Equine Case Stories
Facing Euthanasia: Vets at a loss (Sedona, USA)
Eyore was rescued from severe neglect, carrying the long-term consequences of hardship. He had reached a point where conventional veterinary care could no longer offer explanations, only management, decline, and difficult conversations about euthanasia.
This is the story of a donkey whose body was no longer responding predictably to treatment, whose appetite had almost disappeared, and whose days were increasingly defined by pain, lethargy, and uncertainty. It is also the story of what happened when Eyore was given the opportunity to choose for himself.
What followed was a profound example of innate self-medication in action, revealing how an animal, even late in life and under severe physiological stress, can communicate precise needs when offered the right choices. Eyore’s recovery challenged assumptions about ageing, irreversible decline, and the limits of healing, leaving both guardians and veterinarians re-examining what is possible when the animal is allowed to lead.
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Chronic Pain: PSSM
Khaleesi, a horse diagnosed with Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM), had endured a difficult life on a rural cattle ranch before being rescued by Diana Hagemann-Milenkovitch at the Double H Equine Foundation in Sedona. PSSM, is a genetic muscle disorder that is manageable but incurable, often causing significant pain and discomfort. Khaleesi’s distress was evident by reacting to touch with pinned ears and grinding her teeth, even gentle brushing was intolerable. Read how essential oils helped her.
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Sarcoids
Michael was living with multiple sarcoids, including a large open lesion above his eye, and had been referred for radiation therapy after previous treatment failed, but that intervention was never pursued. Instead, over several months, he was offered plant extracts through a choice-led process in which both nutritional support and emotionally regulating oils played a central role. What emerged was a sustained process of repair shaped by nutrients, plant extracts, patience and the horse's own agency.
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