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Introduction of Me and My Horses
Hello
I’ve been with horses since early 1970’s. Currently, I have two horses, Oniek (pronounced like Onique similar to Unique) who is a 6-year old Warmblood gelding and Rei (pronounced like Ray) who is a 4-year old Lusitano gelding. I joined the membership to learn about NUTRITION that is protein-centered. I found Doc T in 2010 or so and started his protocol with two other horses but went down the rabbit hole of free choice hay feeding in about 2017-18 as I lived in Southern CA. In 2019, I lost both horses in ten days time to laminitis for two different reasons but both based in metabolic conditions. In 2022, I got two new horses which are located in VA, started the SBM protocol and again allowed myself to be waylaid and went down the rabbit hole of supplements. Meanwhile, my new horses suffered; Oniek with skin conditions and Rei with EMS, yes EMS at age 3. It is possible. I saw the signs as a yearling with him frequently urinating and having dry manure. Last year, he became fatter, developed the clinical signs of EMS and finally in October 2024, I stopped the madness. I stopped everything, limited the pasture access and bought SBM. During the winter, I fed a sum total of 1000 lbs of hay to 2000+ lbs of horse flesh. They got hay when they could not access grass due to snow. Both lost weight dropping 1-1.5 BCS. Rei stopped looking like the neighboring cattle. Rei stopped being food aggressive and became more steadfast in his behavior. This spring has been a challenge. Rei’s bodyweight has increased in addition to his neck and its crestiness. He is muzzled 24/7 for last month. I just started confining him in a stall for morning hours and handwalking him for 30 minutes daily. I continue to have faith in the SBM and reducing the glucose intake. Rei continues to look like a horse versus a cow. Glad the summer months are upon us so that the grass becomes slightly dormant. Oniek’s skin has improved significantly. Soon I will put a fly sheet on him but for now he is holding his own. He is itchy but his skin integrity is good. I am looking forward to a full year on Doc T’s nutrition protocol. At this time, I have influenced other horse owners from the West Coast to the East Coast with approximately 24 horses on SBM since last Fall. We are spreading the word! Keep up the GREAT work. Since finding you in 2009/10 to today, your content and knowledge has grown exponentially. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so freely for the benefit of the horse.
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2 Replies
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Thank you, Lynn. Our path with horses has been remarkably similar: we started with horses in 1973, lost horses to EMS and laminitis, and so on. It’s funny, but we both have done what “they” told us to do. This path included other horse owners and slick marketing, but for me, veterinary school and their continuing education.
You found me when I was discovering that I was being “misdirected,” which is where people tell you lies, thinking they are truths. I coined the word “complexicate” to describe this and thought it was better than “fake news.” However, the bottom line was that our horses suffered.
I am grateful for you finding my information and sharing it with others. We may not be able to change the whole world, but we are humbled when some listen and act on what we say, helping the handful of horses in their care.
I want to use your story as a testimonial. However, we are moving The Horse’s Advocate to a much better platform. Matt is selecting a few members to be invited to join as beta testers this week or next week. I’ll be sure to add your name to his list. When you have been added, let me know, and I’ll show you where to add your story.
Again, thank you for taking the time to write this and to share this information with other horse owners. Doc T
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Thanks I look forward to the beta testing.
My local vet in CA, Ron Lenhert of Apple Valley Equine, instructed me to provide Bermuda grass hay at 2% BW and 1 qt size coffee can of SBM daily. At the time, I was struggling what to feed due to the number of choices available. Later I found your website confirming his instructions. I always wonder if you knew each other because it was the exact information, give the lowest CHO hay available and supplement with SBM for protein. It worked for years then I started feeling bad for my horses because they ate their hay so quickly with nothing to do the rest of the day and that is when I got on the slippery slope to laminitis by moving to free choice 24/7. There is a reason for fasting…..
Ron retired from practice in 2022. He left healthy and at the ripe age of 76 or so. He now lives in AZ. Do you know him?
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