I have owned Lighting, my 23-year-old Thoroughbred/Mustang mare, since she was two years old and I was only eight. I grew up on a small farm with a few cows and a Shetland Pony named Annabelle. In the winter of 1995, Annabelle came down with a nasty case of pneumonia and we had to say goodbye to her when she was 30 years old.
As a horse-crazed seven-year-old, I was devastated to lose her and really wanted a new horse. When we found Lighting, she was priced at $300, but they knocked $50 off her price because my mom helped them with one of their cows. I saved up my birthday and allowance money and put $50 of my own money towards her purchase. My parents chipped in $100 and a close family friend contributed the remaining $100, and together we bought two-year-old Lightning!
Lightning was quite the handful as a two-year-old, so she presented quite the challenge for us. I read a lot of books and joined the local 4H club, because my parents realized we were in over our heads and needed some help. We never really got very competitive in any particular show circuit because of financial reasons and a lack of experience, but we did show at the county fair each year. We weren’t taken very seriously by other riders because she was a lot of horse for me at the time, but I eventually started working with a fabulous trainer and we learned to jump together. Later on, Lightning was injured and had to take several years off. When we started riding again, I started working with our fabulous trainer and we switched to dressage and attended some local schooling shows.
Over the years, Lightning and I built a very special relationship because she was always there for me. In high school, I had major surgery on my jaw and I struggled with some mental health issues as well. On the days that I thought the whole world was against me, I always knew that I had Lightning to turn to. I attribute much of my successes to the lessons she has taught me about hard work, stubbornness, compassion, and grit.
From community college to my undergraduate degree to graduate school, Lighting has traveled with me every time. Owning a horse and going to school comes with its time management and financial challenges. During undergraduate school, I had to work four part-time jobs to support us both. Now that I’m in graduate school, I’m on a fixed income and am unable to increase my income to be able to adjust for her rising needs as she ages.
Taking SmartPak’s Horse Health Challenge was insightful for me because she and I are navigating new challenges. I’m thankful that the challenge included deals, because I was able to use many of them to implement some resolutions to the challenges we’re facing so that I can give Lightning the very best in 2019.
The first challenge we took was Challenge 1: Rethink Your Horse’s Diet. Lightning has always lived outside 24/7, but we recently moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I am attending graduate school. The barn that I chose to keep her at is a co-op facility. I picked this farm because we all do our own chores, which means the cost is much lower than other farms in the area. It also gives me flexibility to provide Lightning with extra feedings and use haynets. Lightning now goes into a stall at night, which was a change that she has adapted to. I’m happy knowing that she’s covered with SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra to help ensure that she’s getting the right balance of omega fatty acids now that she doesn’t have 24/7 access to grass.
Since we have different people feeding every day, I pre-fill hay bags for her so that I know that she is getting enough hay and see what she doesn’t finish. By taking this challenge, I realized that she needed more forage in her diet so I now give her alfalfa-timothy cubes and give her extra flakes of hay when necessary when I do my evening chores. When I took the Horse Health Challenge over the winter, Lightning (who is usually an easy keeper) was losing weight. I added CoolStance Copra to her diet to provide her with source of calories that was low in non-structural carbohydrates.
The 1999 study in the Equine Journal, which was referenced in Challenge 4: Face the Facts on Joint Health, really got me thinking. Now no matter what, I will implement a joint supplement that targets my horse’s situation. Since my girl is a senior, it really puts the cascading cycle of wear and tear on a horse’s joints into perspective. I’m hopeful that with support from the right supplements, including SmartComfort Pellets, Lightning will be able to stay comfortable this year.
The thought of losing my best friend to colic is devastating! Lightning has been on a ColiCare eligible supplement for years, but I had never enrolled her in the program. I don’t have an answer as to why, but after taking Challenge 5: Take A Stand Against Colic, I decided it was time. Lightning is now enrolled in the ColiCare program and while I hope to never need it, I now have the peace of mind that if she does need surgery, the financial burden won’t be what’s costing her life.
While taking this challenge, I also learned that changes in hay, even different cuts, can increase a horse’s chance of colic by 10 times. That is insane! From 2019 on out, I will pay close attention to the hay the horses in my care are receiving and transition them slowly. Another colic risk factor that has always worried me since moving Lighting to a barn where she is stalled is dehydration. Lightning isn’t a big fan of drinking out of a water bucket, but seems okay drinking from the water tank outside. When I visit her at night, I give her an alfalfa-timothy mash that helps increase both her forage intake and her water intake.
Starting in June of 2018, I hadn’t been able to ride Lightning due to some lameness that her vets were unable to pinpoint until just recently, when she blew her first-ever abscess. My vet and I determined that the likely source of her discomfort is due to some metabolic changes as she’s aged, and that we moved from a sandy/rocky location to a location known for soft ground and mud. With a combination approach of chiropractic adjustments, shoes with pads, a joint supplement, and a hoof supplement, I can now say that I have a comfortable and happy horse! I am now riding her a few days per week again. Challenge 7: Take Four Steps To Four Healthy Hooves allowed me to start her on SmartHoof Pellets, which provide her with the nutritional foundation she needs to grow strong, healthy hooves.
When Lighting was feeling well enough for under saddle exercise, we completed Challenge 8: Change Up Your Routine. She is clicker trained, so practicing clicker training provided an outlet for both of us when we couldn’t ride!
