We spoke via
phone in mid July 07. My handsome Arabian, Talko (Talisman Bey
x Tenacity) initially sustained an eye injury during 1997
whereby he developed Uveitis. At that time, I knew zip
about Uveitis and the vet on call did not alert me to the
reoccurrence potential. His eye improved, but during 2000,
Uveitis reoccurred. I contacted the same vet, but it was much
more difficult to resolve. I made the decision to be much more
aggressive w/meds, contacting the vet, I told him what changes I
was to institute and upon his approval, Uveitis went into
remission. FINALLY!!! So much frustration and
worry, I felt such empathy for him.
A little
history: Long before he was in my life, I always wanted "a
horse". Old friends recalled I used to gallop through our
neighborhood as a child and I am also an artist, so when I
couldn't have one, I began drawing them. When I was 36, I
purchased my 1st mare, than another, Tenacity (x Elkco).
Together with my partner, we researched a stallion for her and
after much research, I found the stallion, Talisman Bey (owned
by Steve and Myra Pekary), so correct and handsome. The
contract contained a colt clause, if we had a colt, we would
receive a free rebreeding. I prayed for a colt, my prayer was
answered. As a new foal, Talko resembled a china doll,
so beautiful and correct he was, also willing and trusting to
learn w/o fear of new things.
Beginning his
show career at 4 months, he was the #2 colt (out of 35) at the
Virginia Futurity. Throughout his young life, he became a
halter champion/English Pleasure Champion Stallion. I was to
say the least, proud. I had to move away and my partner sold
him. Keeping contact w/his new owners, they resold him to me in
95', I brought him home once more for good. Then, back with me
briefly, he had a mild colic, prior to my vet's appointment, I
held him and explained he was going to be ok that we were only
beginning and I promised him someday we'd have our own place.
I boarded him
wherever I could until I purchased a place in 1998 to
accommodate us. The following Spring I was on my deck which
overlooks their pasture & barn. Talko looked up and nickered to
me, and remembering my promise I replied, "Yes, boy, we are
home." Not to sound too sickening sweet, it really did happen
this way. Moving forward, Talko's left eye has been having
reoccurrences of Uveitis and altho' I purchased state of the art
fly masks aiding with the bright sunlight, they did not afford
him the protection he urgently needed, that is, until our recent
purchase of our Guardian Masks. His last bout with what I
thought was Uveitis (also a torn eyelid) turned out to be an eye
ulcer - more than likely injured at the same time of the tear.
The vet used dye and discovered the ulcer. I had been using
antibiotics. With the eye med and his Guardian Mask, his eye is
wide open and has begun to look healthier than in a long time.
Altho' I was
skeptical, I am so impressed. I hand wash the masks and change
them daily or as needed. Again, he's been the trusting boy he
always has been. I did make one change to the mask in an
attempt to lessen the cleaning - where the mask connects @ the
throat, there is excess Velcro which collects all kinds of
debris (dirt, grass, hay) in it - I added Velcro to the exposed
area just preventing debris. By the way, now he is
always the last one in from the pasture (before he
rarely went out to pasture). We thank you for this and for the
many horses that have benefited from Guardian Mask.
Dee & Talko
UPDATE 05-26-09
Dear Sid,
2008 was a very
busy year with my boy. In addition to a Uveitis issue, he is
recovering from chronic laminitis. I'm happy to report that
after an exhaustive year, he is mending nicely. Uveitis has
been in remission several months, I think I can confidentially
say that his Guardian Masks will handle it from this point. As
I stated in previous correspondence, he wears his mask 24/7 w/o
any issues.
Thanks from Talko
& me,
Sincerely,
Dee
