Despite the finger crossing going on in my house over the past few weeks, we still got the worst news possible. Michael does not have EPM but rather "Wobblers syndrome".
To explain briefly - "Wobblers" is a narrowing of the spinal column that compresses the spinal column (and fluid) in such a way that the horse no longer knows where his feet are in space.
It doesn't take much common sense to see why this is a major issue. In addition to "Wobblers", Michael also has severe muscle atrophy over his left shoulder and right hip - perhaps caused by some sort of acute injury to those areas - or by further neurological damage. Either way, my handsome man is out of commission - ( it's 98% likely) for good.
This is heartbreaking in every sense of the word. I have had Michael for a little less than two years, but I fell in love with him instantly. I was working at a horse farm outside of Richmond, VA, exercising horses and teaching beginner lessons - the trainer/owner of the farm asked me to come out early one morning to help her bathe a few horses that we being sold. We worked, washed, and groomed 4 horses that morning - and then it was Michael's turn. I went to grab him from his stall, and the moment I set my eyes on his big brown ones - I knew I was in trouble. Under saddle, over fences, and in the wash stall - Michael was a total gentleman. Up until that point, I had never ridden a horse so smooth that I felt like I was floating. Jumping fences was a breeze with Michael, it felt more like riding a cloud. He could clear 3', 4'. 5' fences without hesitation. It may sound cheesy, but I knew he was the horse of my dreams. I begged Billy not to send him that day, and pulled MANY strings to make this boy my own. August 8, 2006 was the day that he was really mine.
At that point I had had my mare, Crystal, for a little over 8 years. She is a beautiful, sweet girl who has mellowed out with time - formerly a heinous bitch. And though I love her in the way that you have to love your family members that drive you crazy - I never felt connected to her. With Michael, it was different. From the moment we met we had some sort of crazy connection.
I spent less than a year with Michael in Richmond, before moving back to TN to finish school. Sadly, school took priority and he got bumped to the side - and ended up back at Fox Hollow in Bristol, TN. My intention had always been to move him to Knoxville once I got settled and found a great place for him to board - but it never happened. Now a year has passed, a year that I could have spent riding my handsome boy, and he is in rough shape. I've come to the harsh realization that I spent so much time and energy giving/doing for others that I forgot to take care of myself, and of what mattered most to me. It almost feels like a fair punishment for the girl who neglected her horse for a year (and by neglect I mean that he was still loved on, and ridden consistantly, and was in training .... just not spending time with me).
Now I am left with a gorgeous, unrideable gelding who still whinnies when he sees me - no matter how long it is between visits. A big, tough guy who loves me no matter what. Everyone should be so lucky.
A little more info on "Wobblers" can be found here:
http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=5120
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