We’re delighted that Bengal, who belongs to Grand Prix dressage rider and Pinkham Equine client Fay Lai, is now back in full work following surgery earlier this year to remove bone spurs from both forelegs. After undergoing 3 months of careful rehabbing under the watchful eye of our vet Rich Bristow, who oversees the vet work for all of Fay’s horses, Fay reports that Bengal is now “feeling great and very fresh”.
Bengal is a 13 year old Hanoverian gelding who has competed up to Grand Prix in Dressage with Fay. They train with GB European Team Gold medallist Gareth Hughes and last week was Bengal’s first time back training with Gareth since completing his rehab and fittening work post-surgery. Fay said: “I’m so pleased to have Bengal back and feeling great. Rich is an important part of our team and his early detection of a problem with Bengal and subsequent referral to Donnington Grove Equine Hospital for surgery has meant that after months of a strict rehab programme, I now have my horse of a lifetime back on track.”
From diamond in the rough to horse of a lifetime
Bengal’s talent between the white boards, however, wasn’t always obvious. Fay, who also runs a livery yard and riding school, spotted him at a riding school 4½ years ago, where she had gone to buy some ponies. She discovered that he displayed ‘challenging behaviour’ and ‘also had breathing difficulties’, but she saw something in his potential and decided to buy him too. Following a successful tie-back operation, a long recovery and a complete change in his routine and training, Fay has worked very hard to progress up the levels in dressage with Bengal, who she now regards as her ‘horse of a lifetime’.
Fay is now feeling very positive about next season and her competition goal with Bengal will be to compete at Grand Prix in some international classes. The team at Pinkham Equine will of course be supporting them and we will share news of their progress over the coming months. We wish them the very best of luck!
Read more about Fay and Bengal here.
Image: Hoof Prints