation.......
in fact, you will hardly even recognize her!
Well...................here is the new and improved Ginger!
Ginger is now available to go to a forever home. While Cushing's Disease is something
that will never be completely cured (like Diabetes),
it is very manageable and horses like Ginger can still have a very good quality
of life with many good years left. This is what I hope for Ginger.
Update August, 2007: My niece came to visit for the
weekend, and wanted to ride a horse. Ginger was chosen, and Kristie got to
experience Ginger's
super smooth trot. I think they look pretty good together. :)
Copyright 2007 Sunny Acres Ranch. All rights reserved.
