This message is from: "Clinton Nesseth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hello List, Our little fjord horse, Freja, has a great big heart. She is now retiring from her duties as a Hippo therapy and Therapeutic riding horse. The cause of her dismissal came quickly and is quite a shock to her big family. Freja has spent 9 or so years of her life as a beloved pet, a trail companion, a training method guinea pig, attempted dressage pony, and lastly a fantastic therapy horse whom has helped to teach many children social skills, speaking skills, and muscle control. In the last few days she was diagnosed with Uveitis, a rare ocular disease, and has completely lost vision in her left eye. Due to strict NAHRA regulations, she is unusable as a therapy horse and must be retired immediately from their program. Freja's symptoms were discreet. She has spent the last year happily at Nature's Edge Therapy Center as an important component in their program. Children are immediately drawn to her for her sweet face and gentle disposition. She has always been calm, understanding of strange human antics, and quite an easy keeper. (A strong advocate for the fjord breed, I must proudly state) Late last week during her daily conditioning, her handler noticed a large cloud in her eye. Immediately, a veterinarian was called and a diagnosis was made. It must be Uveitis, aka Mooonblindness or UV blindness. Caught early, she was treated with 2 hopeful optical solutions that were to help regain her vision. After little to no improvement, a small decrease in swelling at the back of the eye, her vision is completely lost in the left eye, and we're being warned that complete blindness may ensue. What does the future hold for Freja? For now, she will return home to live with 9 other fjords at my home. Freja spent her first 8 year of her life on our farm in northern Wisconsin. She taught me all about horses; how to scratch them in the best spots, to hang on tight as the herd would gallop out to their big pasture on summer nights, how there are many ways to get disqualified in a dressage arena, and most importantly, the special bond a young girl and a young fjord mare can have when growing up together. There is not too much treatment for equine blindness. Our biggest hope is that the blindness stays in one eye, and she can become a companion for one of our other horses. We have been suggested few treatment options. Most importantly, her eyes must stay free from UV exposure. Does anyone have any experience with blind horses? Or know anything about Freja's illness? Any help or suggestions are welcomed, and we really hope to be able to adapt our lifestyle optically impaired fjord. But for some good news, our first foal arrived today! -A little colt out of EWF Elsa and Smedsmo Graen. He was a bit confused as to whom his mother was, but was up and milking right away. Ha det bra, Crysten Nesseth The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
