Phase 1 - Hoofbeats Of Change

Phase 1: #6525

Title: Hoofprints of Change

The New Beginning

"Welcome to the Loshenka Makeover!" As Lilyanna walks up to the rescue's office after getting her allocation notice, a cheery volunteer greets you and explains that there is a single horse #6525, a Loshenka mare, that suffers from chronic laminitis and obesity. As they lead the way back to the stable that held the horses for the makeover, they explain her history, that this mare has been struggling with laminitis for the past year, leading to constant bouts of lameness. Her previous owner fed her generously to keep her happy, but the extra weight has only exacerbated her condition. She needs a strict dietary and exercise regimen, but she's used to getting lots of treats and attention, which makes managing her weight a challenge, finally reaching a far stall where a pretty Gold Pearl Snowflake Appaloosa mare stands. The mare looks up expectantly as humans meant treats and attention and hopefully this human would give her lots the mare thought to herself as she pushed her muzzle over the stall door. After meeting the mare and listening to rescue volunteer Lilyanna quickly signed the paperwork and #6525 was led out and walked slowly and carefully to Lilyanna's horse trailer and loaded up for the trip to her new home. They arrived home late in the evening and Lilyanna's brother helped unload her new mare into a waiting stall next to his mare WRS Rolling Thunder. The makeover mare shifted in her new stall sniffing at the bedding and water and huffing about the lack of food besides the hay net. Her gold pearl coat with its snowflake appaloosa markings shone next to the darker mare, Thunder, who whickered at the new mare. #6525 looked at her and whickered back before laying down and rolling in the well-padded open stall before she lumbered upright again in time to see the humans leave. The next morning Lilyanna stood at the edge of the barn, watching the light of the early morning sun dance across the paddock. Her heart raced as she glanced at the new addition to her farm. She had always dreamed of taking part in the Loshenka makeover challenge, but she never imagined it would start with a horse like #6525 after grooming her and checking her hooves Lilyanna had let her out. Now, beneath the live oaks in the pasture that shaded part of the dry lot, #6525 stood a few paces away, her glossy coat and traditionally thick, silky tail reflecting the sun in patches, though it did little to hide the heavy weight she carried. The mare was beautiful, no doubt with her gold pearl snowflake Appaloosa coat, but her body was rounder than it should have been, and her hooves, though strong-looking at first glance, betrayed her suffering with each hesitant step. Lilyanna had noted this as she led her to the dry lot this morning where the ground was softer for her. #6525 looked around her new enclosure and sighed as there were no treats or food out for her but water and salt licks scattered around which she guessed made it okay. The girl who groomed her this morning must have forgotten to bring the caramel candy she thought as she walked on the softer sand. #6525 watched as another girl spoke with the first one and switched her tail content for now though her green eyes waited to see if treats and attention were coming yet. “Are you sure about this?” Lilyanna's best friend, Olivia, asked, leaning against the barn door. “I mean, she’s... not exactly the typical challenge horse. Laminitis. Obesity. It’s a big risk.” Lilyanna smiled faintly, watching as #6525 shifted her weight awkwardly. “She’s a challenge, alright. But I’ve always wanted to take on something others shy away from. Maybe she’s the one who needs me more... not just the other way around.” Olivia raised an eyebrow. “She’s got a lot of work ahead. You sure you’re ready for that?” “I’m ready. I have to be. I can't let this beautiful girl down.” Lilyanna’s eyes softened as she walked to the dry lot and approached #6525 slowly, her hand outstretched. #6525’s gaze flicked curiously to her, but the mare tilted her ears forward even though to her disgust no treat was offered but she didn’t pull away. “Hey, girl. Ready for a fresh start?” The horse snorted softly, her large, green eyes seeming to hold a quiet wisdom that made Lilyanna feel both hopeful and a bit intimidated. Despite the clear signs of pain in her movements, there was something in #6525’s expression that made Lilyanna believe she still had a chance. #6525 hoped this time maybe she might get back to no pain again after all she wasn't some old biddy yet! The first few weeks were harder than Lilyanna and #6525 had anticipated. #6525’s chronic laminitis made every step a careful decision. The vet had explained that the inflammation in her hooves was constant—an ongoing battle with every step, and it would require careful management if Lilyanna wanted her to live a more comfortable life, let alone undergo any real transformation. Hearing this #6525 resigned herself to the weird boring diet and the long slow walks. Lilyanna spent hours researching treatments, from specialized shoes to supplements. She learned about the delicate balance between reducing #6525’s weight and keeping her hooves safe. Slowly, she began altering #6525’s diet, cutting back on carbohydrate-rich and sugar-rich feeds and introducing a low-starch, high-fiber plan. #6525 was not happy at the new diet and made sure to let her opinions be known. "Your old owners sure messed your diet up with all those carbohydrates and treats girl." Lilyanna sighed as she worked out the new diet and exercise plan. The weight loss was a slow process, but it was a necessary one. Too much weight on her hooves meant too much pressure, and that only made the laminitis worse. Lilyanna worked with a farrier to create custom shoes that would help redistribute #6525’s weight more evenly. Every day, she checked on her, ensuring that #6525 was comfortable, even when she seemed restless. But it wasn’t just the physical transformation Lilyanna needed to focus on. #6525 had lived a life of indulgence where the owner had given her extra feed and treats to make her happy resulting in the past year of her suffering with the chronic lameness pain and hardship of being overweight. She was also spoiled by attention and that Lilyanna knew needed to be dealt with before she became nippy. “Come on, girl,” Lilyanna whispered one afternoon, walking beside #6525 as the mare limped slowly along the path. “You can do this. We can do this.” The soft clop of hooves on the gravel was a reminder that they were in this together. Lilyanna began to teach #6525 small things—how to walk on softer footing, how to navigate a trail with less strain on her body. Slowly, she could see the glimmer of trust starting to return in #6525’s eyes. Lilyanna was learning that, just like her, the horse wasn’t just fighting physical challenges, but emotional ones, too. As the months passed, Lilyanna began to notice changes, both in #6525’s body and her attitude. The weight had started to come off, and with each pound, the strain on #6525’s hooves eased slightly. There were still days when her legs would shake with the effort, but Lilyanna could see the determination growing in the mare. She was fighting, just like her.