Snickers was a sweet Shetland pony who suffered from insulin resistance and laminitis for many years. She came to us as a ten year old with a history of laminitis. The stockyard manager at a livestock sale noticed this cute little pony and, fearing the killers would get her, called a friend of ours. Our friend picked her up and brought her to us.
For the next eight years Snickers was a real trooper. She packed little children around and patiently stood while they crawled on her and under her! She was our dutiful nanny and disciplinarian for our warmblood foals. All the while she struggled with bouts of laminitis that seemed to come from nowhere. Nothing we did seemed to help for any length of time. We rode the highs and lows with her. Finally the vet said there was nothing else that could be done and suggested we consider putting Snickers down.
In spite of the pain she was suffering, her eyes were bright. The will to live was definitely there. Snickers was not ready to go. I needed to find a way to help her live a happier, healthier life. A neighbor told me about a holistic veterinarian. I made the call. That was the start of a new life for Snickers.
Acupuncture brought her immediate relief. She went from a pony in pain, who preferred to lie down, to a much more comfortable pony, who was willing to stand. Switched from thyroid medicine to core level pituitary, co-enzyme Q10 and a diet that excluded sugars, her pain was managed with homeopathics and she continued to improve. She started shedding her shaggy winter coat every year. Even our equine dentist commented about how healthy Snickers’ gums and teeth had become. Snickers became a happy pony, who would run and buck in the field with the rest of the herd. Holistic medicine turned her life around.
Snickers brought joy into our lives for ten more years. She died at age 28 from complications of colic. Her life is a testimony for holistic veterinary medicine.
Deb Dewey
Donate to the Snickers Fund to support holistic laminitis/insulin resistance research!