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Strawberry’s Story

 

Strawberry had a rough winter due to a bout of laminitis that started in January. This is a painful inflammatory condition of the laminae, the tissues that connect the hoof wall to the pedal bone in horses. Thankfully, we have an excellent equine veterinarian, Caitlin Campbell, and farrier, Eli Smith. They both stepped up to create the best care situation for Strawberry, which includes a specific diet, special supportive shoes, thyroid support, and other medications. The little one has been confined to a stall with deep bedding for three weeks now and is looking and acting SO MUCH happier! That said, we have a long journey ahead, with continuous evaluation and rehabilitation.

March 6th Update

New Shoes!

Our incredible farrier, Eli Smith, paid Strawberry a visit today.  He was impressed by how sound and pain free she is.  Eli was able to put nail on Freedom Shoes on her front feet. This is a big step in the right direction as she showed no pain from nailing or the concussion of the hammer!

Strawberry’s Rehabilitation

It could still be weeks before Strawberry is allowed to be exercised, except under very specific circumstances. In order to facilitate ‘Strawby’s’ return to work at MVRU as quickly as possible, we would like to send her to Lakeshore Equine Fitness and Rehabilitation (link) in Ellensburg as soon as she gets the thumb’s up. Lakeshore partners with Central Washington Equine Hospital (link) to manage her care to produce the best possible outcome. This would be the most expedient, effective and lowest risk method by which to return Strawberry to soundness and fitness, and her valuable role at MVRU. We are hopeful that one month could be sufficient. The total cost for one month of this approach, including medication, veterinary and farrier consultation and therapy, could be over $3000. Would you consider helping us? We currently have pledges to cover Strawby’s first week at Lakeshore. If you would like to pitch in, feel free to contact Annie B annieb@mvriding.org for more information or donate via PayPal. Be sure to indicate in the notes that your donation is for Strawby’s recovery.

Donate to Strawberry's Recovery

March 15th Update

Thanks to ALL of our generous donors we are over half way to our goal of raising $3000 to ensure Strawby has the best possible care during her recovery and rehabilitation. On Monday, March 10, Annie B, Neva Clark and Ami Jaffe delivered Strawberry to the amazing folks at Lakeshore Equine Fitness and Rehabilitation (link), adjacent to Central Washington Equine Hospital. Of course she was a great traveler and settled right in to her new situation.  She had blood drawn for a Coggins test and full metabolic panel, from which we are awaiting results.The Lakeshore staff reported right away that ‘Strawberry is the most perfect little pony and can stay as long as she wants any time!’  We are so grateful for the thoughtful and knowledgeable horsewomen, caring for our little girl. She is featured in a Lakeshore FaceBook post (link), executing her therapy on the vibration plate and aquatred.

March 27th Update

Strawberry continues to make great progress thanks to Lakeshore Equine Fitness and Rehabilitation (link) and is now trotting in the Eurocizer … which means she will soon be ready to return home, just in time for the start of Spring Session.  With an adjusted diet, daily supplement for insulin regulation, and regular exercise she should be ‘good as new’.  We are SO relieved and grateful for all the care and concern for her.  One more week of rehab and insulin regulation supplement remains to be funded.  We are on the home stretch. You can help us cross the finish line by…

Donating Here!

April 10th Update!

We picked Strawberry up at Lakeshore in Ellensburg on April 4 where we got to see her final workout on the aquatred.  She is working for 30 minutes, a slightly uphill march with the water level above her knees.  She is BUFF and completely sound! Spring Session began April 7th and ‘Strawby’ is back in action, looking and feeling great. Since our laminitis episode, I have heard many laminitis stories of folks who ended up with a crippled horse, or worse, had to put them down.  We are INCREDIBLY grateful that Strawberry’s story turned out differently.  We have many people to thank:  Our own wonderful vet, Caitlin Campbell, and long time genius farrier, Eli Smith; ALL the generous folks who donated money to MVRU on her behalf, allowing us to seek the best possible care;  Jess Hartley and team at Lakeshore Equine Fitness and Rehabilitation; Central Washington Equine Hospital, and the MVRU staff who have cared for her so carefully.  Strawberry will forever remain on a very specific and strict diet and continue to take medication to help regulate her insulin.  Beyond that, she is BACK and better than ever.

August 8th Final Update!

Strawberry is back in action and remains completely sound. She went to a dressage show in July and has been happily hacking with her bestie, Neva Clark in August.