Patient Stories


Beyond X-Rays and Test Results

For years I had been in love with a horse named Freeway, an imported champion jumper, owned and ridden by a friend at the Beth Cadwallader’s Malibu training barn. When I had the opportunity to purchase this magnificent horse, the timing was terrible. I was scheduled to go in for lumbar spine fusion surgery the next week and Freeway was also in need of medical intervention.

Dr. Stevens recommended a trip to Alamo Pintado Equine Hospital for in-depth testing. A bone scan revealed that he would need an operation and 6-8 months of recovery, about the same as my prognosis. Even then, it was questionable whether either of us would ever jump again.

Dr. Stevens had been Freeway’s vet for several years and had been my vet and friend for a long time. When I consulted with him about the sanity of buying Freeway despite his condition, I was afraid he would tell me the obvious – not to spend good money on a lame horse.

However, Dr. Stevens is well known for having a quality that is rare in the veterinary field. He understands that every animal and person are different. He told me that he had seen x-rays like Freeway’s for other horses that could barely walk. Yet, Freeway ignored his ailments and was always enthusiastic about doing anything.

In essence, Dr. Stevens confirmed my own gut feelings that this horse had tremendous heart. Whether or not jumping was in either of our futures, he knew Freeway was a wonderful horse and we would make a great team – even if that meant only trail riding. Because he knew me and understood the lengths I go to in caring for my animals, Dr. Steve’s encouraged me. I think he realized that – together – Freeway and I might heal each other.

A year after our surgeries, both Freeway and I were ready to return to the show circuit. It was a rough road with a lot of painful rehabilitation, but we traveled it together. Dr. Stevens and the other fine vets and staff at CVVH were with us all the way with great vet care 24/7 as well as encouragement and moral support.

That spring, Freeway and I were amateur Jumper Champions at Indio and Bakersfield, winning blues in classes of over 100. Over the next four years, we competed together in the 3-Day Events at Pebble Beach, Moorpark and Showpark, consistently placing high. We won Year-End Jumper Champions in a variety of Divisions throughout Southern California, accumulating hundreds of blue ribbons and trophies. We became fixtures at the Santa Monica Mountains Park Trails where I rode or ponied Freeway between shows. We even made it around the Foxfield Derby Course, although he dipped a hoof in the Liverpool.

I felt it worthwhile to share this story because I feel good veterinarian medicine goes far beyond science. It is not just an x-ray or test result that determines the health and potential of a horse. The horse’s character also plays an important role. Sometimes, being a great vet means understanding the heart and soul of a horse and that of the person who loves him. Freeway’s surgery and healing process actually proved to be therapy for my own recovery. I think Dr. Stevens and staff realized that long before I did.

Through those years, Dr. Stevens and the other CVVH vets took wonderful care of Freeway. I worked closely with Dr. Stevens and Dr. Mark Rick of Alamo Pintado to devise a strategy for keeping Freeway healthy, sound and happy. Years later, when it was finally time to say goodbye, Dr. Stevens was there with us to make Freeway’s passing as easy as possible.

None of us will ever forget Freeway. He was a great spirit and a unique individual. He lived in a pasture down the hill from the barn. When I would start my diesel truck rig, he would gallop up and lean over the fence as if to say, "Where are we going?” and “Don’t leave me behind!” His table manners were atrocious. He loved his warm bran mash and would slurp, smack his lips, and drool mash over 10 feet of fencing, much to the disgust of his fastidious stable mate mare, Ms. Sassy. Freeway would gobble down any food an unsuspecting human might leave unattended including hamburgers, spicy tuna rolls and, whenever possible, margaritas.

I am blessed to have known this horse and very grateful that Dr. Stevens didn’t discourage me when I had the chance to buy him. Instead he and his team were there to help all along the way through some of the happiest times of my life.

— Laurie Brecheen-Ballard