The Beginning of Jersey’s Teachings
When I got my horse, I never would have pictured the path he led me down. I am forever grateful for his teachings, the teachings of the experts he led me to and the friends and family that supported me along the way. This is the first bit of writing I did when trying to process the findings on his radiographs…
The horse always comes first, and my dreams for this horse were no exception of this rule. I bought Jersey off the track in May of 2022 as he had just turned 3 years old. Not more than a week after his 5th birthday this May, we received confirmation that he has serious degeneration of the C6 and C7 cervical vertebrae, minor degeneration of the C5 vertebra, and fusing of the C6 and C7 joint- which no longer has a true joint (no disc left). His neck no longer bends laterally with ease and he finds trouble functioning as a normal horse would.
Jersey presents all symptoms of equine complex vertebral malformation (ECVM)- which is a hereditary malformation of the ventral tubercles on the C6 and/or the C7 and potentially malformation of the first rib. However, an osteology expert we've grown close with believes Jersey doesn't have ECVM from the radiographs I've sent to her. She also noted there is a similarly bred horse (on the sire's side), with the same issues and symptoms, that was euthanized at Jersey's age... so we know what is happening in his body to be hereditary on some level.
In the early fall, Jersey and I will be making the trip to a well-known research facility to meet with an incredible team where he will be euthanized and studied for further understanding of his condition. More on this trip to come as I finalize some paperwork.
I want to thank all my friends that have supported me through this and the massive team of professionals that have helped us get to this point. I also, as silly as it may be, have to thank my horse- he truly has been my rock in all of this and the unwavering kindness, love, and charisma he has shown even through his immense pain has kept me going. I wouldn't be half the horsewoman I am without what he has taught me in his short time here.
- Katie
