Sky Ranch Sanctuary wants to wish all of you a very happy new year. Let’s hear it for positive changes in 2019!
The photo is of Sheldon in his new Guardian Mask. We think he looks like a rock star and very “L.A!”
A few months ago, Sheldon developed a condition called “Equine Head Shaking Syndrome.” It’s a puzzling condition that causes involuntary shaking of the head. There are several attributable causes, and it can be very difficult to treat successfully. One of the causes is sun sensitivity , and with Sheldon we definitely see some causation of symptoms in regard to being in the sun. He doesn’t exhibit the symptoms in the barn in the evening, and the symptoms don’t start till the morning sun has been up for awhile.
After an exam and consultation with our vet, we visited Dr. John Madigan’s website to look for solutions. Dr. Madigan, at UC Davis, has studied this condition and he recommends the Guardian Mask, which gives extra UV protection. The mask is expensive relative to a regular fly mask, but we wanted to give Sheldon the best protection we could, while still letting him enjoy his time out in the pasture. So far, though still exhibiting some milder symptoms, he seems to have improved, and we are thrilled. The condition can improve during the winter when the sun isn’t as intense, and sometimes the condition just goes away. Fingers crossed.
Thanks to everyone who responded to our 12 Days of Christmas holiday fund raiser. May all of us enjoy greener pastures in 2019!