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J.J.’s
story
J.J. is a 7 year old Arabian gelding. J.J. was born here
at Foothill Arabians in February of 1999. The breeders,
Dona & Chalmers Hall, had high hopes for this colt
on the race track. His Sire is Betowin, a Stakes winner
at Los Alamitos Race Course. His Dam was Cerknica, an
impeccably bred polish mare. He was allowed to grow up
and was started under saddle. A year later he found himself
at that same race course as his sire, Betowin.
But before he ever ran a race, he was injured in training.
Bowed tendon, front left. He returned home to heal. After
a few months off, his owners asked me to try and bring
him back. We started the slow process of rehabilitation.
Within a few more months, J.J. was going down the trail,
sound. He returned to Los Alamitos Race Course. The following
month, the call came. Another bowed tendon, this time
front right. His racing career was over before it ever
began. Home he returned to Foothill Arabians. Within six
months of being home in the pasture he was looking better,
but still not sound. The owners approached me again about
the possibility rehabilitation if for nothing else, to
be sold perhaps a pleasure horse. The tendon was still
a concern, so we enlisted the help of Dr. David Howe M.D.
and Jack Kibbey, D.V.M..
J.J.’s rehabilitation
Dr. Howe is a pioneer in holistic and cutting edge medicine.
He uses a procedure called Prolotherapy to treat soft
tissue injuries in humans. Prolotherapy literally means
to ‘proliferate’ or regrow tissue. A sclerosing
agent, consisting primarily of dextrose and lidocane (sugar
water & local anesthetic) is injected into the ligaments
where they attach to the bone. The response is a temporary
inflamation, (2-3 days) which causes scar tissue to form
as the inflamation subsides. The result is a solid tendon.
There is some thickening, but it’s strong. Within
a week he was back to work. We started with slow short
trail rides, increasing distance with caution. I rode
him on trails for a year. He kept getting stronger, fitter
and faster. I started to believe he had Endurance potential.
I couldn’t find any bottom on this horse. The owners
placed him up for sale as an Endurance prospect as I signed
us up for his first 25 miler. Eighteen months after his
Prolotherapy, we arrived at basecamp for the Manzanita
Endurance ride. My friends kept telling me I should just
do the 50. J.J. had so much grit and power, they were
worried if I only rode 25 miles on him he’d never
learn to settle down for competition. After discussing
it with the ride Veterinarian, we decided to go for it.
Nothing fancy, just a nice slow 50. J.J. finished that
ride looking fantastic. He was all business. The following
month he completed the Turkey Trot 50 miler. I was really
becoming impressed with this horse’s work ethic.
He takes care of himself on the trail and the legs seemed
to be holding strong. That following year, after 300 successful
Endurance miles, 3 top ten finishes, and a Best Condition
Award, I decided I couldn’t part with this ‘little
monster’ as I often referred to him. (Due to the
way he ATTACKS a hill) A deal was made for me to keep
him & we’re looking forward to a long career
together.
Thank you Dona & Chalmers for this incredible equine
partner.
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Before & After |
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