Case Studies
& Testimonials
& Testimonials
Crystal - Headshaker with laminitis - Owner Jane Cook of Burgess Hill Sussex
12yr old Welsh Cob Mare
2/08
Crystal & Jane were spotted at a training clinic where Crystals behaviour was extremely irrational,
bordering on dangerous. It was a bright sunny spring day & when asked to go forward Crystal would
rush off then fling her head up & down almost hitting Jane in the face. Her strides were very short &
choppy. She would not accept a contact & was unable to flex through her poll & back.
After the session finished Jane explained that Crystal had 'allergies'. She reported that she was also very
impatient & difficult to handle during the spring/summer months, making her unrideable & had got
progressively worse over the years. She rubbed her face so violently that she got through several head
collars a year! The one she was wearing was almost breaking on the nose piece from being rubbed.
Jane explained that Crystal also suffered from laminitis.
On examination Crystal's tongue was seen to be almost a black purple colour with large red macules
along the side.
Her eyes were swollen under & above & inner lids were again almost a black/purple.
Her hair, skin & tail were extremely dry & she appeared dull & depressed.
A TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas supplied for continuous use.
Jane e mailed the following just recently.
Hello Annabelle
Thank you so much for the bottle of Crystal's mixture that you left out for me the other evening.
I can't tell you how much better she is since she started taking your mixtures this year.
She is very perky and there isn't half as much rubbing at the end of a ride than there used to be. The
only time now that she has a bad episode is in bright sunshine. The Sunday afternoon before last I had
to abort a ride and again this Saturday afternoon. On both occasions it was a very bright, warm and
sunny afternoon. I rode her yesterday morning and the only time she had a slight shake (in 2 and a
half hours) was when we cantered across a sunny field, underneath some trees. It was nowhere near as
bad as she has been in the past and once we carried on our way she didn't show any more discomfort.
I always carry her nose net with me, but haven't put in on her for several weeks. I am now wondering
if that itself may cause her distress? When she had a bad go on Saturday, I hopped off and put the net
on (fully enclosed net, not just a flat over the nose) and it made no difference at all.
What I am trying to say in my long winded way is Thank You. You have made such a change to dear
Crystal's life and she is thoroughly enjoying going out and about.
With kind regards.
Jane
Crystal has a way to go with her treatment, but she has had no signs of laminitis & is working
better & better as time goes by. I have every confidence that she will make a full recovery
eventually.
12yr old Welsh Cob Mare
2/08
Crystal & Jane were spotted at a training clinic where Crystals behaviour was extremely irrational,
bordering on dangerous. It was a bright sunny spring day & when asked to go forward Crystal would
rush off then fling her head up & down almost hitting Jane in the face. Her strides were very short &
choppy. She would not accept a contact & was unable to flex through her poll & back.
After the session finished Jane explained that Crystal had 'allergies'. She reported that she was also very
impatient & difficult to handle during the spring/summer months, making her unrideable & had got
progressively worse over the years. She rubbed her face so violently that she got through several head
collars a year! The one she was wearing was almost breaking on the nose piece from being rubbed.
Jane explained that Crystal also suffered from laminitis.
On examination Crystal's tongue was seen to be almost a black purple colour with large red macules
along the side.
Her eyes were swollen under & above & inner lids were again almost a black/purple.
Her hair, skin & tail were extremely dry & she appeared dull & depressed.
A TCM diagnosis was made & 2 formulas supplied for continuous use.
Jane e mailed the following just recently.
Hello Annabelle
Thank you so much for the bottle of Crystal's mixture that you left out for me the other evening.
I can't tell you how much better she is since she started taking your mixtures this year.
She is very perky and there isn't half as much rubbing at the end of a ride than there used to be. The
only time now that she has a bad episode is in bright sunshine. The Sunday afternoon before last I had
to abort a ride and again this Saturday afternoon. On both occasions it was a very bright, warm and
sunny afternoon. I rode her yesterday morning and the only time she had a slight shake (in 2 and a
half hours) was when we cantered across a sunny field, underneath some trees. It was nowhere near as
bad as she has been in the past and once we carried on our way she didn't show any more discomfort.
I always carry her nose net with me, but haven't put in on her for several weeks. I am now wondering
if that itself may cause her distress? When she had a bad go on Saturday, I hopped off and put the net
on (fully enclosed net, not just a flat over the nose) and it made no difference at all.
What I am trying to say in my long winded way is Thank You. You have made such a change to dear
Crystal's life and she is thoroughly enjoying going out and about.
