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"I want to tell you a little story. I have an Arabian mare that is my ‘horse soul-mate’. I have had her since she was nine-years old, and over the last 11-and-a-half years, we have shared many experiences; we have participated in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Parade on national television (1997), we have participated in Arizona’s Parada del Sol twice, and we have also participated in many other parades, as well as numerous rodeo grand entries, throughout Arizona over the years. Rahima Bint Rolo, aka Mija, was even the ‘teacher’ to a handful of cub scouts as they worked on their horsemanship badge.
In the summer of 2004, at the age of 18, Mija was stricken with West Nile Virus. A talented team of veterinarians worked on her for hours, filling her full of steroids and other medications. Two weeks, and twice-daily doses of steroids later, Mija began to rebound from WNV. Unfortunately, and as predicted by the veterinarian in charge of Mija’s case, she foundered…severely. Rotation occurred; 3% in her LF and 5% in her RF. She was so lame she could barely move. It was suggested that IF she recovered, she would always be lame. I could see in her eyes that Mija was not ready to call it quits, so we began the battle toward recovery.
Three different farriers, one a Certified Master Farrier, worked on her over the next two-and-a-half years. Heart-bar shoes were tried, regular shoes with TheraFlex pads were tried, barefoot trimming at every-four week intervals was tried…. dietary changes to lower the protein intake, hoof supplements…
Each new method brought some improvement, but it was obvious that the neurological and physical damage to Mija’s front feet would never be totally corrected. At best, she could run and play in a sand arena or round pen…to move on any other surface only caused her pain. I couldn’t even ‘pony her’ around the stable or out on the trail, while riding my Quarter Horse colt, Doc.
You could see that Mija was not the same. She was mildly depressed… her ‘human’ was no longer riding her (she always loved being rode, and being the center of attention), although she was getting groomed and turned out regularly. She never lacked for love or care…but you could see that she missed being worked.
I had heard about Old Mac boots years ago, on a horse forum that I had been visiting over the years. Old Mac boots never crossed my mind as a part of Mija’s therapy, until a friend’s horse got laminitis, and was having to tape pads to his soles (per his vet) to bring his horse comfort during recovery. My friend wanted a better solution, and it was then that I remembered Old Mac boots, and I told my friend everything that I had heard about them. I suggested to him that he get his horse a pair, and at that moment, I decided that I had tried everything…so I had nothing to lose by getting a pair of Old Mac’s for Mija as well.
The boots arrived a few days ago, and I put them on Mija for the first time tonight (12/4/2006). Her first few steps were cautious…she was so used to hurting at every step, on every little pebble…but after five minutes, she seemed to realize that her feet didn’t hurt, and she began to step out with more confidence. I continued to lead her, by halter and line, around the stable where I board, for a few more moments. Encouraged by what I saw, I lead Mija to a mounting block, and slid up on her back. She looked around at me, as if to say “Okay! Where to Mom?” I rode her around the stable…across gravel, asphalt, and sand…for about twenty minutes…. and never once did she take a bad step or falter. When I finally dismounted in front of her stall, she looked around at me, as if to say, “Are we through? Is that ALL??” She actually seemed reluctant to go to bed….
That is the first time in two-and-a-half years that I have rode her or led her without her showing ANY discomfort on any surface other than deep sand…and I can ONLY credit this to her Old Mac boots. I know that this is not a cure…she was “ouchy” the minute they came off, but Old Mac boots gave my equine soul mate her ‘self-esteem’, and her life, back. Words cannot express my happiness! I now see MANY more rides together again in our future…thanks to Old Mac boots.
By the way, Mija will be 21-years-old in March 2007.
Thank you for an outstanding product! I am SO VERY SURE that my Mija thanks you too!"
- Debra L. Weiss and Rahima Bint Rolo (Mija) |
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