Dawn with Tonto, 14 yo ISH gelding

“Whilst actually very stoic and obedient Tonto has always been quite sensitive in the ridden and despite multiple adjustments to training, tack and management including veterinary care -and holidays with “Dr Green” his ridden feel never aligned with his non ridden. Over time this general concern of his became dangerously explosive episodes and still all his professionals could find “nothing wrong”

After a chance encounter with Lily at the Warwick Schiller podcast event in Texas we had an online consultation in which Lily could identify twelve things from postural and movement analysis which might be indicative of pain being the cause of our problems. 

A frustrating year followed working with vets, dentists, farriers, podiatrists, bodyworkers and livery yard owners all of whom were open to working with Lily’s advice but given the constraints of their own practices and situations couldn’t be in the same place at the same time or necessarily offer the environment required and meanwhile Tonto’s feet and posture became increasingly compromised and it was becoming obvious that his choice would be not to move wether ridden or not and he lost muscle and gained weight as a result. 

I took the heartbreaking decision to move him to Lily’s care - a four hour round trip from my home in the hope that her integrated holistic approach including friends and freedom would at least fulfill his needs and possibly start him on the road to becoming a healthier horse. 

The environment Lily and her herd provides has seen Tonto improve in so many respects - most notably his feet which have always been a challenge. He had crumbly walls, thin soles, white line separation, negative angles and crushed heels. He was visibly uncomfortable (footy) after each trim. 

Living with Lily has meant constant observation, monitoring and tweaking of his care. No one thing has been the solution but a combination of an environment that promotes social interaction and regular movement, a diet with supplementation geared toward his individual needs, regular trims and a plethora of footwear options to try try and try again and a physical care programme with a broad plan for improvement but flexible to allow for his mental/nervous system capacity each day.

Much quicker than expected Tonto’s feet have completed a whole cycle of growth. 

His hoof wall hasn’t chipped this summer, he has tight lines, good angles improved sole depth and healthy heel bulbs. 

Comfortable feet (and playful friends) have encouraged him to move more and this prompts his body to heal itself.

It is an absolute joy to watch Tonto walk up the track with loose shoulders and a swing in his barrel, trotting eagerly to be the first to reach the grass paddock or just take himself around the track for a floaty canter because he can. 

He still has some issues to work on but with comfortable feet and Lily’s attuned assessment these are now easier to identify and the way forward is revealing itself. 

It’s hard to watch your horse suffer and not to know what to do for the best and it’s equally hard to relinquish our much loved equines into someone else’s care (particularly if it’s not ended well with other professionals) which is why we often leave the decision til all other avenues are exhausted. 

With hindsight…I would have saved so much time and money (not to mention the patience of my long suffering lovely boy) if I’d just moved him to be with Lily in the first place- which in my gut I had probably always known I would do. Many facilities promise to treat your horse as their own - I know from experience that Lily’s knowledge and care far surpasses any that I could offer myself or have witnessed available elsewhere.”