Case Studies
& Testimonials
& Testimonials
Tony Maloney - Narcoleptic Fits - Owner Jane Warrener from East Grinstead . Sussex
17.1 Irish Draught Gelding
First visit 1/4/05
Owners Vet Scott McGuinness was in attendance. Scott is trained in acupuncture & was keen to know
the TCM perspective.
Client reported that Tony had been diagnosed with narcolepsy. He would fall over at any time & fit. He
was becoming increasingly worse .His favourite time for an 'episode' was as he was waiting to be
ridden after being tacked up.
The horse presented as a very angry impatient character. Ears back, trying to bite. His feet were in
appalling condition with cracked brittle hoofs, despite constant farriers attention.
He was apparently so aggressive when turned out that he had to be segregated from the others. He was
very anxious when outside. However when ridden he was the perfect gentleman. He had come from a
very harsh regimented background. A yard where they would use bleach on his coat to keep him
looking clean!
Tongue was red edged with purple hue. Bounding pulse
At this time I did not diagnose as the Insurers required a scan.
I did however suggest some acupoints that I felt would be helpful for Scott to use in the interim.
Tony was taken for an MRI scan,during which he came round from the anesthetic & banged his face.
He had to be re anesthetized & then was unable to be resuscitated requiring blood thinners to be
administered.
I revisited & noticed significant changes. Very pale tongue, gums eye membranes. The horse was
quieter but still fitting.
A TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas administered at 3 weekly intervals.
The horse remained fit free until 11/11/05 when he fitted in his stable after a very stressful day & went
thru the window requiring the fire brigade to attend.
Visit 11/05
The horse presented as very angry, he had symptoms of shivers in 1 front leg & was very tight
throughout his neck.
TCM diagnosis made & 2 formulas administered on a regular basis.
Tony continued to improve. He no longer suffered fits.
Visit 03/08
Tony looked stunning. Able to go barefoot & be turned out with other horses without any problems.
A few 'Spring' signs - impatience etc.
Formula given to rebalance him for the year ahead.
17.1 Irish Draught Gelding
First visit 1/4/05
Owners Vet Scott McGuinness was in attendance. Scott is trained in acupuncture & was keen to know
the TCM perspective.
Client reported that Tony had been diagnosed with narcolepsy. He would fall over at any time & fit. He
was becoming increasingly worse .His favourite time for an 'episode' was as he was waiting to be
ridden after being tacked up.
The horse presented as a very angry impatient character. Ears back, trying to bite. His feet were in
appalling condition with cracked brittle hoofs, despite constant farriers attention.
He was apparently so aggressive when turned out that he had to be segregated from the others. He was
very anxious when outside. However when ridden he was the perfect gentleman. He had come from a
very harsh regimented background. A yard where they would use bleach on his coat to keep him
looking clean!
Tongue was red edged with purple hue. Bounding pulse
At this time I did not diagnose as the Insurers required a scan.
I did however suggest some acupoints that I felt would be helpful for Scott to use in the interim.
Tony was taken for an MRI scan,during which he came round from the anesthetic & banged his face.
He had to be re anesthetized & then was unable to be resuscitated requiring blood thinners to be
administered.
I revisited & noticed significant changes. Very pale tongue, gums eye membranes. The horse was
quieter but still fitting.
A TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas administered at 3 weekly intervals.
The horse remained fit free until 11/11/05 when he fitted in his stable after a very stressful day & went
thru the window requiring the fire brigade to attend.
Visit 11/05
The horse presented as very angry, he had symptoms of shivers in 1 front leg & was very tight
throughout his neck.
TCM diagnosis made & 2 formulas administered on a regular basis.
Tony continued to improve. He no longer suffered fits.
Visit 03/08
Tony looked stunning. Able to go barefoot & be turned out with other horses without any problems.
A few 'Spring' signs - impatience etc.
Formula given to rebalance him for the year ahead.
Wilo - Headshaker -Owner Angela King from Kent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55qj09DPmnM
First visit 18/4/05
Wilo had been headshaking for several years & had got progressively worse to the extent that he was
shaking whilst grazing. When tied up on the yard his head was constantly snatching, flicking & jerking
& was distressing to watch
He had extremely poor hoof quality.A tight & sore back. His coat was very dry & dull particularly
around his quarters. His eyes red/brown in corners, swollen lids & underneath. He kept them half
closed & appeared very depressed. He constantly tried to bite. Examination of tongue/pulse signs were
very difficult due to his constant shaking. Tongue appeared pale body with red edges slight yellow
coating.
