A Letter From Katy Barr, Head Groom to HRH The Princess Royal

He was in training for a season and showed promise, but has yet to achieve much. Once I picked him up from training, we quickly worked out why…

Cloudy is a naturally quiet and reserved horse, but genuine and will try his heart out for you. He is also a really nervous, worried little soul. Although he loves to run, jump and race, the setup of a trainer just didn’t work for him and his brain.

I brought Cloudy home from training on the 14th May 2019. I nearly burst into tears when I finally walked him off the truck at home. He was a welfare case. He was hollow, ribby, and I could feel every backbone and cup both hands around his hip bones.

Instead of eating he would crib and was generally too worried and distracted to fill his belly. Along with poor appetite, Cloudy was depressed and nervous, grumpy and cross. He was a mess, mentally and physically. We were all sad—sad that he felt like he did and sad that if he’d had slightly different management he may not be in this state.

I turned to some friends looking for advice, and they pointed me to SUCCEED. I needed to sort his guts out, and then we could hopefully sort the rest with time. I had heard good things, but we needed a miracle—without vet intervention.

There are so many things that have changed along with Cloudy’s digestive health, including that we now have a more receptive and calmer horse. His understanding of what I’m asking him is greatly improved because he’s listening and trying rather than climbing the walls to get away from me and whatever I’m trying to do or ask of him.

The most noticeable difference is in the truck. Anyone who knows Cloudy will tell you he doesn’t load. The furor when I picked him up was mad, and they were going through it a couple of times a week! When I got him home that first day, he was in a white lather when I unloaded him.

Recently, we took him to use a water treadmill (something in itself I wouldn’t have contemplated a couple of months ago). He walked on quietly the first time, then traveled like the true pro he is. He stood like a rock while we got him ready to treadmill, which he did willingly. Then, he went straight back on the truck and quietly home, cool as a cucumber at both ends.

Cloudy is still a huge work in progress. All the muscle you can see on him we have built from scratch. He will not carry an ounce of fat at this point, so we have had to devise ways to keep him eating all the time. Give me a couple more months, and I’ll have the lovely, round shape I’m aspiring for!