A big grey standing 17.3hh, Troy, or Guard of Honour if you
want to be posh, came into Donna Howman’s life when he
was bought by her husband Mark as a wedding present.
Now 21-years-old the Hanoverian x Irish Draught is still going
strong with Donna competing him in veteran classes at local shows.
Says, Donna: “I have owned Troy since June 1998. He
was a wedding present from my husband and has just been a delight
to own.
“I met Troy at a livery yard and although I am only 5ft
4in I was drawn to him. His owner was taken ill so I stepped
in to take care of him for a few months, well that was our fate
sealed!
“His owner had been show jumping successfully with him
but decided it was time to sell him. I wasn’t in
the market for another horse and certainly had no aspirations
for a talented show jumper. The question was put to me,
honeymoon or Troy? Easy!
“We enjoyed hacking which was a whole new world for him
and general Riding Club activities. A few years on and
we started having dressage lessons, and it was in one of these
lessons that a freak accident occurred.
“He took fright and just a simple step in the wrong direction
landed him in a flower pot arena marker. We thought no
real harm was done but in the following days a swelling appeared
and upon x-ray our vet discovered a chip fracture in his hock.
“Surgery followed, no mean feat to anaesthetise 750kgs! Six
months box rest followed and then an escape from his stable set
us back yet again. When finally reintroduced to work he
managed several weeks before swellings appeared again and devastatingly
yet another chip fracture was found.
“He was given a hopeless prognosis and the heartbreaking
decision was made along with the vet to just let him enjoy himself
whilst he could and come home and enjoy what was left.
“Given his size and weight, the strain his joints had
been under in his former life and that arthritis was also found
in his fetlocks, this was not expected to be any more than a
few weeks at best.
“I took the time to research all the joint supplements
that were available. I requested copies of research papers and
made a table of comparisons of active ingredients, recommended
dosages, costs and so on.
“For me TopSpec 10:10 Joint Support came out on top and
given my long standing use of other TopSpec products and experience
of their outstanding results, we started Troy on it straight
away.
“I am delighted to say we haven’t looked back. An
amazing six years on and Troy has been back in his normal workload
ever since. We turn him out daily and he still keeps
all the others on their toes, protecting his buddy, a 12.2hh
pony and generally acting as a wind break, rain shelter or sun
shade for him.
“He has also had a go at showing, qualifying for the Veteran
Horse Society Regional Finals on his first attempt. Troy
is maintained on TopSpec 10:10 Joint Support, TopSpec Comprehensive
Feed Balancer and TopChop Lite and keeps in really good shape
all year.
“To have him going so well at 21 is just brilliant.”
Donna also owns 24-year-old Red, a stallion who has been part
of her life since he was a two-year-old.
Adds Donna: “We all know that anyone who owns horses or
ponies will have to cope with an injury or two along the way.
“Red damaged his suspensory ligament five years ago and
we immediately added TopSpec 10:10 Joint Support to his feed.
“Just like Troy the results were amazing. It didn’t
take long before he was back in full work, hacking daily and
also driving. We also show him in hand and under saddle
in Veteran Horse Society classes and he has qualified for the
regional finals on each attempt.
“The only thing that ever goes against him is that he
is often a little too exuberant, which at his age I can’t
bring myself to reprimand him for!”
For further information contact the TopSpec Triple Award-Winning
Helpline on 01845 565030
or visit www.topspec.com