Angela reported that he acted very irrationally with symptoms of great fear.
A TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas given over 3 weekly periods.
28/6/05
Angela reports;
'As for the HSing, it is much improved, we've only had 2 days in total of quite violent flicking/shaking.
Still no where near as bad as he has been
His temperament is still a bit agro but we have also has some affectionate times! '
Wilo continued to improve & enjoy slow work over the next 3 months.
14/9/05
Angela reported that he was flicking head. He had 'snappy' tendon
Assume Autumn 'blip'
Formulas adjusted accordingly & Wilo responded well.
18/7/06
Unfortunately Wilo had major foot problem. His internal heat had created foot abscesses. Vet called.
Box rest with antibiotics, bute but headshaking symptoms were minimal & behaviour good with no
anger signs.
After recovery Wilo back in work. Hacking out on his own with no problems.
8/2/07
Angela reports some flicking/jerking.
Assume Spring blip. Formulas given & recovery was quick.
Since then Wilo has remained stable. His coat quality is excellent as are his feet.
Angela has taken Wilo on sponsored rides & hacks with no problems. Wilo has had the occasional
formula to keep him healthy & fit, but I think we can safely say he is now cured.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55qj09DPmnM
First visit 18/4/05
Wilo had been headshaking for several years & had got progressively worse to the extent that he was
shaking whilst grazing. When tied up on the yard his head was constantly snatching, flicking & jerking
& was distressing to watch
He had extremely poor hoof quality.A tight & sore back. His coat was very dry & dull particularly
around his quarters. His eyes red/brown in corners, swollen lids & underneath. He kept them half
closed & appeared very depressed. He constantly tried to bite. Examination of tongue/pulse signs were
very difficult due to his constant shaking. Tongue appeared pale body with red edges slight yellow
coating.
Angela reported that he acted very irrationally with symptoms of great fear.
A TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas given over 3 weekly periods.
28/6/05
Angela reports;
'As for the HSing, it is much improved, we've only had 2 days in total of quite violent flicking/shaking.
Still no where near as bad as he has been
His temperament is still a bit agro but we have also has some affectionate times! '
Wilo continued to improve & enjoy slow work over the next 3 months.
14/9/05
Angela reported that he was flicking head. He had 'snappy' tendon
Assume Autumn 'blip'
Formulas adjusted accordingly & Wilo responded well.
18/7/06
Unfortunately Wilo had major foot problem. His internal heat had created foot abscesses. Vet called.
Box rest with antibiotics, bute but headshaking symptoms were minimal & behaviour good with no
anger signs.
After recovery Wilo back in work. Hacking out on his own with no problems.
8/2/07
Angela reports some flicking/jerking.
Assume Spring blip. Formulas given & recovery was quick.
Since then Wilo has remained stable. His coat quality is excellent as are his feet.
Angela has taken Wilo on sponsored rides & hacks with no problems. Wilo has had the occasional
formula to keep him healthy & fit, but I think we can safely say he is now cured.
Things Jacpot - Irrational, Dangerous, Unrideable -
Owner Anna Sampson of Seaford Sussex
9yr old Warmblood gelding.
First visit 9/07
Jac has been with Anna since he was 3years old so they have a unique partnership. Previously Jac used
to be very easy.
They would compete or have lessons on most weekends all year round with great success.
Jac has a history of Strangles also teeth problems requiring much sedation & treatment. Anna has
changed yards several times to make her competition life easier & Jac has left several good friends.
He has a history of back problems, with steroids being administered & the previous year had a tendon
problem that required long box rest. He also had a history of very bad mud fever requiring several
courses of antibiotics. X rays showed arthritic changes in his hocks.
Since coming out of box rest Anna reported that he was now irrational,acting with anger & aggression
towards other horses. When she tried to compete him he put in dangerous spooks & would rear/buck
while being ridden without cause. Hacking him out alone was now a very dangerous affair.
Jac presented with very dry snappy tendons, dull dry coat. He appeared depressed but impatient with
much sighing. He was also noise sensitive & skin sensitive. Anna mentioned that he had dark pungent
urine but was also very wet. He sweated an abnormal amount when worked & was very sensitive in his
mouth with excessive salivation.
On examination his eyes had red sclera, with brown/pink corners. Puffy under both eyes. Upper lid
very red & lower was very red/veiny
Tongue signs showed red on edges, with large macules. Yellow coating with overall purple hue &
tongue body was over fat.
TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas given for regular use whilst horse was in so much
work/competition.
