That one dreaded word...sarcoids.

Sarcoids are a strain of the BPV virus, a minimal percentage of horses don’t have the immune response to fight it. Essentially causing skin tumors. Flies can help spread them and once they start to multiply in some cases the outcome is horrendous. 

I noticed a few bumps on Bizzie about 12 months ago; nothing I was too worried about but a vet check was my response. Then the vet said that word that no horse owner wants to hear...SARCOIDS. 

Now I’ve dealt with one sarcoid on a previous horse, we treated with Bloodroot and it dropped off pretty quickly. Bizzie is different, there were just too many. When she arrived at Liverpool for laser treatment...they found and removed more than 50 sarcoids. She arrived home, and we started the long road to recovery. 

What they do tell you about laser is it has a reasonable success rate. What they don’t tell you about laser is how awful it is following. 50 sites equates to well over 100 stitches all over Bizzies body. Stitches she was going to keep ripping because she, like me, does not like to be confined for too long. 

We got through it. Until this month, they came back. 

I don’t believe putting Bizzie back through laser is the way forward and I’m not willing to put her through the ordeal again. After some conversations with specialists we’ve decided to give a bespoke Chemotherapy cream a shot. It’s not going to be pretty, but she won’t be confined and she can stay at home where she’s happiest.

I’m also starting her on Spirulina and Echinacea to boost her immune system during the process. 

The only option is to find a solution, I’ll do everything in my being to try and do that for her. 

 I’ll update you soon. 

K  

Work hard to play harder...

You know so much about our horses, but what you don’t know is about us. 

We’re not professionals and by no means do we have enough time to spend with our horses. We spend a significant amount of time at work, we both have pretty big jobs which means that we spend 60/70 hours a week away from home. 

Crazy right?! How on earth do we have time to look after, train and compete six horses?! Honestly...we don’t. 

We work bloody hard Monday to Friday...then we work bloody hard at getting the horses where they need to be. It’s slower than the pros, course it is...but we’re doing it. 

The reason we’re sharing this is because we want to clear a few things up; 

1. Never feel like because you don’t have enough time to spend on your horses that you’ll never get there...you will. 
2. Don’t ever feel like your horse cares if he/she doesn’t meet their ‘potential’ enjoy your horse as your best friend - the rest doesn’t matter. 
3. Your horse should be your fun time, take the pressure off! 
4. Do what you love. 
5. Most importantly - have fun! 

Keep your eye out for part two; we’ll tell you or time saving tips so you can spend more time in the saddle. 

For now, enjoy your neds. 

Keep your dreams alive, because all things are possible for those who believe...