Dreamer:
Several years ago I purchased a horse who was failing to thrive. He was being cared for well, by his
previous owner, and despite good food and veterinary care he was becoming very very thin. He also
suffered intermittent bouts of mild colic. His coat was dull and long. He typically didn’t shed out his
winter coat; he had to be shaved each year. His previous owner did all she could to help him, she ran all
the usual blood work, had the vet check for EPM, and any other disease that could be causing the
problems. Nothing could be found.
When I arrived to pick him up, his owner gave me some of his personal belongings, his halter, bridle,
blanket, and tube of banimine. He was at least 100lbs under weight. His coat was dull, his skin was
terribly itchy, and his body was very sore. I did all the usual things you do for a new sick horse. We even
floated his teeth (I usually wait until a horse is not so compromised to float teeth) Nothing was working.
He was still thin and sickly.
Dreamer had constant diarrhea. I felt like I was shoveling the food in and it was pouring back out. It was
very frustrating for the both of us. I tried a variety of supplements to help fix the problem but nothing
worked completely.
I started researching his symptoms on the Internet. At the time there wasn’t much info. on gastric ulcers,
but there was enough information to make a pretty educated guess that ulcers were the problem, or at
least a huge part of it.
I had the vet out and we talked ulcers. The conversation literally lasted about 30 seconds. He said give
him pepto bismol. I thought well ok, not exactly what I wanted to hear, but for lack of a better choice, I did
it. I knew intuitively that this was not going to fix his problem, but if it helped while I figured out what
else to do, then so be it.
Dreamer took the pepto bismol for about a month while I figured out what to do next. During this same
month all of my horses began taking the supplements made by Dynamite. Dreamer symptoms began to
subside very slowly. On the Dynamite and pepto he began to gain a little weight, his poo had some form,
and he seemed a little better, but that wasn’t really good enough. I wanted him to feel good, to be happy
and be free of pain.
I began researching herbs and their uses. I came up with a formula that worked wonders for Dreamer. I
gave him:
Comfrey leaf – to help soothe the stomach lining and increase healing.
Licorice – to reduce inflammation and reduce stomach acid
Meadowsweet – similar to the effects of licorice and particularly effective for ulcers caused by the over
use of pharmaceuticals.
Slippery Elm powder – helps with inflammation, diarrhea, and coats & soothes the digestive track
I believe thru the combination of herbs, dynamite supplements, & diet, Dreamer has had a great
recovery. His weight today is fantastic. His coat sheds out every summer just like a regular horse. He
has dapples in the winter & summer. His mane & tail are soft and shiny. His hoof walls are thick &
healthy. He hasn’t had diarrhea in over two and a half years. He has great horse breath. And his energy
for an old guy is thru the roof. He spends his afternoons sparring with the neighboring gelding over the
fence.
The only issue remaining for Dreamer is itchy skin. He still itches from time to time, but gone are the days
of open wounds from scratching. I am hoping in time I will figure out what his body needs to be itch free.
Dreamers come a very long way in the last few years. I can say with confidence that he is a very happy
and healthy horse.
The first picture below is the closest I have to a before picture. This is from October 2004. He had a full
body clip a month or so prior to this picture. His previous owner said that they had body clipped him
several times a year for the past few years because of his excessive coat growth.
Several years ago I purchased a horse who was failing to thrive. He was being cared for well, by his
previous owner, and despite good food and veterinary care he was becoming very very thin. He also
suffered intermittent bouts of mild colic. His coat was dull and long. He typically didn’t shed out his
winter coat; he had to be shaved each year. His previous owner did all she could to help him, she ran all
the usual blood work, had the vet check for EPM, and any other disease that could be causing the
problems. Nothing could be found.
When I arrived to pick him up, his owner gave me some of his personal belongings, his halter, bridle,
blanket, and tube of banimine. He was at least 100lbs under weight. His coat was dull, his skin was
terribly itchy, and his body was very sore. I did all the usual things you do for a new sick horse. We even
floated his teeth (I usually wait until a horse is not so compromised to float teeth) Nothing was working.
He was still thin and sickly.
Dreamer had constant diarrhea. I felt like I was shoveling the food in and it was pouring back out. It was
very frustrating for the both of us. I tried a variety of supplements to help fix the problem but nothing
worked completely.
I started researching his symptoms on the Internet. At the time there wasn’t much info. on gastric ulcers,
but there was enough information to make a pretty educated guess that ulcers were the problem, or at
least a huge part of it.
I had the vet out and we talked ulcers. The conversation literally lasted about 30 seconds. He said give
him pepto bismol. I thought well ok, not exactly what I wanted to hear, but for lack of a better choice, I did
it. I knew intuitively that this was not going to fix his problem, but if it helped while I figured out what
else to do, then so be it.
Dreamer took the pepto bismol for about a month while I figured out what to do next. During this same
month all of my horses began taking the supplements made by Dynamite. Dreamer symptoms began to
subside very slowly. On the Dynamite and pepto he began to gain a little weight, his poo had some form,
and he seemed a little better, but that wasn’t really good enough. I wanted him to feel good, to be happy
and be free of pain.
I began researching herbs and their uses. I came up with a formula that worked wonders for Dreamer. I
gave him:
Comfrey leaf – to help soothe the stomach lining and increase healing.
Licorice – to reduce inflammation and reduce stomach acid
Meadowsweet – similar to the effects of licorice and particularly effective for ulcers caused by the over
use of pharmaceuticals.
Slippery Elm powder – helps with inflammation, diarrhea, and coats & soothes the digestive track
I believe thru the combination of herbs, dynamite supplements, & diet, Dreamer has had a great
recovery. His weight today is fantastic. His coat sheds out every summer just like a regular horse. He
has dapples in the winter & summer. His mane & tail are soft and shiny. His hoof walls are thick &
healthy. He hasn’t had diarrhea in over two and a half years. He has great horse breath. And his energy
for an old guy is thru the roof. He spends his afternoons sparring with the neighboring gelding over the
fence.
The only issue remaining for Dreamer is itchy skin. He still itches from time to time, but gone are the days
of open wounds from scratching. I am hoping in time I will figure out what his body needs to be itch free.
Dreamers come a very long way in the last few years. I can say with confidence that he is a very happy
and healthy horse.
The first picture below is the closest I have to a before picture. This is from October 2004. He had a full
body clip a month or so prior to this picture. His previous owner said that they had body clipped him
several times a year for the past few years because of his excessive coat growth.
The photo below is from June 2005. Dreamer completely shed out his long coat all by
himself. He had gained a good amount of weight and his stiff body had begun to relax.
himself. He had gained a good amount of weight and his stiff body had begun to relax.
Below is a picture from the winter of 2006. Hes at a great weight now, even a little
chunky. He has great muscle tone, check out his butt. And his energy level is
fantastic. He loves to run around the paddock and play with the other geldings.
Dreamer is the lead horse now, no one picks on him anymore.
chunky. He has great muscle tone, check out his butt. And his energy level is
fantastic. He loves to run around the paddock and play with the other geldings.
Dreamer is the lead horse now, no one picks on him anymore.