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Martine & her horse
"Gabby" - 09-10-2001 + Update 08-30-2002
 
Hello,
Sid!
I called you from my car as I was rushing to the vet back in May. We talked
about the mask and I had certain questions about using it at night and
riding with it on. You were very confident that it was safe, even for
jumping. You talked about several clients that jumped with it, even at Grand
Prix level. I was skeptical, and replied - "yes, I'm sure some people
will try it - but is it WISE to do it? Some people will do anything!"
OK,
here it is almost 6 months later, and I finally have pictures to send you
showing my horse jumping in the mask. We have been showing over fences all
summer!! She has absolutely no vision loss with the mask that I can tell. I
have taken her to two shows where we had NO opportunity to warm up over the
fences. Both places we had never even been to before! Each time we went in
the ring cold, and nailed the jump course on our first round! We even won
our very first hunter over fences class!!
Last month I got brave and took her to an open jumper show - our first. We
had three perfect rounds, made it to the jump off, and ended up 6th out of
20 entries in our division. (we could have gone somewhat faster - we are
really hunters by birth!!)
Each
time I have had lots of people staring and asking questions. As we walked
out of the ring, I had people ask, "Can that horse see??" and I'd
say, "Well, obviously!!" as I held up my ribbon with a huge grin
on my face!
I've shown under 3 different judges. Each show I have asked ahead of time
for permission to use the mask. They were all very understanding and didn't
have any problems with it. One was an AQHA judge and he placed us 1st in an
under saddle class. He told me after the show that he wasn't sure if there
were actually any rules against it, but it might not be allowed in a
recognized AQHA show. But for unrecognized shows, jumpers, and eventing,
there should be no rules against it.
Gabby wears her guardian
mask whenever I ride her or she is out in daylight. She has a lightweight
mesh mask with ears that she wears at night and in the stall. She doesn't
seem to have any trouble seeing with the guardian mask at night, but it was
getting pretty beat up and dirty and I had to clean it all the time.
It took me a long time to get up the nerve to take her on a trail ride with
the mask since we have dense woods and also bright areas. She has always
been REALLY spooky and very suspicious of new things. I was prepared for a
wild ride, but she was so calm and relaxed. We've been going trail riding at
least once a week now, and she hasn't done a real spook yet. I was worried
for nothing!
The mask is also great for
dusty arenas, keeping hay and sawdust out, and weeds and thorns. This is why
she wears hers 24/7. The only downside is rain. I worry that she won't be
able to see when it is wet. But I found a solution. When the forecast calls
for rain I remove the eyepiece over her "good" eye so she can have
unobstructed vision.
She hasn't had any flare-ups since the one in May. I'm not calling her
cured, though. Each month that goes by is a victory. She gets her aspirin
twice a day and wears her mask, and I'm very careful about not getting
anything in her eyes. Things are looking good!!! (no pun intended)
Thanks, Sid, I am a Guardian Mask lover!
Martine Sherrill
and the "MYSTERY HORSE" - Gabby
Update
03-30-2002
Dear Sid,
This is an update on Gabby - to add to our testimonial on showing and jumping:
I've had my Guardian Mask for over a year now and it still is in great shape.
I've been taking Gabby to lots of horse shows. She wears her mask during
competition and ALL of the judges have been very agreeable and even compliment
me on using good sense, and caring enough about my horse to use it at shows.
We had a clean sweep in the hunter over fences division this summer at a show.
Here is a picture of us with all of our gold medals and championship ribbons. We
won the over fences championship, the under saddle reserve championship, and I
was high point rider for the day!
Folks are getting used to seeing Gabby at shows with her mask - I've overheard
them saying - "There's the mystery horse again!"
She hasn't had an ERU flare up in over five months. I'm hoping we have the
problem licked, or it will continue only in a mild form for years to come.
All the best to you and yours!
Martine Sherrill and Girl Talk King (Gabby)
Bowie, Maryland
Thank you Martine for both the
original testimonial and fabulous update one year later and
congratulations on your accomplishments with Gabby!
One of the most rewarding benefits
of having a product work is being able to help your horse live a
productive and normal life and to know there is help. Best of luck in all your future
events with Gabby!
Guardian
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