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Mia

With the help Occupational Therapist Taryn Vivian (from the Cape Hands clinic), Dr Megan Kelly has made a static splint for Mia to help her recover from her injuries. Mia jumped out of a car window and sustained nerve damage to her brachial plexus (the nerves in the axilla or arm pit). It is still early days but we are very hopeful as she is showing signs of nerve regeneration.

Robbie's story

We were asked to see a horse named Robbie because his owner couldn't put a rug on him, and once on, couldn't take it off. Robbie was 27, and winter was slowly approaching!

After owning Robbie for 5 years, the owner thought Robbie just had a 'difficult personality' and was happy to accept and love him just the way he was, apart from the rug problem.   In reality the problem with the rug was a symptom of much more Robbie was struggling to cope with in life. Robbie was difficult to catch, could not be stabled because of stereotypical behaviour, would pin back ears and fidget when groomed, lash out with hind legs when rugged, shoeing was described as "a nightmare", he couldn't be tacked up without a struggle and had to be sedated to trailer load. If we wanted to fix the rug problem, these other issues would have to be addressed, which all amounted to his lack of trust in people and touch acceptance because of his life history - life history prior to that with the current owner that is.  

After a rigorous eventing career, numerous homes, and training based on punishing techniques, Robbie moved to his current home where all the above came to an end.   However, as far as Robbie was concerned people were bringers of bad things, and all interaction was to be feared and if possible avoided.

Today, Robbie canters up to the owner when she enters the field. He is happy to be touched all over the body and stands with no head collar to have his rug put on and taken off. The farrier doesn't quite believe he is the same horse! The owner has a relationship with Robbie based on trust and confidence, something she never thought possible with him being 27.

case 1

DR MEGAN KELLY interviewed on SAFM.

Listen to the 9-minute interview for an overview of Holisticvet.
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