With kind regards.
Jane
Crystal has a way to go with her treatment, but she has had no signs of laminitis & is working
better & better as time goes by. I have every confidence that she will make a full recovery
eventually.
Dumbo - Skin Problem - Owner Ashley Boyce from Sussex
7yr old Warmblood gelding. Used as a Showjumper
First visit 19/5/06
Owner reported Dumbo had been on box rest for some time as he was intermittently lame. When
turned out he was irrational & jumped out. He could be worked but only in the soft arena. Unable to
hack him out as he was very spooky so too risky as he was so valuable.
He had a large scar on his hind leg that he had extensive treatment for as a youngster. Currently having
Adequan injections.
The main concern was an area of hair loss on his forehead which had been rubbed raw. The yard Vet
had been trying to treat it for approx 1 year without success. Tried creams, steroids. Taken skin
scrapings.
Dumbo presented as noise sensitive, tried to bite, seemed depressed & lethargic. His head was hot & he
disliked it being touched. He rubbed it constantly.
Skin,hair, tail very dull & dry. Occasionally rubbed his tail. Droppings were dry & bullety. Tendons
were very snappy/dry.
Tongue signs were pale body, pink curled edges. Very pale gums & eye membranes. Pulse was
soft/slow
TCM diagnosis made & 2 formulas given for short term use.
21/6
Owner reports skin much improved. Dumbo allowing head to be touched & groomed. Much cooler.
Hair beginning to grow back.
Dumbo skin issue was completely resolved & has not returned.
7yr old Warmblood gelding. Used as a Showjumper
First visit 19/5/06
Owner reported Dumbo had been on box rest for some time as he was intermittently lame. When
turned out he was irrational & jumped out. He could be worked but only in the soft arena. Unable to
hack him out as he was very spooky so too risky as he was so valuable.
He had a large scar on his hind leg that he had extensive treatment for as a youngster. Currently having
Adequan injections.
The main concern was an area of hair loss on his forehead which had been rubbed raw. The yard Vet
had been trying to treat it for approx 1 year without success. Tried creams, steroids. Taken skin
scrapings.
Dumbo presented as noise sensitive, tried to bite, seemed depressed & lethargic. His head was hot & he
disliked it being touched. He rubbed it constantly.
Skin,hair, tail very dull & dry. Occasionally rubbed his tail. Droppings were dry & bullety. Tendons
were very snappy/dry.
Tongue signs were pale body, pink curled edges. Very pale gums & eye membranes. Pulse was
soft/slow
TCM diagnosis made & 2 formulas given for short term use.
21/6
Owner reports skin much improved. Dumbo allowing head to be touched & groomed. Much cooler.
Hair beginning to grow back.
Dumbo skin issue was completely resolved & has not returned.
Peanuts - Headshaker - Client Mrs Hurran from Surrey
11yr Old gelding of unknown breeding.
Visit 14/4/08
Client reported that horse was on loan as had been known to headshake for many years. Had been
turned away for 1 year before they had him.
Headshook whilst being led so had to use a chifney for safety. When ridden would improve with work
but on cooling down on loose rein would snatch & jerk. Would strike out at face occasionally.Very
impatient when hacked would not stand still at roads, gates etc. Could be dangerous. Would not tolerate
a noseband or hackamore. Appeared weak behind. His droppings became very loose when upset.
Horse presented as noise sensitive & movement sensitive - jumping at the slightest motion. Tried to bite
with ears back. Headshook & ticced whilst in stable. Rubbed his head & neck on the left side.
Coat was poor which had not grown through from an October clip. Appeared very depressed.
Tongue signs were pale body with clear macules. Pink curled edges. Teeth marked. Pulse soft/wiry.
TCM diagnosis made & 2 formulas given for 3 weekly continual use.
28/4/08
Client reported amazing improvements. Peanuts was like a different horse. Happy, calm & no
headshaking at all. Can be led out in a headcollar. When hacked out rider could stand & chat to friends
with Peanuts on a loose rein. Very pleased.
07/08
Peanuts continues to do well. He is remaining on his current protocol to minimise any future 'blips' that
he is bound to get for a while yet in either the Autumn or Spring. I have no doubt that he will make a
full recovery
This was a particularly successful case that proves just what a spot on diagnosis can achieve.
11yr Old gelding of unknown breeding.
Visit 14/4/08
Client reported that horse was on loan as had been known to headshake for many years. Had been
turned away for 1 year before they had him.
