Update on Tucker's Allergies

Words really can't express how well Tucker has done, not nearly as much as pictures (as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!), so I will keep the writing to a minimum and let the pictures do all the talking!
Tucker has been on Hilton Herbs for a little more than a year now.
He gets the Bye Bye Itch supplement and I started him on the Echinacea for immune support last month. I use the BBI lotion as needed, and I alternate between Eqyss Medicated shampoo and the HH Coal Tar, Neem and Tea Tree shampoos.
I would say, on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being horrible and 10 meaning his skin is perfect, I would put him at a 7. Which, for this time of year, is amazing. Usually, by July, he would be at a 2. Normally, his midline and sheath are raw. He has no mane and his tail is rubbed out. His face is raw, as are his ears, neck and chest.
As of yesterday, he had some bumps along this sides. They are bug bites, and I would love to find out what kind. Today, the bumps were much less swollen, but you could see where the site of bite/sting is with initially, tiny scabs, but today, just bare spots, if that makes any sense. He has never had these kinds of bumps before, and since we are at a new barn since last summer, they must be some super bug, as they are very large (cherry size) and have a scab in the center. They are sore to the touch.
He has some tiny bare spots along the chest and neck, but they are not sore, or bloody.
The biggest issue is his habronema, which for some unexplainable reason, opened last fall, within weeks of moving to the new barn. I attribute it to being environmentally related and something in his field which has caused it to re-open. It has always closed up in cooler weather, and after being closed for several years, it has been a source of frustration to not be able to close it at all this year, even during the cooler weather. After trying many different medications, including the DMSO/Ivermectin/Fura mixture, to no avail, I am having a small bit of luck with a human ointment for bed sores, made from Manuka honey, mixed with Quest dewormer. Not a huge amount of luck, but there are subtle improvements, more than with any other medicine.
As I was trimming Tucker's mane a few weeks ago, I realized that for the first time in I can't recall how many years, I could actually let his mane grow out! It is full, soft and there are no scabs along the base! Same for his tail...it is full and lush!



Pictures from the past:



What Tucker's face normally looks like in the summer

And what his sheath and belly usually look like by summer



Note the little sores along the legs



Not much of a mane

 

 

 

 

 

Now look at the differences this summer!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A full mane!

 

Some small bare spots, they have not become raw or bloody though



His tail a year ago before Bye Bye Itch

 

Look at that beautiful tail!!!!



His belly on 7/6/13. The bumps are smaller and they have "erupted", but not bloody or raw



His habronema on 7/6/13



My beautiful boy!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Tucker, Hobbs and Goat

I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day of 2012...and I haven't written since the death of Imp in October.
I don't think anyone even reads these, certainly nobody has called, texted or emailed me to ask why I haven't written anything, so sometimes I ask why bother? But why not? At least I read it!
For the handful of people who do follow my blog, here is a brief update:
In November, I was officially hired by Devon-Aire Riding Apparel! This has been a dream of mine, to work again in the equine retail industry, ever since I managed a tack store after high school! My official title is Southeast Account Executive....I never thought I would see the word Executive after my name...and I have 5 states in my territory: Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and South Carolina! I have inherited existing stores, including some really big stores in Atlanta and Florida! The folks at Devon-Aire, which is a family owned business in Tampa, are also putting me in contact with other companies to Represent. As these become finalized, I will announce who they are!
After going to Tampa earlier this month, in which they loaded the Mazda with lots of samples, I will next travel for a week in January to Virgina, to learn from their best salesman. I come home, and then fly out the following week to Philadelphia, for the American Equine Trade Association trade show. I can't wait, as I will have the chance to meet up with some of my potential contacts and will get to meet Hilary Self, of Hilton Herbs! We have corresponded a bit between Tucker's allergies and Imp's cushings. I was pleasantly surprised to see my testimonial is listed on their webpage, at the top of the Bye Bye Itch site: http://hiltonherbsusa.com/products/bye-bye-itch/1284

Tucker has been doing great! While he didn't get too upset at Imp's passing, he does miss her companionship. He shares the fence line with a mare on one side and a naughty pony on the other, who likes to steal his fly masks. I look forward to the day we finally sell our home (it goes back on the market in a month) and buy a farm, and he has another friend to play with, rather than sharing a fence line.

Habronema re-opened

I ride him just about every day and the truth is, there just isn't a bad ride on him. He is so honest, so uncomplicated and so much fun. I look forward to my rides. Jen's boyfriend, Will, is even learning to ride on him!

On the downside, his habronema scar opened a few months ago and it has been hell getting it to close. My vet had me try a new course of treatment, using Quest instead of Ivermectin (3 tubes), about 27ccs of Panalog instead of Fura Ointment, and 3ccs of DMSO, all mixed together. It has actually started working. While it hasn't closed completely, the swelling is almost gone and there is no more bleeding. It has been very puzzling, as this opened after summer had turned into fall, and after 2 years of no issues. He now wears his flyboot everyday and I don't think I will ever take it off, even in the cooler weather.

