Posted: 28th May 2014 | Back to news feed
When four-year-old Frosty was unwanted, kind hearted Gill Patrick and her family took him in.
Having been out in a field during the worst of last winter’s wet weather with no shelter or rug, Gill was asked to go and look at the pony with the view to giving him a home.
“I took my trailer with me to see Frosty, as being a soft touch, I knew I wouldn’t be leaving without him” laughed Gill.
What she found on arrival was a sad looking pony that was underweight from having to survive against the elements.
On settling him into her own yard he had the luxury of a warm stable and Gill even treated him to his very first rug.
Gill and her husband Nigel along with daughter Kelly have had horses for many years and are all experienced drivers with both Nigel and Kelly having competed in National driving classes, Kelly as a junior with a pony they produced themselves.
Gill hoped that Frosty had the potential to both pull a trap and also be a riding pony for her grandchildren.
Naturally, on introducing a new pony onto her yard, one of the first things Gill did was worm Frosty and what the pony passed in his droppings was truly shocking and another reason he was in such poor condition.
“The dropping he passed after I had wormed him was red as it was infested with redworm, he had clearly not been wormed in some time and was heavily worm burdened,” said Gill.
When considering what would be most beneficial to feed Frosty, Gill came across Lifeforce Focus, the supplement from Alltech and thought it had many qualities that would help Frosty on the road to improve his condition.
Being so underweight, the best thing for Frosty was to be fed little and often and the fact that Lifeforce Focus helped improve fibre digestion meant that he would be gaining as much as possible from his feed.
“Frosty has been on Lifeforce Focus now for just over two months and the transformation is amazing, he looks like a completely different pony, it is as though he just blooms with health.
“The biggest change I noticed was in his muscle tone particularly across his chest; basically he didn’t have any before. His coat is shiny and healthy and his general demeanour is that of a very happy pony!” said Gill.
In the three months that they have owned Frosty, Gill and her daughter Kelly have been slowly introducing him to all manner of different things, starting off with some ground work, where nothing seemed to faze him.
Kelly has broken him to ride and the pair have already been out hacking alone, including riding down a busy road and he has also been introduced to an exercise cart and has just started trotting.
His biggest achievement has been his first trip out to a local show, where Kelly entered him into a showing class, coming away with his first rosette for fourth place in the Bonny Pony class.
“Taking Frosty to a show was a test to see how he would react in different surroundings. He behaved beautifully, even if he still has a bit to learn about standing still in the show ring!
“He really is a lovely pony that is so willing and just wants to work,” added Gill.
So, with the help of Lifeforce Focus and the tremendous care from Gill and her family Frosty has well and truly landed on all four hooves!
Alltech®, the title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, France has developed the LIFEFORCE Range of all-natural daily digestive aid supplements. These products are designed to benefit horses at every stage of life, from breeding stock to pleasure and performance animals.
For further information please visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512
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