Headshook whilst being led so had to use a chifney for safety. When ridden would improve with work
but on cooling down on loose rein would snatch & jerk. Would strike out at face occasionally.Very
impatient when hacked would not stand still at roads, gates etc. Could be dangerous. Would not tolerate
a noseband or hackamore. Appeared weak behind. His droppings became very loose when upset.
Horse presented as noise sensitive & movement sensitive - jumping at the slightest motion. Tried to bite
with ears back. Headshook & ticced whilst in stable. Rubbed his head & neck on the left side.
Coat was poor which had not grown through from an October clip. Appeared very depressed.
Tongue signs were pale body with clear macules. Pink curled edges. Teeth marked. Pulse soft/wiry.
TCM diagnosis made & 2 formulas given for 3 weekly continual use.
28/4/08
Client reported amazing improvements. Peanuts was like a different horse. Happy, calm & no
headshaking at all. Can be led out in a headcollar. When hacked out rider could stand & chat to friends
with Peanuts on a loose rein. Very pleased.
07/08
Peanuts continues to do well. He is remaining on his current protocol to minimise any future 'blips' that
he is bound to get for a while yet in either the Autumn or Spring. I have no doubt that he will make a
full recovery
This was a particularly successful case that proves just what a spot on diagnosis can achieve.
Bryn Pippa - Corneal Ulcer & Uveitis - Owner Annabelle Knight
16yr old Welsh Section A Mare
Bryn had been out on loan since February 06. Loan family called to say she had
injured her eye & they were concerned. They were unable to treat her as she
was so difficult to handle.
8/06 Visited
Pony presented with completely shut eye due to swelling & inflammation. Local vet called who
had to sedate pony to examine. Diagnosis was large corneal ulcer with Uveitis. Treatment by
this vet with steroids & antibiotics was declined.
Bryn was bought home & Vet Mat Waterhouse from Arundel Equine Hospital called.
Pony had to be sedated again to examine as she was is so much pain & very irrational. He agreed with
diagnosis. 2cm corneal ulcer with Uveitis. Prescribed normal meds but said that the Uveitis would
never go & she would need constant protection from the sun. He also doubted that she would be
treatable as she was so difficult to handle. Only option was to insert tube down her neck & into the
corner of her eye to put in drops. This would be done under general anesthetic.
This treatment was declined.
A TCM diagnosis was made & permission given by Mat to use whatever means I could to treat her.
After 10days of intensive herbal therapy the eye was a normal size. After just 3 weeks Bryn could go
out without her mask on.
9/06
Mat Waterhouse called to check pony. He arrived ' fully expecting to find a huge problem' were his
words. Instead he was able to examine Bryn, put yellow dye into her eye without sedation &
pronounced it completely healed without any trace of Uveitis. He also asked for details of the herbs I
had used!
Bryn has fully recovered from this ordeal with no after effects whatsoever. She is now calmer &
quieter than she has ever been.
16yr old Welsh Section A Mare
Bryn had been out on loan since February 06. Loan family called to say she had
injured her eye & they were concerned. They were unable to treat her as she
was so difficult to handle.
8/06 Visited
Pony presented with completely shut eye due to swelling & inflammation. Local vet called who
had to sedate pony to examine. Diagnosis was large corneal ulcer with Uveitis. Treatment by
this vet with steroids & antibiotics was declined.
Bryn was bought home & Vet Mat Waterhouse from Arundel Equine Hospital called.
Pony had to be sedated again to examine as she was is so much pain & very irrational. He agreed with
diagnosis. 2cm corneal ulcer with Uveitis. Prescribed normal meds but said that the Uveitis would
never go & she would need constant protection from the sun. He also doubted that she would be
treatable as she was so difficult to handle. Only option was to insert tube down her neck & into the
corner of her eye to put in drops. This would be done under general anesthetic.
This treatment was declined.
A TCM diagnosis was made & permission given by Mat to use whatever means I could to treat her.
After 10days of intensive herbal therapy the eye was a normal size. After just 3 weeks Bryn could go
out without her mask on.
9/06
Mat Waterhouse called to check pony. He arrived ' fully expecting to find a huge problem' were his
words. Instead he was able to examine Bryn, put yellow dye into her eye without sedation &
pronounced it completely healed without any trace of Uveitis. He also asked for details of the herbs I
had used!
Bryn has fully recovered from this ordeal with no after effects whatsoever. She is now calmer &
quieter than she has ever been.
