The prize: an Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad
World Equestrian Brands sponsored a recent EN contest in which the prize was an Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad. We asked readers to send us an email describing why their horse deserved a Massage Pad in 400 words or less. Over 80 entries were received, and it was incredibly difficult to choose a winner– there are so many deserving horses! In the end, we selected the top 10 and picked one at random. Congratulations to Maggie Hitron and her horse Riley, we hope you enjoy your prize! Thanks to all who participated, and thanks to World Equestrian Brands for their continued support of EN.
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From Maggie Hitron:
My horse deserves a massage pad because he has given me 100% of his heart despite not having 100% use of his back. When I bought Riley 6 years ago, I’m pretty sure that no one in their right mind would have wanted him. He resembled a goofy giraffe much more than a stately Thoroughbred. But I was so excited that he was mine, because in my mind he was my perfect horse. In 2008, he was diagnosed with kissing spines in his lower lumbar region. Although his heart was into the bigger jumps, his body physically wasn’t, and I decided that I would look for a horse to take over his job and that he’d be limited to the beginner novice and novice levels, where he seemed most comfortable. I also decided that he’d always have a home with me. I couldn’t imagine the thought of selling him and him subsequently not getting the treatment and care he deserved after giving me so much.
I’m lucky enough that I was able to find and purchase another horse, Will, to fulfill my training and prelim dreams while Riley enjoyed his lower level career. While I was out competing Will, Riley was still busy giving to others, acting as a last minute stand-in for horse trials when other horses came up lame, a teacher for a girl new to eventing, and as a move-up horse for another girl who’d outgrown her pony. Riley and I entered a new phase of our lives this spring when he came home from lease because of an unsolved on-again, off-again lameness. A month and a half before Riley came home, Will had collapsed and died on course at our first event of the year. Some days it was very hard to see horses, and many days I considered quitting. But Riley has been the perfect companion to keep me going and give me the strength to keep riding and to truly enjoy horses again. He’s not the same as my other horse, and no horse could ever replace Will, but Riley has gently reminded me that there’s so much to love about each and every horse. Because Riley has given so much to me, I’d love to be able to give back to him by making him and his back as comfortable as possible with an Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad.
-Maggie Hitron
We received many good entries in this contest, with many deserving horses. Here are a few of the runners-up:
Why do I believe that my horse, I mean pony, needs an Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad? Where do I begin? Well, for starters my pony stands at 14.0 hh and is an eventing super star. Her name is Princess (AKA Changes in Latitudes) and she is a Welsh Pony/TB cross currently competing at the preliminary level. We just need one more horse trails before we are qualified for a CCI*. The plan is to qualify this summer and run Richland Park Horse Trials in the fall as a good prep, then do the CCI* at the Kentucky Horse Park in October.
Since Princess, or Prin for short, is only 14.0 hh, it is a huge effort for her to jump those big jumps. She seems to be just about eye level galloping up to those huge tables and banks out on the cross country course. Making such big efforts for her are hard on her body and makes her back sore. She loves getting her monthly massages and chiropractic appointments, however it’s extremely hard on my bank account and doesn’t do anything for the everyday treatment that she needs for her tight back. An Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad would help her immensely in her day-to-day routine and would be the perfect way to start and end every ride with. Whether I’d be using every day or for her “after xc regimine” or her “pre-ride physical therapy” she would be in pony heaven with an Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad.
Unfortunately, Princess tied up about a month ago and it’s been a long road of recovery back to normal. Since the tie up, her back has been even more tight and sore, and the tight back was even attributed to a factor of why she tied up. She is doing much, much better now after lots of veterinary treatments, massage appointments, and time. However, I need to figure out something to help her back to prevent this from happening again…hint, hint Prin needs an Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad, it would make her a better competitor at the shows as well as help with health issues. I can’t think of any other super pony who is more deserving of the massage pad…I mean, her name is Princess after all 🙂
Thanks,
Lexy Funk
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Stiff as a Board, Light as a Feather
Race Track flunky, Admiral Nelson, has a heart of gold and a spinal column of unbendable steel. We dream together of dancing across the dressage ring and floating around a stadium course, but the practical application hits a snag at relaxation and suppleness. All our work focuses on these areas, but the poor guy won’t even relax his top line on the lounge line or trotting around in the pasture. We first clocked it up to mental tension, but have since ruled that out. I truly believe he carries a massive amount of tension throughout his top line. Who knows why, but he’s carried it for so long, he doesn’t know how to let it go. I’d try chiropractic and massage therapy, but I live in the middle of nowhere. The nearest Equine Specialists are two plus hours away. My work schedule and my budget won’t permit the traveling long term treatment would require. I’ve looked longingly at the Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad many times. I think it could really help relieve Admiral’s tension. I’d settle for being able to stretch his hind legs out when I pick them up; I’ll dream of changing Mr. Stiff as a Board into Mr. Light as a Feather, plus he could share with his friends!-Melinda Mueller
Hello,
If ever there was a horse deserving of a massaging pad, it’s Willie. Willie is a 13 year old quarter horse and a true saint. He is the school horse of all school horses. Willie teaches a wide range of riders from Novice level Eventing, Jumpers, Dressage, children and adults just learning to ride, and even a few children with Cerebral Palsy. It’s one thing for a horse to help teach people how to enjoy a sport, but it’s another to be able to count on that same horse to provide physical therapy that will help children learn to walk on their own.
For young kids meeting a horse for the first time, Willie shows them the patience and gentleness that’s so important in making them feel comfortable. For adult-amateurs, Willie is tolerant yet responsive enough to help them learn and improve. For the up and coming riders learning how to compete, Willie has the talent and athleticism to take them from walk/trot to jumping 3’3” oxers and cross country fences confidently. For the kids overcoming disabilities, Willie serves as a therapy tool and trusted friend while overcoming adversity in life. To do this day-in and day-out with such consistency, reliability, and willingness is truly something special to witness.
I feel so proud to have him in our family and I think a massaging pad for a hard working horse like Willie would be a great way to tell him “Thanks”!
-Anthony Limon
