Progress
The summer of 2024 passed by quietly. Mac was steadily improving in his lessons with Lindsay – feeling stronger, more supple, and even able to canter comfortably during sessions. Away from the school, he seemed to enjoy hacking more than ever. He was alert, taking in the world around him, and even spooking occasionally at familiar objects like dustbins.
This was new. It felt like he was waking up – seeing the world for the first time. I began to believe we were finally on the road to recovery and that Mac would become the pony we had always hoped for. I had no idea what was about to happen next.
Meeting Alex – And a New Way of Thinking
Lindsay introduced me to Alex, and with that introduction came an entirely new area of learning. Alex explained a condition called KPU (Kryptopyrroluria), and the conversation that followed opened my eyes to possibilities I had never considered.
Our first discussion was long and scientific. Alex spoke about toxins, the liver, and the gut – explaining how a horse can become overloaded with toxins when the body cannot process and expel them correctly. Over time, this leads to a decline in health as the gut function deteriorates.
Most importantly, Alex suggested that many of the symptoms we associate with PSSM2/MIM may not be directly caused by the genetic condition itself, but instead by toxin overload. By following the KPU protocol, she said, there was a strong chance we could address the root cause – and potentially resolve the PSSM2 symptoms completely.
From Managing Symptoms to Finding the Cause
The idea was both exciting and logical. For months, we had been treating the known symptoms of PSSM2, but Alex’s explanation made me realise we might have been addressing the wrong thing. I had information from Lindsay that other horses on the protocol displayed significant signs of improvement.
The plan was simple but thorough:
- Arrange a comprehensive set of blood tests through the vet.
- Send the results to Alex and her mentor, Dr Fritz.
- Receive a personalised programme of medicinal herbs based on the test results.
- Stop all current PSSM2 supplements – which were, in her words, “a sticking plaster” – and focus on eliminating the real cause.
I was completely on board. The tests were ordered, and we waited for our tailored plan of action to arrive.
Waiting for Answers
Those next few weeks seemed to stretch on forever. I was filled with anticipation and more than a little impatience – after all, this felt like the key to unlocking Mac’s full recovery. I couldn’t wait to see what the bloodwork revealed and to start a programme that might change everything.
Mac and Me 