"For want of a nail a shoe was lost for want of a shoe a horse was lost for want of a horse the battle was lost, all for the want of a horse shoe nail!"

An old ditty but so often a true one! In this economy we are all looking for ways to save money, spend wisely and, when we must, cut corners, but none of us wants to be “short a nail” when a critical situation arises.  I am in the boat with everyone else!  Horse keeping is expensive at any level, but keeping an elite athlete at his or her best requires a strategic plan for success that can be daunting. How much should you do?  What is necessary?  What is most effective?  Bottom line: What will enable my horse to perform at the level I need and keep my veterinary costs under control so I can spend my budget on training and shows, not on unproductive treatments?  The importance of good maintenance was made even more clear to me this year when I sold my Grand Prix partner, Merlin.

Merlin is a 15 year old Russian Warmblood who had some significant maintenance issues.  In order to train at the level of intensity necessary to get to the Grand Prix, Dr. Kuebelbeck and the team at Surgi-care had to understand my needs.  In a perfect world, you never need to hurry, meet a deadline or go before you are ready.  That is not where I live!  Surgi-care took the time to get to know me as an individual competitor with specific needs.  As such they helped me make decisions about my horse's care and took into consideration the reality of my competitive situation. They helped me avoid problems in the first place, and when the inevitable bumps in the road came along they recommended options that were as non-invasive and efficient as possible and talked straight about the risks and benefits of each course of action which helped me make good decisions.  Ultimately, they helped me do the best job I could of helping my horse.

Surgi-care had been responsible for Merlin's athletic maintenance for several years and because of this partnership I was able not only to achieve my competitive goals, but to surpass them, and then send a healthy, useful athlete on to open the doors of FEI competition for a student of mine. From an investment standpoint all of the care Surgi-care recommended was what enabled me to have a valuable athlete to place on the market, versus a horse that due to injury was no longer of any value.

Reaching the Grand Prix and becoming a regional champion has been a thrill for me.  But I am now realizing a second “thrill” every time my student rides out on my old partner to begin her journey up the levels.  Thank you Surgi-care for helping make two dreams come true and for keeping a dear friend who has done so much for me happy and healthy!

Jill Hardt
June, 2011