Hello Marijke,

Hope this finds you well.  Kahwal is doing well and is even being a little “difficult” at times but it’s good to see him doing so much better.

Kahwal came to us ten years ago when Tiffany chose him as her birthday present - she had been riding for a couple of years and really wanted her own horse.  Kahwal, being Arab was quite a feisty troubled horse but Tiffany fell in love with him so he came to stay.  Tiffany was fourteen then and insisted all his gear be purple.  She wrote the following at that time:
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The Man in Purple

He walks, he trots
Along to an unknown beat
He canters and he gallops
Seeming to float on dainty feet

He is mostly sunshine
His coat looks like snow
But sometimes he is darkness
For reasons no one knows

I know when he is scared
He hides from the unknown
But usually he is happy
He never feels alone

I love my little beast
With his little satin nose
And when it comes to cameras
He'll always strike a pose

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Over the years Kahwal has tested Tiffany’s patience to the limit and there were many difficult times as they both have short fuses.  They have helped each other through some very tough times – Kahwal unhappy in his previous homes and Tiffany trying to manage her life-long diabetes.

Just over a year ago Kahwal was diagnosed with laminitis and Tiffany diligently followed the recommended procedures.  He seemed to be doing quite well but on Christmas Day couldn’t move.  The veterinarian said the laminitis was the cause of his discomfort and recommended Bute for the pain.  It was then we went searching for solution – a local health food store suggested Arnica and Turmeric for pain as Bute can damage the stomach.  We went to the Internet and that is where we came into contact with Marijke.  She provided a diet plan that worked and along with frequent visits from our farrier, Kahwal made fantastic progress.

Suddenly in Summer Kahwal foundered.  Our farrier didn’t feel it was anything to do with the laminitis so Tiffany set up a consultation with Marijke.  Poor Kahwal was suffering with rheumatism and was allergic to brome.  He needed to be kept dry and warm until Marijke’s remedies had time to do their work.  Imagine our surprise when she told us Kahwal really wanted a fleece blanket – and a purple one at that.  Only a burgundy coloured one could be found that day but he snuggled into it very happily along with some white fleecy leg wraps.  A special stall was built for him in the barn.  The barn has been an ongoing project since last Christmas – our horses do have shelters but we’ve had lots of stormy weather these past few months with high winds and heavy rain and the shelters don’t provide much comfort - colder temps and snow would be a welcome relief as long as some of the water drains away.

I’m happy to report Kahwal is now comfortably installed in the barn at night and has access to an outside pen during the day.  He has ample shelter if it should get stormy.  He is truly a Man in Purple now with his purple fleecy, leg wraps, rain sheet and Winter blanket when they are needed.  He goes for a walk to the mail box most days and has a lot of his old spark back.  Tiffany wants him to be happy and comfortable and doesn’t care if she can never ride him again.  They have grown to love and trust each other these past ten years and are best friends.

Thank you Marijke for your help and remedies – Kahwal is living proof that your treatments do work otherwise he would be taking a “dirt nap” as some of the skeptics would say.  Your advice has not only helped Kahwal but the family as well.

Regards