Fizz needs help to heal

Of all the horses in my equine facilitated psychotherapy herd, Fizz is perhaps the most vulnerable. She’s not the oldest or the youngest, but right now she is more emotionally and physically fragile than the other eight horses.

She has recently developed skin cancer lesions called sarcoids on her face and chest. There is no definitive cause, but I believe many physical problems have an emotional cause or are exacerbated by stress.  

Fizz, far right, with mother, Simza, centre, and grandmother, Maude

Fizz has certainly had a tough time since day one. When she was born – and we’ll never know how this happened – one of her udders was torn. Fizz’s grandmother, Maude, who was present at the birth, gave an loud scream when the little foal popped out, letting me know that something was wrong.

The vet sewed up the gash, but the stitches just wouldn’t hold and I was warned that her chances of survival were slim. I knew her spirit was strong and she had an incredible mother, Simza, so I did what I could and treated her at home with manuka honey and a lot of love.  She only has one udder, so will never be able to have a foal of her own. 

Slowly the wound healed, but Fizz’s problems were not over. We had also noticed she was having trouble breathing. After further vet investigations we were told that one of her nostrils was almost completely blocked by soft tissue, so at aged two, off she went to the veterinary hospital in Bristol for laser surgery. For vital support, Simza went too, and her daughter was, again, a model patient.  The veterinary hospital had never known a foal survive with two congenital disorders at birth. 

Fizz watched over by devoted grandmother, Maude

When she was four, Fizz lost her devoted grandmother, Maude, who died aged 32 - a huge loss to all the horses and to me. The following year, Simza gave birth to Fizz’s full sister, Selene, and had no time for her first-born daughter.

Simza actively pushed Fizz away - and still does. This is natural behaviour, but it’s hard to watch Fizz’s rejection. Although another older mare, Anja, has taken on the role of auntie and is a huge support, she can’t take away Fizz’s grief or heal her physical problems.

Nevertheless, as Fizz has grown, she has never lost her sense of fun. And her loving and giving nature has shone through and she’s been a healing force for many clients who have benefited from her particular brand of ‘horse therapy’.

Having fun with Bugsy

But now it’s Fizz who needs healing. We were warned that, as she grew, the damaged nostril may need further treatment and so, when she goes into hospital for specialist treatment on her sarcoids, the vets will carry out further work to widen her nostril.

Fizz has always been so giving to clients

Another of my horses, the dominant gelding in the herd, Wodka, also had sarcoids when I bought him and I’m sure that stress in his early years played a role in their appearance – and his emotional healing with the herd played a role in their disappearance.

Time and consistent support were his healers and he has developed from an anxious, afraid horse, who was always on high alert, into an exceptionally confident and assertive herd leader.

After a targeted topical treatment, Wodka’s sarcoids disappeared and have never come back. I also used complementary therapies to support his immune system after treatment and I will do the same after Fizz comes home from hospital on 29 May 2024. I am hoping that she will be as lucky as Wodka and the tumours won’t reappear.

 We will be doing a healing constellation for Fizz at the constellation workshop on 11-12 May. There is trauma in her female ancestorial line, which I know all about, so it will be interesting to see what transpires. 

Keep an eye on Instagram for updates on her progress.