'Mr Banks' Bolton

Our December 2020 Horse of the Month is the handsome Mr Banks! Mr Banks is a 26 year-old Connemara-cross-Thoroughbred owned by Samantha. Samantha says “Mr Banks has always been an energetic ride to say the least! He’s been show-jumped all of his life which he still enjoys although he doesn’t compete any more. He has a real spring in his step and always really looks forward to a ride. In October 2019 I noticed he had gone a little depressed inside himself and was not his usual happy character. When I ride him out hacking he usually jogs all the way home but one day he walked with no enthusiasm and I just knew something was wrong. In the next few weeks he went off his food/hay as well and was only eating 1kg of hay a night. My vet initially thought that he may have had arthritis in his jaw because Mr Banks didn’t have any of the other signs of Cushing’s such as laminitis, cresty neck, or thick curly coat. Off Banks went to see a specialist dentist who treated the suspected arthritis in his TMJ joint: after 3days he was still not eating so I called the vet out again and we decided to do a Cushing’s test. The test came back positive and my vet prescribed a daily tablet to treat Equine Cushing’s disease.  Within one week of treatment I could see him getting his sparkle back, he had a spring in his step again and he was eating much better, although still more fussy then before. Last year was a very tough winter however, he is doing well & looking amazing now! We have had 2020 out competing in veteran classes; he is in full work still and loves hacking, fun rides and beach trips. I truly don’t think I’d have got the Mr Banks we all know and love back without his Cushing’s medication. His condition is fantastic for his age & we always get complimented on it. Mr Banks was re-tested yesterday to check whether he is on the right dose, and we are waiting anxiously for the results hoping that this winter is kinder to him.”

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Samantha – Mr Banks sounds a very special horse and we are so pleased that he is doing well on his medication. We hope that his test results are all okay and that he and you enjoy your winter rides together!