horse Flavio
Flavio, a KWPN warmblood, gets a whiff of healthy Gut Aiderbichl air
Flavio is a special-looking former dressage horse. He has been suffering from hoof cancer for three years. No expense or effort was spared by the owner and the best vets and farriers dealt with Flavio’s hooves, but the disease could not be beaten. Dieter Ehrengruber and his team of Gut Aiderbichl grooms in Henndorf agreed to take Flavio in.
What does KWPN mean?
The name KWPN is an abbreviation of the actual name of the horse breed and stands for Koninklijk Warmbloed Paard Nederland. The KWPN is a Dutch warmblood breed and is also often referred to as Dutch Warmblood. It first appeared in the 20th century. This popular warmblood was developed by crossing Gelderland and Groningen horses and by breeding with thoroughbreds. Lightness and jumping ability can be traced back to the lightly built Gelderlander. From the heavy Groninger, the warmblood has a strong stature, and the result of these components is a versatile and very resistant sport horse (source: KWPN in breed portrait | ehorses magazine).
Flavio - a modern, courageous and clever former dressage horse
In general, the KWPN is a modern sport horse that also goes into unfamiliar terrain and follows the rider’s instructions very quickly due to its intelligence. The horsekeepers at Gut Aiderbichl are currently learning that Flavio is a friendly and smart horse and was appreciated, loved and well looked after by his owner. Unfortunately, hoof cancer ended Flavio’s career in dressage and he was able to become an Aiderbichler.
Martin, groom at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf, describes Flavio as follows:
“Flavio is aware that he is huge, that he has grown big. He is muscular and simply a beauty full of grace. Yesterday he stood outside and enjoyed the sun.
It’s not just the horse girls who fall in love with Flavio’s firm, muscular body and his alert yet dreamy eyes! Our otherwise calm and relaxed mares have already taken notice of the beautiful Flavio and of course he feels it, the rascal, and poses even better!”.
The treatment of hoof cancer requires absolute trust between horse and human
Flavio was admitted a few weeks ago and in the meantime, trust has built up between him and his carers, the vet and the farrier. Trust is an important prerequisite for Flavio to have his hooves lifted and subsequently treated, which may not always be painless.
The treatment of the four cankered hooves has only been practised for a few days and we must not make any mistakes that might unsettle Flavio.
A special hoof cancer ointment is carefully and very gently applied to the cleaned hooves and then a soft bandage is applied. Flavio puts up with the procedure and perhaps senses that each of his humans wants the best for him. Patience and love are the order of the day.
There are no solutions in life. There are only forces that are in motion: You have to create them - and the solutions will follow.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
If you want to visit Flavio in Henndorf, look where all the mares are looking – Flavio is sure to be standing there!
By: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
