JJK Equestrian

Bernie humbled me this month.

About three months ago, he blew an abscess that left a McDonald’s-arches-shaped tract across his heel. It dried up, stayed quiet, behaved. I clocked it, monitored it, and moved on.

Then the weather went wet, cold, wet, cold on repeat. That old abscess tract became a perfect hiding place for thrush. I missed it by the time I found it, it was multiple inches deep. Giant feet problems

The thrush tunneled and triggered another abscess. Bernie became progressively lamer, especially at the walk. Trot and canter he was mostly fine, which honestly made it harder to read. He’s sensitive enough that hoof testing is basically useless, so I had to trust the full picture instead.

I kept him turned out as much as possible and focused on support over panic. I put him on immune support from Silver Lining Herbs, which noticeably helped him. I soaked his foot in Epsom salt with arnica for pain relief and added iodine for bacterial control, both to manage the thrush and encourage any abscess to show itself.

I also added Tomorrow, a prescription intramammary antibiotic for cows, that yes I use on feet, my vet provided, to address the thrush deep in the heel. On top of that, I put him on Equinox. Enough to keep him comfortable and moving, but not so much that he forgot he's sore. Circulation matters.

When he came in swollen from the knee down, I knew infection was involved somewhere.

Thankfully, tonight, the abscess finally came out at his coronet band. Gross, but a relief. The pressure finally had somewhere to go.

Just a reminder. Even when you kinda know what you’re doing, feet will still find a way to humble you.

Bernie is already more comfortable, and now it’s just about clean drainage and growing good foot back down.

Sharing this because sometimes it’s not about missing something obvious. Sometimes it’s just horses, hooves, and timing.

Honestly, he's such a good boy when you have to do stuff to make him feel better. But I would prefer not having to do dr Jocelyn stuff 🤦🏾

Transparency moment of a part of horse ownership that kind of stinks.

Horses, like Bernie’s big dumb ass, are always one bad decision away from a very large vet bill. With three horses, that risk is basically triplicate. I wanted something more intentional than just crossing my fingers and hoping the emergency fund is enough if something truly wild happens. 🤞🏽

Sharing this because horse ownership is expensive enough without feeling like you’re guessing in the dark, or like you wish you would have known.

A lot of people ask how I handle insurance with multiple horses, and the honest answer is that I stopped trying to make it emotional. I try to make it understandable.

This is ASPCA accident, illness, and colic coverage. It is not mortality insurance. I’m using it strictly as medical backup, not as a replacement for budgeting or end of life decisions.

When I look at insurance, I start with one question: what am I actually trying to protect myself from?

For me, that’s the big, unpredictable stuff. Colic. Hospital stays. Diagnostics that spiral quickly. The moments where I want decisions guided by what’s best for the horse, not what’s left in the bank account.

So, I keep a $7,000 annual limit, because that number gets hit fast in real emergencies.

I landed at 80% reimbursement because it’s a strong middle ground. It meaningfully reduces out of pocket costs in a bad year without paying extra every month for coverage I’m unlikely to use. I paired that with a deductible that reflects reality: I can handle the smaller, expected stuff, and I want insurance involved when something real happens.

I do carry a preventive care add on, because it quietly offsets predictable costs like dental work, vaccines, Coggins, and bloodwork. No deductible, no waiting period, just a little breathing room on expenses I already know are coming.

None of this is about having the “perfect” plan. It’s about not guessing. It’s about understanding how the coverage actually works, how your barn budget actually functions, and choosing a setup that lets you sleep at night without overpaying out of fear.

Different horses need different approaches. Different owners have different comfort levels. But if you’re staring at insurance options wondering if you’re doing it wrong, you’re not. You’re just trying to make a thoughtful decision in a sport that rarely talks openly about money.

Sharing in case this helps another horse person feel a little less alone, and a little more confident making choices that work for their horses and their real lives.

Three years ago, you came into my life and into my heart in a way I’ll never forget. We didn’t just meet… we found each other. Going through all the pictures I have of you, us, and our adventures, it’s clear that from the very first days I knew you were something rare... the kind of horse you don’t just own but partner with, trust with your soul, and dream alongside.

We’ve had our challenges, but every step, every ride, and every quiet moment in the barn has built something unshakable.

You’ve come so far, from a rough start in the kill pen to the strong, gleaming, fit athlete you are today. You’ve gained weight, muscle, and confidence. You’ve taken me to clinics and shows I once only dreamed of attending. You’ve made me a better rider, sometimes the hard way, and we’ve somehow ended up schooling a very “unique” mix of movements: collected canter, half pass, piaffe, passage... a little bit this and that and 100% us.

Without you, I never would have had the chance to raise a strong, beautiful two-year-old filly or the confidence to pull Bermie from the kill pen, scraggly as he was, and believe in what he could become.

And it’s not just what you’ve done in the arena. You’ve brought amazing humans into my life.

In three years, you’ve given me confidence, purpose, friendships, and the kind of joy that only comes from knowing your heart horse is waiting for you.

I can’t wait for the miles ahead: the shows, the trails, the gallops, the quiet grazes... all of it, you’re my once-in-a-lifetime horse, my partner, my friend, my heart.
Here’s to our past, our present, and all the adventures still to come.

Love always,
Happy 3 Year Gotcha Day Big Girl