It is strange being down to just one horse, and we miss Imp something terrible. Her obituary appeared in this weeks Chronicle of the Horse. They forgot to put that she was the 1997 AHSA Intermediate Horse of the Year, but overall, they did a nice job.

After treatment of Panalog, Quest and DMSO

I wish you a Happy New Year with lots of good riding days!

Farewell, Impulsive

Several hearts are breaking today. Mine. Jennifer's. Jane's.
Impulsive has crossed the rainbow bridge.
Imp was a life time horse. A heart horse. A best friend.
It was my priviledge to be her caretaker.



Jen and Imp At Poplar

She was an amazing partner not only for Jen, but to Jane, who took her to the upper levels of eventing. We are forever grateful for Jane's generosity in giving us Imp.


Farewell, Imp. You loved Jen and you took good care of her. You taught her to be the horsewoman she is. You gave me much anxiety as I worried and fretted over you like a good horseshow mom and barn manager should. We miss you.


Her story and how we came to own this beautiful horse is here:

http://www.calypsofarmeventers.blogspot.com/2011/04/it-is-officialimp-is-retired.html






Imp and Jane, AHSA Intermediate Horse of the Year Zone Champion



Jen and Imp sharing peppermints

Jane and Imp

Jane and Imp

Jen and Rachel learning that they are going to Champs in 2004

Jen and Imp at Poplar

Jen and Imp at Rocking Horse

Jen's senior portrait

Kentucky Horse Park

Kentucky Horse Park

Jen and Imp at Kentucky Horse Park

Imp flirting with John Henry at the KHP

Life imitating art, as Imp imitates Secretariat at KHP

Carrots!

Jane and Imp

 

Taking Holiday Orders!

Now is the time to start getting your orders in for
custom equine related gifts!
Orders can be placed by contacting me (Lori) at calypsofarm@embarqmail.com or 407-435-2407
Please allow 3-4 weeks for custom orders.
Please add $7 for shipping and handling.


Stall Name Plates:

Customized with your horses name and photo on slate. Size of slate varies, typical size is 8x6. Names came be painted or "blinged" with crystals.
Painted; $30
Blinged: $35

Fly Bonnets:

Prices start at $45
Swarkovski crystals are utilized.
Please contact for more info and pricing:

 

 

Custom Brushes:
Never misplace your brush in the barn again! Never worry about somebody else "claiming" your brush! Great stocking stuffers! Perfect for barn parties, the pony clubber or your special student!

Custom brush with your photo and name in "bling." Specify hard or soft. $25










Custom brush with stock image and your horses name in "bling." Specify color of horse and whether soft or hard brush. $20

 

 

 

Photography:

Coasters and Trivets

All images, which can be viewed at:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/LoriTankelPhotography/photos

are available for purchase, either as a matted or framed print, or as a coaster or tile.

A selection of the prints on tiles appear below. Coasters and trivets make wonderful hostess gifts.

Coasters and trivets can also be custom made, utilizing your own photo. Contact me for more details.

 

Coasters: $9 each or 2 for $15

Trivets: $14 each

5x7 prints, matted: $15; framed: $30

8x10 prints, matted: $20; framed: $40

cards: $3 each or 2 for $5

 

Rain, Rain and More Rain

Tucker's face looking fabulous! Note all the flood water in backgound.

Since I moved Imp and Tucker back to Nikki's, all it has done is rain. And rain. And rain some more. Not our normal afternoon showers. No. Torrential rain. Like 5 inches in 2 hours rain.
Every day.
I am ready to build an ark.
Of course, the pastures are all flooded.
Nikki is over it. The horses are over it. I am over it. I am sure the deer are over it.
The only ones really enjoying all this rain are the wading birds!
There has been one bright moment to come from all of this rain.
Because the pastures are so flooded, not to mention we are getting middle of the night storms, the horses are on limited turnout. An hour here and there in the morning, and an hour or 2 when Nikki comes home from work. Some days, they just get hand walked.
As a result, Tucker's skin looks...dare I say it...drumroll, please.....AWESOME!!!
Yes, awesome!
After months of fighting summer sores, crusty tummies, itchy and hairless tails and raw manes, his skin is finally getting a reprieve and healing.
Unlike the itty, bitty barn, his stall at Nikki's is large and cool. Having 4 fans blowing on him helps too! Limited turnout really helps.

Neck almost healed

I noticed about 2 weeks ago that he seemed to be doing better...a little bit each day.
Then, last week, I started him on SmartPaks SmartProtect. It is for the immune system and contains such ingredients as grape seed extract and Vitamin's C and E.

Tail regrowing...again!

