HERDA, Talk About It and Know

The Last Trailer Ride

Things are changing fast here today.  My handler, Mark got me out again and led me around to eat grass.  It’s hot out today and they only let me go out at night now.  I’ve been here three years.  They taught me how to lead and have manners. They gave me cookies and treats and let me play.  They even fixed my wounds when I would cut myself….Then the dreaded saddle.  I GOT manners and carried them for good rides, at least I get treats when we were done, so I guess I did well.

I wasn’t sure one day what was happening.  After a ride they would let me out to play and I would come back in with a cut on me.  It hurt too.  That seems funny though, every time I would cut myself, a lot of people would be around.  The vet, the owner and my friend Mark.  They would look at me and talk and of course I'd get peppermints so I didn’t mind too much.   I am not sure why but they rode me less and less.  The girls would come in and brush my long mane and tail and put braids in my hair, and of coarse give me treats but they didn’t ride me anymore.  I don’t know why.

It wasn’t long until the vet came out and pulled out some of my hair.  It hurt too.  Then things started slowing down except everyone would come into my room with more treats, especially Mark, and he would just sit and talk to me.

This went on for about two weeks and one morning early the trailer backed up and here we went.  Mark loaded me, and of course, I loaded right up.  The girls were there and they were sad but I don’t know why.  Then we left.  I had only been trailered 2 times before and we rode for hours.  I heard someone say “12 hours to MS. State”.   

We finally arrived and to my surprise five girls came out and took me to another stall.  I was tired and a little scared.  They put me in a stall and Mark brought some treats and they gave me some, things were a little better now.

I didn’t sleep that night, new people and sounds.  I was watching other horses like me the next morning.  I had my back to the stall front and I heard that same familiar voice “SMARTY” he said, and I spun around, it was Mark.  I nickered to him and he came into my stall. 

It was different this time and I was scared.  Mark touched my neck and stroked my face and he spoke more softly this time.  He stayed about an hour longer than before and I was nervous.  Something was not right or normal here.   I got really scared and Mark talked to me and told me “everything would be all right”, it always was when he told me this.  Mark left and drove away.   I watched him for a few moments then I spun back around and watched the pastures again.  He’ll be back, he always was.

HERDA.  For those of you who have not experienced the genetic disease, I pray you do not.  I have never experienced this before and I do not want to do this again.  HERDA also known as HC is a genetic defect found in Poco Bueno blood lines.  The chances of this occuring are about 28% if the Sire or Dam is a carrier.  The really sad thing is that it usually does not show up until they are about 2 or 3 years old, especially when started under saddle. 

Educate yourself.  Do a google search, you'll find lots of articles to help you better understand and handle this disease.  If you purchase a foal out of a Poco Bueno sire or dam be sure the sire or dam was tested for HERDA.  It is a simple DNA test and the kit can be ordered from your veterinarian.  It is predicted that this will start showing up more and more over the next few years.

Mark Hixon