No Ulcers.

It's official, the test has been done and Anky does not have Gastric Ulcers. I'd sort of come to that conclusion myself, but now I know for sure. To be honest it doesn't change anything, she still gets episodes of gassiness (trapped wind,I guess) but I can now rule ulcers out once and for all. I wonder if there is an equine supplement for trapped wind? Her current diet consists of grass more or less 24/7, hay when they come in for the few hours every day, two/three feeds per day of Dengie Hifi Lite,Baileys Lo-Cal Feed Balancer and unmolassed sugar beet. To this I add Aloe Vera Juice, Slippery Elm, whole colostrum powder and probiotic twice per day.

Simple pleasures

I had a lovely time this morning spending time in the stables grooming all the horses. No chance of ridng today so it was nice just to spend a little time with all of them. Remy and Anky can take it or leave it, although Anky relaxed a little as I massaged her face and ears, Remy just continued to eat his hay, but deigned to notice me when I brushed his front legs (I think he's ticklish). Bonbon loves being groomed and she's got the loveliest coat, very fine and silky. Corky really needed a good grooming and looked much better when I'd finished, she has a beautiful caramel coloured coat.
The vet came this afternoon to take blood from Anky, he will send it to a special lab in Normandy and they can analyse it to see if she has gastric ulcers. It's obviously less invasive than a gastroscopy and apparently 99% accurate.
Marilene came this afternoon to ride her pony in the school. They were very happy with it, it's nice and soft but not too deep. She is learning to ride and this is her first horse, a 6yr old t/b with a seemingly very calm disposition. I think she may come over again.