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A Super Horse
We don't know much about Cinnamon's earlier years. Her dam was owned by Alex Foreman, IV, from Mobile, Alabama. When she was two years old, she was sold to Mr. Charles Avery and Mr. Ernest Burnette from Shelbyville, Tennessee. One year later she was sold to Mr. J.L. Conkle, Tampa, Florida - her last owner on record. At the age of nine she was sold to Mrs. Hays from New Port Richey, Florida. We purchased Cinnamon from Mrs. Hays in November 2000. While with us Cinnamon has been ridden only two times. Both times were necessary for a veterinarian to determine what her problems were. When Cinnamon arrived at our place, her left hock was swollen from fluid buildup. For months she was treated with Legend shots, all the while masking her "true" problem: She had suffered from arthritis in her right knee for a very long time...far beyond the point of stopping or slowing down the problem. The only thing left to do is keeping her as comfortable as possible, giving her the supplements and treatments as advised, and yes...from time to time something to handle the pain. The knee is in the process of fusing, finally, and this should remove the pain eventually. Even though she will perform all of her natural gaits, it will never look pretty. Her knee just won't bend the way it should. In spite of all this, Cinnamon has become a happy horse. She 'knows' she has a job, even though it has nothing to do with riding. She has been my teacher, my guinea pig and my companion. After we acquired more horses, she became the leader...keeping them all in line for me. There have been many times that I questioned Cinnamon's quality of life. Although the veterinarians I had checking her out informed me that her quality of life was still good, they could never convince me completely. Then, one day, talking to a horse trainer, I was asked if Cinnamon would still lay down for a nap. I answered that she lays down quite often. During the night I know she lays down at least one time, after breakfast, and for her sunbath. The trainer told me that as long as Cinnamon is doing that, her quality of life is no doubt good. That got me convinced...and I found myself counting the times she would lay down. Then, in April 2003, the veterinarian advised me to change her supplement yet again to the brand Cosequin. I have to say, I was skeptical, but I was willing to give it a try. The results are stunning. By July I saw a big improvement in her walking as well as her willingness to walk. She had always used her teeth and ears to herd the other horses, but much to my surprise she started to run with them - often instigating the chase, and actually charging them when they get in her way. In September she started a new thing: As soon as she leaves her stall, right in front of me, she'll 'rock & roll'. Yes, now I do believe the quality of her life is good...
A Super Horse's Pedigree
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