Sparkle Deelites
Always a happy and playful horse but as many of you know, Sparkle became ill not long after being born.
She kept running high temps and always had diarrhea. Under medical care, Sparkle would get a little better but then fever would spike. She was sent to the hospital with her mother where they both had extensive bloodwork and manure tests. Everything was negative.
Sparkle seemed to stabilize so she returned to the farm with her mom. No fevers but her manure was still not 100%. After being weaned and joining our other foals, Sparkle seemed do be doing okay so we decided to send them all to Cadence Training in Ocala, FL when they became yearlings. She seemed well enough for the trip and thought sunshine and warmer weather would do them all good.
After a few weeks of being in Ocala, Sparkle’s temp started to spike again and her stool was still loose. Off to the clinic in Ocala for further tests and to be under constant watch. Still, nothing could be found. After over a month, once she didn’t spike a fever for many consecutive days, she returned to the farm but still not perfect manure.
We all decided to take her off all meds and try to get her body healthy naturally. Yogurt was started and a hair analysis was done which indicated what her body lacked and what foods she should/shouldn’t have while a specially formulated supplement was made and given to her.
We can’t remember exactly when but one day, she was just better. Manure was 100% and no fevers. We still don’t know what was ever wrong but grateful for this blessing.
Towards the end of the summer, we were informed Sparkle was having leg/foot problems. It turns out that what was done to help her had hurt her. The meds had been deteriorating the cartilage. She will never be a racehorse. We didn’t care about that. She was still bright, alert, eating, playing and wanted life. She wasn’t giving up and neither will we.
An additional supplement was given and seemed to be helping along with her knowing enough when to lay down and rest. The end of January, we spoke with a specialist who offered some options for the spasms. We settled on a Botox injection. Least invasive, followed by some spa therapy and everything would be done at the farm. This offered hope for Sparkle who was still showing spunk!
While figuring this out to set everything in motion, Sparkle took a turn for the worse and started deteriorating rapidly. She rarely got up and pain had set in. What could be x-rayed showed her coffin bone is sinking. Sparkle said what she wanted now - the light in her eyes is gone.
After trying to grasp for any straw but already knowing the answer, we uttered the gut wrenching words to do what is right and best for baby Sparkle.
Sparkle Deelites she is, now frolicking on the other side of the rainbow bridge.