Our Success Story!
‘OUR COURSE OF ACTION'

Background and History:

Glacier is a Thoroughbred gelding. His main discipline is Hunters. Glacier was purchased for Hunters. Several months, maybe a year into the purchase, lameness behind and a general decline in his condition - including loss of his topline was noticed. We were told he showed a grade 2 - 3 lameness in his right hind.

After much testing, he was diagnosed positive for EPM. He was shipped to us August 2001.

Upon arrival, we immediately noticed his symptoms. Two of our big Thoroughbred horses also seemed to notice and took to taking care of him right away. Glacier was turned out on our acreage with them, and they would walk side by side, barrel to barrel with him in the middle, as almost to support him. They traversed everywhere with him, including feeding time. It was amazing watching this. During playtime in late fall of 2001, we actually experienced Glacier take a fall. It was awful, but he got right up and rejoined the herd. His two buddies were not far from him ever.

We put him on 1 -cup daily of Colloidal Silver - generated at 80% - which we made ourselves. While we had been told that the Silver water would possibly cure him, we hoped that at best it would at least keep the protozoa at bay..... it seemed to do this much. Testing was done on hair samples. It showed his liver and kidneys were becoming toxic. We used some herbs to boost his immune system and cleanse his liver and kidneys. Glacier was also put on daily supplements; like Natural Glo, aka Satin Finish (here in our area), and Grostrong, mixed with small amounts of grain and alfalfa and molasses. We also used beet pulp to warm him up in the wintertime.

During the first months, we encouraged normal movement, grazing pattern's, and scattered feeding so he would have to move around without speed or stress. Part of his rehab was to make sure he did not become idle. That would be his enemy as his muscles were likely to atrophy worse. One symptom we noticed was that he seemed unsure as to where he was putting his feet down. Not really and incoordination issue as much as he seemed a bit stressed with where his feet landed. He also seemed spooky and shocky acting. We followed up then with a visit with the horse chiropractor as well, and fit him with the best eventer shoes we could - taking him to the Amish community for this particular shoeing. We wanted to assure the most correct angles and balanced shoeing possible.

Medication:

August of 2001, Bayer announced the release of the long sought after, "Ponazuril", Marquis trade name. In November, we spoke with many different vet clinics, and professionals about the success of this brand new drug. After six months on the market and what seemed a huge successful elimination of the protozoa, we felt comfortable with the progress of the new meds' and decided to administer it to Glacier.

The Ponazuril is expensive. It costs roughly $540.+ shipping for a 28 day supply. It is given like a paste wormer, but comes in a much larger syringe, holding enough for a 1200 lb horse for seven days. We received four of these syringes. A difference in Glacier was noticeable in about 20 days after first administration. He seemed brighter, and not as spooky or frightened looking, but the most noticeable sign was that the two other horses that seem to guard him constantly, were not. Many times Glacier was seen off down in a pasture by himself, grazing. His step was a bit more sure, even though you could still see his stride behind right, a bit hindered. It was as if he ‘ just felt better ‘. Glacier continued to stay on his Silver water throughout, and has for exactly one year to this August 2003.

Rehabilitation - time and patience:

After the med's, we are now in a full rehabilitation period of bringing Glacier back to his old self, as much as possible. Many, many hours have been spent bringing him along. Since his illness, medication, and as part of his rehab, "Glacier" has recently won 'FIVE 'BLUES', at a WSH ‘B' Rated H/J show with Cassie. Three under saddle classes and two over fence classes. By the third class I was in tears...... Cassie and Glacier also teamed up to do our local Deer Park Fair event. Out of 8 classes, they won 'SEVEN GRAND CHAMPIONS', and even tried their hand at a Western Pleasure/Equitation class or two for fun. It was a wonderful community event, allowing us to put up educational posters/displays, display and thank Bayer for their wonderful Ponazuril, trade name; "Marquis", and most of all, try to educate people to the best of our ability and to share our experiences on EPM.

An EPM horse, even once cured of the protozoa, is still classified as an unsoundness and therefore, Glacier will live with us always, regardless. Also these horses have gone through a stressful illness and many of them, less fortunate than Glacier, have struggled with their EPM disease being much more debilitating to them. Sadly, there will probably be horses that do not recover fully to their old selves - even after treatment because of the damage done to the nervous system by the protozoa. With the medicine at least they have a fighting chance....... I am glad we took that chance......

Glacier is one of the fortunate one's.
'Ponazuril' can kill the protozoa,
but it is up to the owner to do the rehab work throughout...

Glacier in the "middle" of his two friends.