By MARGIE SLOAN
Gina Hluska, founder of Elite Equine Rescue & Rehab in Colorado Springs is making comebacks bigger than setbacks for her four legged rehab residents. The blending of scientific and holistic modalities proves to be the winning protocol for performance horses facing the challenge of returning to work.
A certified veterinary technician, nutritionist, kinesiologist, equine psychologist and naturopath, Gina has seen it all, done it all, and continues to discover new ways to heal horses with serious and often catastrophic conditions. Many of her patients face the end of their careers or euthanasia. Gina and her staff treat both rescue horses and privately owned horses at Elite Equine Rescue & Rehab which is both a private rehab facility and a 501 c3 non-profit organization.
A life-long horsewoman, Gina enjoyed many years as a show jumper, dressage student, and even a stint as a trick rider in the Arabian Nights Theater. But it was her experience as an assistant trainer and veterinary assistant at both Delaware and Florida Thoroughbred race tracks that inspired her to become an equine rehab specialist.
While working trackside, on farm calls and in the surgery suite, Gina saw far too many horses put down because owners didn’t see the point in seeking viable alternatives that might take time; time being the kill word as there were always more horses available. Although the race track wasn’t their proving ground, Gina saw unrealized potential in the horses for new careers in every discipline.
The convenient ending for these horses was unacceptable to Gina. She made the decision to go back to school and obtain several certifications in treating the myriad problems that performance horses face. Gina learned the entirety of a horse’s body and mind, knowledge that she says continues to be revealed daily through every horse that comes to her.
There is no end to learning the communication of a horse to a human. It goes on exponentially. They tell us in their own way.
“We have to learn to recognize pain, locate its origin and then begin the treatment,” said Gina
In 2018, Gina started the non-profit segment of her business so that she could work with rescue organizations and give at-risk horses the specific care they need to heal and get a second chance at a purposeful life. The non-profit segment allows Gina to raise funds for necessary surgeries, customized supportive veterinary provisions, dental and hoof care, plus the purchase of state of the art therapeutic equipment, including an on-site salt cave.
The privately owned horses and the rescuees each receive that same quality of care. They come from all over and with every imaginable problem including fractures, soft tissue damage, kissing spine, trailer accidents, post surgical complications, abuse, malnutrition, and neglect.
“Our patients come from the show ring, the rodeo, the race track, the polo field, the backyard, the range, and the parade. We’ve treated a mustang, a mini horse, polo ponies, several OTTBs, and even a $250,000 Grand Prix Jumper,” said Gina.
“We focus on giving performance horses the proper rehab and retraining to give them a new skill set–helping them to be more readily adoptable. Pairing the horse with the right owner is paramount to a second career and a happy life.”
No matter the pedigree or the humble beginnings of each equine patient, the goal is the same: being able to restore the animal to optimum health and ability. Gina finds that horses often perform better than before their injury as the entire horse is treated and not just the afflicted area. Much of that is psychological.
Addressing the fear that is associated with trauma and pain, Gina and her staff provide a boutique stress free environment where the horse can remain calm, receive treatment necessary for its recovery, and rest while the body is recuperating. Once ready, strength and endurance are addressed.
The path to wellness can include laser therapy, electromagnetic pulse therapy, acupressure, massage, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Videos are taken and studied. This data is invaluable for the next horse with similar challenges.
Nutrition is also key to the healing process. Many of the newly admitted horses have gastrointestinal issues. Once evaluated for dietary needs, each horse is given a specific meal plan.
“We feed a bland diet of high quality hay, beet pulp based grain that is soaked for easier digestion, and a proprietary blend of herbs and supplements,” said Gina.
If there’s one miraculous recovery at Elite Equine Rescue that Gina and her staff can brag about, it is the death row mustang that is now completing a 7,000 mile cross country trail ride with his forever human. The horse that Gina named Renato (born again) began his life as a wildie in New Mexico.
Renato was rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management at age three, gelded and adopted out to a teenager who used him in a drill team for several years. He came to Gina as a ten year old through the Colorado Unwanted Horse Rescue Network. The mustang sustained a gastrocnemius and calcaneal tendon tear with his left hock partially severed. His future was grim and his owners surrendered him.
“It was difficult getting him in and out of the trailer as he couldn’t put weight on his leg and was in pain. He had been treated initially at an emergency vet clinic before coming to me. His treatment began with an Equitape application underneath a Robert-Jones bandage to support the leg and a custom welded splint was made to keep him upright. We placed him in a high tie with restricted movement for nearly two months. We then began countless hours of laser, electro magnetic pulse therapy, kinesiology taping and massage therapies that involved isometric exercises,” said Gina.
Renato’s recovery exceeded expectations in only ten months.
“Many were skeptical and second guessed my decision to take this case. I made a promise to Renato the day he came to me that as long as he was willing to try, so was I. My daughter and the entire staff fell in love with this stoic horse. Love was the most healing part of his daily medication and he knew it!”
Gina was then faced with finding the perfect partner who knew mustangs, could correct pushy stallion-like behavior on the ground and couple that with love and affection. Not an easy task!
“Jake Harvath was just that person, having trained mustangs for the 100 Day Mustang Makeover, working under the tutelage of some great trainers and willing to take the time with this amazing horse,” said Gina
Now called Eddy, this rescued horse is now an ambassador for his brethren as he completes the cross country trek to raise awareness on the endurance and agility of mustangs.
Second in bragging rights is the story of a surrendered Zangersheide jumper (1.49 m) with a displacement in his cervical spine causing crippling pain, inflammation and nerve impingement. His discomfort exhibited as a front leg lameness. It was doubtful that his magnificent horse would ever jump again. Gina conferred with her local veterinarian and confirmed the c-spine diagnosis.
“We began treatment with chiropractic PEMF, laser and kinesiology. Then, we added specific herbs and anti-inflammatory supplements to his grain and changed his shoes. Following that, we started lunging him in the Equicore system to rebuild muscle and strengthen his core. A month later, his gait was normal. He started jumping fences in our arena on his own because he loved it! His new owner is a teen who adores him and competes with him.”
Sharing her knowledge and to help support the rescue part of her facility, Gina conducts clinics on horsemanship and foundational training, first aid, kinesiology, and myofascial release-free rein healing.
We all want healthy and bright futures for our horses. Yet we know that accidents and ailments happen. What began years ago as a concept to save deserving horses is now a growing reality for Elite Equine Rescue & Rehab. With the help of the Kirkpatrick Foundation, a second location in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado will open before the end of the year.
