Isiss’ Update, Fall 2009

Isiss truly impresses everyone she meets with her beauty and grace. The astonishing progress she has continued to make has exceeded all expectations. Isiss is an integral part of BPT Outreach Foundation, as the most sought after “wish horse.” Isiss also teaches novices to ride in the arena and on the trail, as her youngest student started under the age of 3. Isiss also carries many seniors on the trail as well.  Her spirit is endless, and her patience, a powerful gift. Isiss teaches advanced riders how to canter with grace, change leads on a dime, and side-pass with finesse. Isiss was the most amazing gift a client ever gave me. Thank you Susan!
                                       Bethany Pappani, Owner/Trainer

Isiss’ Inspiration, “Youth Wishes”

In December of 2008, BPT set out to change the lives of local San Diego community youth with the introduction of The “Youth Wishes” Scholarship Program. Children, many under challenging circumstances, were given the opportunity to interact closely with horses. Isiss soon became a vital part of this program, as she presents children with endless opportunities “For Healing, For Discovering, For Dreaming” through her amazing patience, gentle spirit, and loving nature

Student Testimonials:  “What Isiss Means to Me”            

Isiss is the sweetest horse for anyone to ride. She is smooth and likes to be ridden. When I first started I had no idea what I was doing and Bethany started me on Isiss. That horse is the most patient horse in the entire world. She is helping me to learn to ride just as much as Bethany.

Dawn, Age 14

Isiss is one of my favorite horses at Windfall ranch because she never spooks and she is very patient. I was a little afraid to ride when I first came to Bethany, but Isiss made me feel confident.

Sedona, Age 11

Isiss is my favorite horse at Windfall Ranch. She is very gentle and sweet. She takes care of me when we go for a ride. I love it when she makes silly faces :)

Olivia, Age 8

Client Testimonials

Isiss is the epitome of equestrian grace and nobility. Full of confidence, dignified in all things, and forever generous of spirit. 

Isiss must know that Bethany rescued her when all others had given up hope. Her dramatic rehabilitation is a testimony to her own strength and the commitment of people like Bethany who will spend whatever time it takes and spare no cost to give this horse the chance to triumph over adversary. Isiss has repaid her debt 1000 times and continues to demonstrate that given the right help – a horse can contribute to the lives of so many.

Knowing Isiss is a real privilege and honor. I may meet many horses in this life but few will hold such a special place in my heart.                 

Catherine Hale-Pillsbury

My relationship with Isiss is one of deep respect, friendship and great love.  She is truly one of the most diverse and giving horses I have ever had the pleasure to interact with.  I have had the great joy to be on her bareback and to ride her with saddle on trails and the arena.  She is exceptional in that she adjusts to each and every human she interacts with whatever the age, experience, physical, mental or emotional state.  Isiss has given me confidence in the saddle, tenderness and patience on the ground and offered me great compassion when I was recuperating from a bad fall off another horse.  Whenever I am at Windfall, I always set aside time to spend with Isiss – just sharing space, grooming or a bath or sometimes a ride.  My time with Isiss is always lovely and I am grateful to have this beautiful mare in my life and in my heart. Thank you Isiss and Thank you Bethany for bringing her into your (and our) lives!

Elizabeth Loper

Isiss’ Story

Isiss is a 18 year old Andalusian mare. She was two time National Champion in Western Pleasure. Isiss arrived at Foothill Arabians in December of 2006. When she came off the trailer I was quite honestly horrified. Isiss was so crippled, to watch her try and move was sickening. Her feet where in terrible shape. They were too short and so misshapen, her legs stood on the ground crooked. She had moderate to severe arthritis. She was foundered & she was morbidly obese, presumably due to the fact that she could barely move. She had been kept on Bute daily for at least 8 months. The weight tape reads to up to 1375lbs. I couldn’t reach the tape the full way around her girth. She had a huge crest in her neck. I suspected thyroid problems, possibly Cushings. The prognosis was grim.

Isiss’ Rehabilitation

The first order of business was getting Valerie of to pull those shoes.(yes, someone actually DID that to her feet!). Valerie Jaques, CF was on site within 12 hours to pull Isiss’ shoes and trim her feet. Isiss had FOUR DIFFERENT FEET! The back left was a full size smaller that the right, one high inside, one high on the outside. Her front feet were mechanically foundered. (Hoof wall shearing away from the coffin bone.) Both front feet had 2 miles of heel and were full of fever rings from the laminitis. Valerie pulled the shoes and trimmed her feet. Within 20 minutes the hooves expanded and the shape started to normalize. I stopped the Bute immediately. We needed to see how much pain she was actually in. After the trim however, she was actually much better even off the Bute. Isiss was put on a strict diet of rationed quality grass hay and a bucket once daily consisting of wheat bran mixed with Forco* probiotic, a good hoof/joint supplement, Immune One Powder** (for the arthritis and general immune system boost), Equine Tahitian Noni Juice*** (also for the arthritis and general immune system boost), and corn oil.

The vet did blood work her first week here to test for Cushings and check her thyroid. Fortunately, her blood work was normal. So the real work began. I started with hand walks and stretching. Isiss was treated by Equine Chiropractor, Dr. Cheryl Ricketts-Mulvey. Valerie Jaques, CF did follow up trims every 3 weeks to normalize the feet. I used Magnetic Hock boots on her for several hours a day, as her hocks seems to suffer the most arthritic symptoms. Within a month we were free longing her. She had lost 250lbs! I’m now riding Isiss with light work a couple of days a week. This horse was a candidate to be put down. She is now practically pain free, working & frolicking again.

Cushings Syndrome also known as Hyperadrenocorticism, is caused by a benign tumor in the Pituitary gland. Since the Pituitary gland governs the entire endocrine system it can cause many conditions.

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