Natural Horse Care in an Unnatural World

I've done a lot of thinking and research on many topics since my 27-year-old Paint, Kobeejo, underwent colic surgery for a strangulating lipoma last month. Mostly, I have gotten deeper into my already existing research on the horse's most unique digestive tract. The very first thing I wanted to fully look into was the ulcers the hospital discovered my horse had. Every veterinarian and nutritionist, even at Tufts, insisted the way to prevent ulcers was to feed 24/7 free-choice hay/forage, always provide fresh clean water and make sure your horse gets plenty of movement (living outside with a shelter being ideal). I had always learned that, if a horse has this, plus the companionship of other horses even nearby (and no excessive medications such as Bute), they would be good to go. My horse always had all of this! So, why did he develop such severe ulcers? As it turns out, studies show that horses in stressful situations, such as moving to a new barn, being taken away from the...

After Kobeejo colicked (a strangulated lipoma, which is unpredictable and unpreventable) and they also found ulcers in his stomach, I decided I needed to look into this further. I have always been a huge fan of 24/7 forage and no grains (just a ration balancer) and was always taught that this would prevent ulcers in horses. Even at the vet hospital, I asked them "How can a horse on 24/7 free-choice forage get ulcers?" They had no answer. The head of veterinary medicine even said to me, "Everything I would normally tell you, you already do." So, as is my habit, I began to research... a lot! pH Levels in the Stomach: The normal "cut-off" for equine intestinal pH is >4.0. Neutral is 7.0. So 4.0 is acidic. But, in the bottom layer (glandular), pH levels are naturally going to be low because that is where hydrochloric acid is produced and stored. Kobeejo's ulcers are located, typically, in the squamous (upper, or non-glandular) layer of the stomach. ...

When I arrived at the barn today, I noticed Kobeejo just standing in his small paddock (cut down while he recovers from his surgery), which is not normal for him. He's almost always eating when I arrive. I noticed his hay had been picked through but not as much as normal. So, I removed his blankets because it was a hot day (70 degrees, which is very warm for March) and he was a tad sweaty. I decided he needed a walk and grazing, so I took him out and walked him to where the best grass is (this winter has been the warmest on record, with no snow since December). His appetite for grass was normal. I brought him into the barn and put him on the cross ties so I could clean his stall and put him in. My friend Wendy noticed Kobeejo's right knee was swollen. I didn't feel heat in it, but it was observably larger than the left. Also, he was showing some signs of stocking up in his sheath and both hind fetlocks. Wendy mentioned infection and said I should take his temperature...

Today was the big day. Kobeejo came home!! 😀 The hospital people were sad he was leaving, as he was everyone's favorite, but happy he was going home. He was known as "the famous Kobeejo" up there, which is ironic, because when he used to show, he had the moniker. Dr. Minuto, the Resident in charge of Kobeejo, walked out to the trailer with us. As usual, he got right on. Once he was home, he was all wide-eyed with head as high as it would go, ears propped forward. I think he was in awe that he was home. I placed him in his stall and he immediately tried to come back out. He ate no hay on the way back and he was not interested in the hay in his stall. He just wanted to know that he was not the only horse there as all others were outside. He was weaving and anxious, as you can tell by this video . So, I took him outside to see his friends in their paddocks, grazed him for a bit in the field, and once a couple horses came in, I put him back in his stall. He was still a...

Wendy decided to drive me up to see Kobeejo today. She said she missed him. I was grateful not to have to drive as I had a bad night and was too tired to drive far. We left a bit later than I like... around 2:30. Once again, the traffic was not too bad, so we made it in an hour. Before we left, Dr. Minuto called. She said Kobeejo was eating well, and if he maintained this level he could go home Saturday. I was thrilled! Last night, I went up to the barn and filled a hay bag full with the first cut hay he loves, and a smaller one with the second cut. So, I brought all the hay in the net with me and, once in his stall, he immediately dunked his nose into the top of the hay net where I had it open. So I started filling the metal hay bin with his first cut and he was thrilled. Top of pic is his sheath, bottom his front legs. You can see the incision on the right, though the pic is a bit off center. They had removed his bandage so I got a good look at the incision under his belly....

To update Kobeejo's progress: My friend Wendy gives KJ a kiss Though Kobeejo has come through the surgery to remove his lipoma very well, he just doesn't want to eat much. Because he has a cracked tooth, the vet wanted to get in there and check out his mouth as well as do an endoscopy to see his stomach. They found that the cracked tooth was stable, unmoving, but one half caused sharp points that rubbed against his cheek and the other half had points that rubbed against the inside of his mouth or his tongue, which may explain why he was getting hay balled up in the left side of his cheek... he was pushing it over there where it was more comfortable to eat. Also... and this is the surprise factor, they found TWO quarter-sized ulcers in his stomach! Ok, this is a horse that has always had 24/7 free choice hay, grass at times and alfalfa. He should NOT have ulcers. Ulcers are caused when horses do not eat enough forage to buffer all the acid that continually flows throug...