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COYOTE: 14.1hh 18yr old Connemara
Coyote has suffered with his feet for years, he is prone to laminitis and has severe pedal bone rotations in both front feet. We decided to remove his shoes as he was always in pain after being shod, so we found a farrier here in France who specialised in barefoot horses but Coyote improved only a little. Still not happy with the results we were getting, we luckily found Lesley and Gareth. Although we are a very long way from where they live they took us on as clients and Coyote has improved immensley. After the first trim he walked off with a spring in his step, he is no longer sore after being trimmed and we are slowly bringing him back into work. Gareth and Lesley have been extremely informative, recommending aftercare in between visits and ideas on how to improve his management. Gareth also trims our other 4 horses and helps them all in individual ways to improve their feet, recommending different rehabilitation programmes depending on the horses needs.
Coyote has also suffered with painful, sore muscles and swelling of the hindlimbs, all connected to the founder, and has had some bodywork sessions from Lesley. Before the first session he would try to bite you when his neck and shoulders were groomed but after Lesley worked on him he hasn't tried biting anymore and enjoys being groomed. He had a second session after a hindleg lameness which was giving him filled legs. During this session Coyote was so relaxed that he lay down and shortly afterwards he stopped getting filled legs, and hasn't had a problem since.
We have also had Lesley for bodywork when we bought a new horse, just to give him a check over and to make sure he had no sore spots, which he did have but if we hadn't had the bodywork we would never have known. We feel very lucky to have Lesley and Gareth looking after our horses, they are both extremely knowledgable, patient and brilliant with the horses and we know if we ever have a problem we can contact them for advice
(Lynsey in France)
Coyote immediately after a combination of myofascial release & Equine Touch
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Postscript from Lesley: Coyote is a model patient, he's wanting to relax before I even start and gives me textbook reactions to everything I do! He yawns and sighs and does some pretty impressive stretches almost on cue. He's an absolute joy to work with and I'm so glad he has responded so positively to treatment on areas that have bothered him for a long time.
Its made Gareth's job easier too; Coyote used to wrinkle his muzzle and look decidedly uncomfortable having the flare done on his right fore. His shoulder seemed almost welded to his side and after working on it with myofascial release, he finds it much easier now to have his front feet trimmed. A really lovely pony enjoying a new lease of life!
Trimming: Thank you for the evaluation forms, I'm impressed! The boys are very happy with their feet, they both together came in a great looking gallop towards me this afternoon.... Wilma in France
Trimming & Equine Touch: I am amazed at the difference in him, out in the field he is a totally different horse. He welcomed me with a whinny and came galloping up the field to see me this morning, something he hasn't done in ages. He trotted up and down the fence while I was putting hay out and was sounder then I have seen him in ages. He seemed so much more happy and comfortable. Thank You for the wonderful job you have done.... Leanne in UK
Trimming: I just wanted to say thanks for doing such a fantastic trim on my horses' feet, I don't think I expressed my appreciation enough at the time - you really did a super job, especially considering how exhausted you must have been!! It was inspiring to see how meticulous you were with the flare.... Katherine in South Africa
To see some barefoot horses in motion that are all trimmed by Gareth, please watch video 'Episode 5 Autumn 2009'
on the Planet Equitopia website (click on the button below)
"My gelding Captain is a bit of a physical wreck following years of showjumping with spavin and a badly fitting saddle not to mention a badly fractured radius!
During the 7 years that I have owned Captain he's had just about every treatment under the sun - both conventional and complementary.
Although he has become more tolerant of "bodyworkers" over the years I have never seen him respond with as much relaxation and enjoyment as he does when Lesley treats him.
And he's always much improved after his sessions.
From an owner's point of view, I like the fact that Lesley has training in several therapies and can use whatever is most appropriate at the time.
She is without doubt the therapist that Captain would choose and I wholeheartedly agree with him!" Jane in UK
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