Dapples for days

Just as the title says Ben has bloomed with dapples! He has always had dapples while in my care but never to the extent he has them this year! He typically gets them on top his hind quarters after he sheds his winter coat, but this year he has them coating his entire body from his withers to tail! I've attributed it to his Cavalor Fiber Force, medications , & day & night turnout routine. He has been on just the Cavalor Fiber Force for 2 weeks now & has since dappled & gained more weight! I cannot be more pleased with all his progress especially considering where we started. I always thought to myself if the Triple Crown Senior was so good then why did he have an entire GI tract filled with ulcers? I'm sure many horses do great on it & while Ben did for awhile it clearly wasn't what his body was needing.

Next week will be his recheck of the Succeed Fecal test & then we go from there what his next medication plan will be. I'm hoping he finally beats this test & gets a full negative. Either way though he has shown miles of improvements regardless. He seems to be very content with his current regimen & retired lifestyle.  Do I miss riding him? Sure I do I had been riding with him as my partner for 6 years hardly missing a week. I am honored to be able to provide him with a retirement he has more than earned with watching the sunrise & sunset & endless grooming session. No stress just relaxing. He began his career as a racehorse at 3 then from there became a star in the Hunter ring winning more than one could count. I retired him from the show ring at age 23 due to arthritis developing in his knees. We then dabbled in some dressage, trail riding, & just messing around. Once he was diagnosed with ulcers though I would not ride him. Now 4 months down the road I have decided to give him the retirement he has been long awaiting & deserved. I may hop on bareback for a short stroll but no saddle will again be put on his back or a girth squeezing his sides. He will spend his time doing as he pleases with his pamper sessions in between.

I will not ride him until he is so uncomfortable that he cannot enjoy his time after 26 yrs of service to numerous people. I say 26 because he was not ridden since February & his birthday is in March when he turned 27. It's never an easy decision but its by far the right one & I couldn't be happier with having him right by my side.