For over 15 years, Bonnie Treece has participated in, co-facilitated and hosted workshops relating to the integration of physical, psychological and spiritual uniqueness. Partnering with her gifted herd in Gateway, Colorado, Bonnie manages a distinctive process of Equine Facilitated Learning that reveals and revives one’s authentic expression.

Seven years ago I realized my lifelong dream of acquiring a small horse farm in Colorado. A little Paint horse was living next door in the pasture. I noticed that no one ever came to see the Paint or pay any attention to her. Soon, she and I started quite a relationship over the fence. Even though I knew better than to feed other people’s horses, I would give her carrots anyway. At first she acted like she had never eaten them before.

One day while giving her carrots it seemed like she was asking to come live on my side of the fence. I wasn’t sure I was in the market for a horse, and was double sure her owner would not want to sell such a beautiful filly. Getting back into hores after 25 years did not occur to me until that day. Running barrels and going to horse shows to compete seemed to come naturally as a kid, but now I was all grown up with a full load of adult fears. I really knew very little about horses or how to care for them. The little Paint was persistent, so I finally contacted the owner. To my surprise, he did want to sell her, and as soon as possible.

It was highly recommended that a vet check her before I bought her. During the examination, he had a hard time telling her age, but determined she was approximately 18 months old. The seller got her at an auction and knew very little about her. The vet determined she was sound, so I took all the money out of my savings to pay for her. I named the Paint filly Mariah, like the wind.

I soon realized that to train her to ride, I was going to need help. That is where a long list of trainers began. It seemed they all wanted to “break” her, and break her spirit as well. I started studying natural horsemanship and finally found a trainer who would be gentle with both Mariah and me. I worked with that trainer for over three years before we finally came to the conclusion that Mariah just didn’t want to be ridden.

Most of the trainers said she was stubborn (evidently, Paints are known for that trait), but a deeper connection with horses allowed me to consider the possibility that she was simply in pain. On occasion she would be very lame in both her front legs. It seemed to coincide with the weather changing, or after a long run in the pasture.

Several vets examined her and finally she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. From what I learned, this disease affects horses that are on very rich feed when they’re young, and the symptoms can come and go, getting worse in three-year intervals. It can also be genetic, so breeding her was not an option. I put her on a diet of grass hay, but she was still in a lush pasture most of the summer, which probably didn’t help her condition.

Then, a close friend suggested I give Del-Immune V® to my horse. I gave Mariah seven per day for the next three years. At first she seemed to exhibit a greater sense of wellbeing. Gradually, she seemed to relinquish all her lameness, and now you will often find her running in the pasture.

I truly believe that Del-Immune V® has contributed to her recovery not only from a physical standpoint, but also emotional. I still have not ridden her, but if she continues to exhibit this pain-free exuberance, we may just ride off into that sunset yet.

To learn more about how Del-Immune V® works, click here.

For more information about Bonnie’s workshops, private sessions and study programs, visit her website, www.horsesway.com.