Raymon Wargaki

It has been well over 3 years since I pulled out of the vet's facility and couldn't see the road through my tears. I pulled into a rest area hoping to collect myself and wrap my head around this nightmare. I called my husband, "He's done," I said. I explained what Doc had told me, "We should be able to maintain him for this season, if we're lucky, maybe two." Doc injected his knees, hocks and navicular bones, seemed like every joint the poor horse had, he got poked. "He's navicular, which we know, but, he's got a hard job and he is 15. Time has taken its toll, Dawn." I was devastated.

I bought Lil Ronnies Brother about 3 years before that trip to Docs. We were well on our way to making a name for ourselves in the barrel-racing world. Brother had many championships under his belt, and I had big dreams for this horse. Besides being a great athlete, he was a total gentleman, the complete package. They say we’ll have "the one" out there somewhere for us. Well, I finally had him.

From the time I bought Brother, his feet were our biggest problem. He would twist out of shoes constantly, which in turn required more holes in his non-existent hoof wall. Along with the fact he was flat footed and abscessed constantly, his front right was also crooked below the knee and he landed on his outside. I spent more time doctoring abscesses than I did riding. After going through some highly recommended farriers, my husband suggested I call Ray. He has been a good friend of my husband’s family for years. I was clinging to hope that someone could help this horse. I knew something just wasn't right, but I couldn't pin point it, and it was getting worse. Brother started bulking when we were entering the alley, he would ring his tail while we were running and just wasn't firing like he should. He was hurting, but no one could pin point the source. I had several different vets, chiropractors, dentists and nutritional advisors that I had collaborated with. No one could narrow the problem down. After Ray came on board, he did make many improvements. We weren't loosing shoes and the abscesses began to decrease in numbers. But, we were still stumped. That is what led me to that particular vet I mentioned. He came highly recommended and specialized in performance horses.

So, a few months after our prognosis, Ray told me he was going to meet with Martin and he was going to tell him about Brother and see what he thought. After spending some time with Martin, Ray came back to the barn and was truly excited. He thought he might be able to help Brother. As I listened to him explaining this method of hoof reconstruction, I wanted to be excited, but I kept thinking, "Maybe two seasons, he's done."  Ray said that I would have to commit to this. Every 4 weeks we were to reset. I was skeptical, but I thought what else did I have to loose?

I started to see a difference immediately. After Ray would trim one foot, Brother would plant it square under him. No more pointing, no more tugging on Ray when he had to stand on 3 legs. After we finished the first trim, we turned Brother out in the indoor and he wouldn't leave Ray's side! I was shocked; Brother only did that with me. Ray was laughing and started to walk around the arena in circles and figure eights, and Brother was right behind his every step. By the second reset I had a new horse. Brother was eager to enter the arena, trying to run out from under me at times. He had flattened his running style back out and was hunting his barrels again! No more tail ringing and he was back to stopping the clock and getting in the money.

I was happy with the results, but wasn't completely sure this was the reason for the cure. The time came when Brother was due for his next injections. We decided to wait and see how he would continue to work with out the "maintenance" shots. He just kept running harder and winning more barrel races. Brother is now 18 as of 3 weeks ago and he is out running his times from 6 years ago. This past summer he was ridden by an amateur youth. He has out run some of the best barrel horses on the east coast. Coming in third out of over 200 head at the Tri-State Classic behind the great Joe B Jammin, a multiple World Champion Barrel Horse and multiple Quarter Horse Congress Sweepstakes Champion, with second being taken by Idaho Doc's Gold (aka Mighty Mouse), multiple WPRA money winner and who is now being offered for sale at $90,000. Many of Brother's wins can be verified at www.ibra.us/shows/oh. Brother also placed 9th at the All American Quarter Horse Congress out of over 200 horses. All of these accomplishments have been achieved with no injections or invasive procedures as were done before. The only thing that has changed in Brothers training program has been the hoof reconstruction. People are in shock when I tell them that my 18 year old barrel horse doesn't so much as stock up after being stalled for a week with only shavings to cover the concrete while at Congress.

After all of this, people are still skeptical of this process. The competitor in me doesn't mind though. With Ray's help, Brother and I will continue to collect our winnings and I will continue to tell our story. I will never be able to express my appreciation enough to Ray or Martin for what they have done for Brother.

— Dawn McElhaney

I can't say enough good things about what I've seen Ray do and what he has done for my own horse. His knowledge and heart is the best. He truly puts his soul into what he does.

— Gretchen Carter