New arrival in need - Shakira

Shakira had worked at a trekking centre and the owner contacted us as he was concerned about her health. At almost 30 years of age, the mare had developed arthritis and was finding it difficult to walk comfortably. She also had some dental problems, was losing weight and her front hooves were growing at a strange angle.

The owner asked if we could take her as he knew we could give her the intensive treatment she needed, and so off we went to collect her towards the end of last year.

After sorting out her teeth problems, we X-rayed her hooves and found that we could safely begin to trim them into a correct shape. Shakira immediately found it a little easier to walk and after putting her on medication for her arthritis was soon trotting around like a two year old!

Shakira has a lovely temperament and is so inquisitive she is always close by to see what’s going on. Now that Shakira can eat properly, and has her daily medication, she is in much better condition and her coat has improved dramatically as well. Bless her, as she was used a lot for breeding as well she does have a rather large tummy – it’s not all fat, honestly!

Now that she is much more mobile, she loves rolling and getting dirty although we think it’s just so that she gets groomed more often. Well they say wisdom comes with age!