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December 14, 2017: Tinni’s Acupuncture Session

Given where we live, which is in an area where there is a scarcity of large animal veterinarians, we have been fortunate in that all we’ve had great care for our animals. All of our veterinarians have been competent, caring, and concerned about their well-being.

The first large animal veterinarian who tended to our charges was Dr. Sandi Farris. The second was Dr. Kevin Wellington. And the third has been Dr. Zach Kaiser. In the past we had Dr. Brooke Wilson give us holistic-related feedback on Hrimfara. Hrimmi was moving slowly. She recommended carrot stretches and hill work for her problem, upward fixation of the patella. This, in addition to the Intrinzen work did Hrimmi a world of good.


Dr Brook Wilson doing accupuncture on Tinni


Today, in inclement weather, Dr. Wilson came out and did an acupuncture session with Mr. Tinni. He’s been slowing down lately, which was why we opted to do this. It was the best thing we could have done for him at this point in time.

Dr. Wilson listened carefully as I filled her in on Tinni’s medical history and personality characteristics. After I talked, she first looked at his tongue, which she said was pale, and checked his heart, which she said was beating slowly. Both are signs, she said, that his energy level is dropping. She then examined his left eye, which has been draining and partially swollen. Her prognosis is that his cornea is now somewhat clouded over – moon blindness she called it. The other is just fine. She said that his weight is good, and we are giving him the right supplements. In particular, she applauded our giving him extruded beet pulp. Elevate, a natural vitamin E supplement, and Cosequin, a joint supplement. This made me feel good.

After quite some time, I mentioned that many years ago Dr. Farris did bloodwork on Tinni and determined that he might have fibrosis of the liver. Dr. Brooke said that this made perfect sense in light of the fact that he has sensitive soles, an eye condition, and once in a great while, heaves. And she took this information into consideration in determining where the acupuncture needles should go.

Brooke was kind enough to tell me where the two most important acupressure/acupuncture points are – at the base of the scapula and in the hock area, so that I might take them into consideration when doing body work on Tinni.

She also checked out the swelling on the front of his right rear pastern – she surmised that at some point Tinni might have damaged his extensor tendon.

Dr. Wilson was here for two hours. And in this time she did a thorough assessment of the situation. The whole time, Tinni stood quietly, first eating his hay and then slurping down his beet pulp supplement mixture. I cannot say that I saw a major change after his treatment – I suspect that if this is to be, it will make itself apparent in the next few days.

Tinni is a very stoic horse, so it was hard to tell if he enjoyed the acupuncture treatment and the exam. My sense today, was the same as the other day when I did body work on him – that yes, he very much appreciates all we are doing and that it is making him feel better. We are going to get him on Adequan, a joint supplement, in the next few days.

I also have this sense that I have not been doing enough for him. This is because it is easier to work with the higher energy mares. But I have resolved that from now on, I am going to work with him first so that he gets the attention that he deserves.

I want the absolute best for this old horse. My sense is that I must do better by him – and I will.

Next: 346. 12/15/17: The Darkest Days

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