I have practiced veterinary medicine focusing on horses for the past 19 years, but for the past 8, I have seen things differently in respects to preventing, controlling and managing many health conditions in our patients. I have seen the impact of proper nutrition on performance, overall health and recovery. This wasn't always apparent to me and to be honest, I admit that I was blind sided for much of my career falling prey to marketing from nutritional feed companies and pressure from my peers to use pharmaceuticals. The truth always comes out and we have seen this in the countless horses we have helped to recover over the past decade. As a side hobby, we have taken in horses either via rescue or donation, often with injuries that have left their owners financially strapped, but have helped them turn the corner using our formulas along with nutrition. Seeing these results, we wanted to do more.
In 2014, we have officially started our Handi-Capp Equine Rehabilitation & Relocation program, in which we take on horses that have sustained what were originally perceived as career ending injuries. Many of these horses come to us fresh off of the track with tendon problems, joint degeneration and even fractures as a result of the increased stress they have sustained. Our hope is to change their level of nutrition and use targeted herbal therapy to combat many cellular pathways that are involved. Our program is quite simple, steering clear of processed equine feeds and focusing on whole grains and high quality hay, in addition to herbal formulas to manage inflammation and provide natural sources of vital nutrients. We are not a rescue but offer help to those horses that are in need or to assist other equine rescues with the recovery of their residents with hopes of finding them new homes. There are so many injured horses out there that deserve a fighting chance, but are often overlooked. The way I see it is that we all have injuries, the question is whether or not they hold us back. Most horses will not pass a pre-purchase examination, but visibly are doing well under saddle, actually better than before, but are pushed to the side as lacking potential. If we think about it, one prime example of potential is Peyton Manning, whom was sidelined from the Colts for recurrent injuries. He'd never pass a pre-purchase exam, but yet, the Broncos gave him a chance. Does he have injuries or damage? Yes, but look at the potential that he clearly demonstrates. The same can be said for these horses.
It is incredible to me, as a veterinarian, to see the daily changes in these horses. In the past, I have only had the luxury of seeing them maybe at monthly intervals for re-checks, but now I see them daily. In some cases, the changes can be almost overnight. Tendon problems seem more manageable and chronic pain more controlled. In many instances, these horses are often back under saddle within 1-2 weeks and on their way to a new career, when in the past they were pasture retired due to injury. It is neat to see for sure, but it goes to show that we have much to learn in terms of disease prevention and condition management not only for horses, but us as well.
Hopefully, in the end, we can help some horses recover and bring some new management techniques to the world of prevention so that just maybe we can keep these conditions from occurring in the first place. There are many options and possibilities out there, we just have to acknowledge and implement them.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
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