Within 2 weeks Anna reported that Jac was now almost back to his old self.
In the months following not only did his excellent behaviour return but he became much more supple.
No more snappy tendons. His coat was excellent & he was producing some amazing work in training &
competitions.
Owner Anna Sampson of Seaford Sussex
9yr old Warmblood gelding.
First visit 9/07
Jac has been with Anna since he was 3years old so they have a unique partnership. Previously Jac used
to be very easy.
They would compete or have lessons on most weekends all year round with great success.
Jac has a history of Strangles also teeth problems requiring much sedation & treatment. Anna has
changed yards several times to make her competition life easier & Jac has left several good friends.
He has a history of back problems, with steroids being administered & the previous year had a tendon
problem that required long box rest. He also had a history of very bad mud fever requiring several
courses of antibiotics. X rays showed arthritic changes in his hocks.
Since coming out of box rest Anna reported that he was now irrational,acting with anger & aggression
towards other horses. When she tried to compete him he put in dangerous spooks & would rear/buck
while being ridden without cause. Hacking him out alone was now a very dangerous affair.
Jac presented with very dry snappy tendons, dull dry coat. He appeared depressed but impatient with
much sighing. He was also noise sensitive & skin sensitive. Anna mentioned that he had dark pungent
urine but was also very wet. He sweated an abnormal amount when worked & was very sensitive in his
mouth with excessive salivation.
On examination his eyes had red sclera, with brown/pink corners. Puffy under both eyes. Upper lid
very red & lower was very red/veiny
Tongue signs showed red on edges, with large macules. Yellow coating with overall purple hue &
tongue body was over fat.
TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas given for regular use whilst horse was in so much
work/competition.
Within 2 weeks Anna reported that Jac was now almost back to his old self.
In the months following not only did his excellent behaviour return but he became much more supple.
No more snappy tendons. His coat was excellent & he was producing some amazing work in training &
competitions.
Bodie. - Sweetitch & Headshaker - Owner Jane Davies from Hove, Sussex
5yr old Irish gelding
First Visit 22/2/06
Owner reports that Bodie is an Irish import of unknown breeding & history, recently purchased.
Vet has diagnosed sweet itch & anemia.
Bodie cannot be turned out with others due to his aggression & he rubs on the fencing. When ridden he
becomes irrational, 'bolshy' then 'starts throwing his head about'. Has energy bursts. Rubs mane, body
& tail constantly. Also very spooky.
Bodie presented with a very dry patchy coat rubbed raw with scabs & crusty oozy patches in his mane
& tail of which very little hair remained. Owner had hogged mane.
He was anxious & jumpy.
Eye membranes very pale.
Tongue had very pale body with pink edges, curled, teeth marked edges. Flabby & dry.
TCM diagnosis made & formula given for use throughout the Summer months.
8/06
Owner reports hair has regrown with very little itching. Bodie is now turned out with others without
problem & he has just gone to his first show where he won a rosette! Owner overjoyed. Head flinging
now non existent.
Due to owners financial status formulas are stopped through the Winter in spite of my advice to
continue due to Spring blip.
04/07
Owner reports Bodie starting to itch. Diagnosis made & formula given ,again for Summer use.
04/08
Formula ordered before itching starts, but pony now almost 100%.
5yr old Irish gelding
First Visit 22/2/06
Owner reports that Bodie is an Irish import of unknown breeding & history, recently purchased.
Vet has diagnosed sweet itch & anemia.
Bodie cannot be turned out with others due to his aggression & he rubs on the fencing. When ridden he
becomes irrational, 'bolshy' then 'starts throwing his head about'. Has energy bursts. Rubs mane, body
& tail constantly. Also very spooky.
Bodie presented with a very dry patchy coat rubbed raw with scabs & crusty oozy patches in his mane
& tail of which very little hair remained. Owner had hogged mane.
He was anxious & jumpy.
Eye membranes very pale.
Tongue had very pale body with pink edges, curled, teeth marked edges. Flabby & dry.
TCM diagnosis made & formula given for use throughout the Summer months.
8/06
Owner reports hair has regrown with very little itching. Bodie is now turned out with others without
problem & he has just gone to his first show where he won a rosette! Owner overjoyed. Head flinging
now non existent.
Due to owners financial status formulas are stopped through the Winter in spite of my advice to
continue due to Spring blip.
04/07
Owner reports Bodie starting to itch. Diagnosis made & formula given ,again for Summer use.
04/08
Formula ordered before itching starts, but pony now almost 100%.