In the last week, since being on it, his tail has re-grown by over 50% and his skin has dramatically cleared up. He seems less itchy, too.
He had been on the product for only a few days when I was showing Tucker to my friend, Chris. That was when I started to realize the sudden improvements.
I was giddy!
So lessons learned?
First, no more night turnout during the summer.
Once we move to our own farm, this will be easy. Limited turnout in the early AM and again before sunset.
And just as I have always speculated, his allergies have been immune related. I have tried other products in the past, with no success. The formula that SmartProtect uses seems to be the right combination for Tucker and it is working.
I am going to start Imp on the SmartProtect as well.
She has been started on Hilton Herb's Vitex Plus, for Cushing's horses. She simply refuses to eat the Pergolide, no matter how I disguise it. She likes the Vitex Plus and in just a week, she is beginning to shed out...finally. I hope she continues to show improvement on it.

Now all together, lets sing: Rain, Rain, Go Away! Go Out West! We Are Over You!

Painting Barns, Rain and Family

Gosh, I can't believe it has been more than a month since I last blogged.
It seems like so much has happened, that I don't know where to begin!
To start, I moved the horses back to Nikki's. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a blow up between the owner of the little itty barn and myself. It started with a broken water pipe, which I do not dispute was most likely caused by Tucker stepping on. It would have been easy enough to fix, but she didn't know where the shut off valve was and had to call a plumber.
This escalated into an 11:00 PM phone call (first a voice message, which I have saved, and then I returned her call), where she berated me for turning my horses out, saying how cruel it was (mine are currently on night turnout during the summer months and in their stalls with fans on them during the day). She thought it would be more humane to just "lunge and ride them and then put them in their stall."
Seriously.
Explain how I am going to lunge and ride Imp,  my retired 22 year old, who's legs swell after standing around during the day and NEEDS to be out and about, walking.
Exlain how I am going to have a sane and calm Tucker, if he gets no turn out?
She then blamed the erosion around the barn on my horses, and said that I should be maintaining the barn to the level of painting it!
Yes, painting the barn.
Don't let other barns get whiff of this. I can see the ads now:
Stalls for rent. X amount per month. PLUS, you get to paint the barn. And weed. And paint the fences. And then you can paint the house!
Potential boarders should be lining up in droves, don't you think?
I paid to lease the barn for a set amount each month. I picked up the poop around the pastures at least 5 times a week. If something broke, I fixed it. I weeded around the barn and even planted Four O'Clocks around the barn! I kept the barn neat and orderly.
Sorry, painting the barn is not something I should have to do.
I even put an ad on Craigslist for the ever growing mound of manure, which she chose to ignore. I arranged to have some gardners come haul a bit of it away.
Meanwhile, she took my board money and invested none of it back into the barn. Even when she had someone out on 3 different occasions to do yet more work on her pond, she didn't bother having them move some of the poop off the hill.
But I needed to paint the barn.

She mentioned the crazy lady next door. The crazy lady gets to lease that barn in exchange for fixing it up. She doesn't pay board. Lately, that barn is looking somewhat decent, with new paint. Now, my barn owner claims that crazy lady pays board AND paints the barn....so therefore, I should be painting the barn, right? See where this idea came from?
ARG!
Needless to say, I left.
I mucked out the stalls, swept and cleaned, and left the barn in clean order.
Except, I didn't paint the barn.
She did lock the gate to the side field where I kept my jumps. She wouldn't answer the door when I knocked.
So I jumped the fence, and took the little stuff.
She can keep the rotting PVC standards and the rusty barrels.
I am now a rep for US Show Jumping!
www.usshowjumping.com/smart-horse

How cool are these? High Density Polyethylene plastic. They are light weight but have galvinized steel bases so they don't blow over. They are UV resistant, so unlike PVC jumps, they don't disintegrate or fade. The poles are wood encased in the plastic, so they have the weight of traditional wood poles, without the maintenance. No more painting parties! Hooray!
So the horses are at Nikki's for the time.
And of course, the torrential rains begain after I moved there.
Of course.
Tucker's legs are swollen from the standing water.
But the barn is so much cooler and he has multiple fans on him. Initially, his skin allergies took a major nose dive but I think we have things under control. The rain has actually been a blessing to the allergies, because he goes out only for a few hours in the AM and before sunset, then the horses are back in the barn.
Imp, meanwhile, was tested for Cushings and the results came back positive.
Of course, she won't eat the Pergolide, so I put her on Hilton Herbs Vitex Plus and she eats it. It is for Cushing's, so hopefully, we will see some results soon.
Well, that pretty much brings me up to date...oh, yes, proud mother moment here...my daughter Jen graduated last week from the University of South Florida, with a degree in Civil Engineering. It was a proud moment! Two down and one more left....just 2 years of college tuition left!
Happy Riding!