Lighting and I are very similar in the sense that we have a lot of anxiety towards things. When we were both younger, we butted heads really badly. Through the years we have learned to trust one another, and Challenge #9: Find Inner Peace for Yourself and Your Horse, was a good reminder to me of where we came from and how far we have come. I hope to continue learning more about her and doing my best to not jump to conclusions and let that ruin our day. Over the years we have discovered some dental and saddle fit issues that resolved many of her behavioral problems. I used to think that she just needed a calming supplement, but over the years I’ve learned her triggers, made her more comfortable, and kept my overreactions in check, which has really been monumental for us.
I also took Challenge 10: Give Your Horse a Gut Check. Lighting has access to hay 24/7 and gets an alfalfa-based mash to help keep her stomach healthy and happy. During stressful situations, I give her omeprazole for extra support. Lightning has never been scoped for gastric issues, but when I describe the behavioral changes she’s displayed during times of stress, our vet agreed that we’re on the right track by supporting her stomach health.
Like Challenge 11: Add a Slow Feed Hay Bag recommends, I use a slow feeder and won’t ever go back! I think the HayChix nets are so fabulous, and one of my barn mates has one of the SmartPak Slow Feed Hay Bags, which are really nice, too. I love using a hay net because it allows me full control over what type and how much hay my horse gets at the co-op style farm we board at.
I’m a huge fan of performing fecal egg counts prior to deworming, like Challenge 13: Deworm Smarter recommends, because why not figure out what we’re targeting and combat them? Because of the deal I got for taking the Horse Health Challenge, I was able to utilize the Equine Fecal Test Kit that SmartPak offers and get an additional data point to use for developing the right deworming program.
When you do clicker training, you tend to go through a bunch of treats! When it comes to treats, I follow Challenge 17: Treat Your Horse Right because I really love the ingredients found in SmartCookies. Plus, we do a lot of stretching in addition to clicker training, and these treats are tasty enough for Lightning to want to “reach” for them.
Lightning has been getting supplements in SmartPaks since 2011, so we were already completing Challenge 20: Support Your Horse & Save with AutoShip. I first started using SmartPaks when I started working at a non-profit barn and took charge of the feeding program. I wanted a way to feed supplements that was as quick and efficient as possible, and SmartPaks were foolproof! I love that SmartPaks are pre-measured because I get peace of mind that Lightning is getting the correct amount of her supplements each and every day no matter who’s feeding. I also like that I don’t have to worry about freshness being compromised because each strip is individually sealed.
When I found out that I was the winner of the Ultimate Horse Health Challenge, I was pretty much speechless. I got the phone call when I was in the office and I wasn’t sure if it was real or not. When I realized that it wasn’t a scam, I got really excited! When I told my boyfriend, his response was: “That’s awesome, I told you Lightning was special!” Everyone I’ve told has had similar responses, and it’s heartwarming to hear everyone’s enthusiasm for my special girl.
As part of our prize package, I was able to create Lighting’s dream SmartPaks. I chose the following supplements, and I think they’ll be exactly what she needs to keep our momentum going:
• SmartOmega 3 & E Ultra
• SmartComfort Pellets
• SmartHoof Ultimate Pellets
• SmartGI Ultra Pellets
• SmartLytes Pellets
• Tri-Amino
Besides our dream SmartPaks, I’m really excited to get Lightning’s personalized SmartPak Soft Padded Leather Halter. I’m in love with the Havana/Teal color combination and I can’t wait to see it on Lightning. I think Lightning’s favorite prize will be the bag of SmartCookies!
Along with the rest of our prize package, we’ll be getting a $1,000 gift certificate to SmartPak. I’m not sure yet if we’ll splurge on anything big, though I am considering replacing her turnout sheet. I mostly plan to use it on her essentials, such as fly spray, hoof conditioner, and liniment. The costs of all of the little things we need add up at the end!
To close out our story, I want to say thank you to a few people. First, to SmartPak, for this very generous gift and opportunity. Next, I want to thank my parents, who took this leap with me 21 years ago when we took Lightning home. It’s been a crazy journey, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without their support. Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone we’ve worked with along the way – whether it’s my awesome barn family or the trainers we’ve worked with who have kept us motivated to stay in the saddle.
Congratulations, Kristine! I loved reading about you and your horse, Lightning! What an inspiring story of overcoming challenges and sticking with your commitment to give your horse the best care possible. You definitely deserve this prize! Best of luck in the future to you both!
Congratulations! Terrific submission, I really enjoyed learning about You & Lightning. You both are assets to the Horse World for the majority of the Horse Community that is on budgets and have real life challenges.
You are worthy winners!
Keep up the Great Work and ENJOY YOUR RIDE!
Respect and Love,
Linnea, Checkers & Cocoa
Central Florida
Congratulations Lighting ! Sounds like you found yourself the right person 21 years ago. Best of luck to you and Kristine.
Congratulations!!! Beautiful horse and Great Story!! You both deserve this!!!!
Wonderful news! I sold
my 1st horse to move to MI and attend grad school. It was so hard & I was so lonely. I didn’t think I could pay the tuition but should have done what you did. But I have another horse now and am happy again. He is the cover boy on my horse memoir which is currently getting reprinted. We’ve been together since he was 6 and just turned 25 and is a great trail horse.