Lorraine Beaumont gently closed the patent law book. She would have liked to slam the book shut. Unfortunately, every other attorney would hear her do that, and that is not “professional.”

After years at this firm, Lorraine wanted to quit. She enjoyed working with inventors to get their ideas patented. But the boss had just told her she would never be a partner in the firm. Oh, not in so many words. “Why would an attorney ever use direct words?” Lorraine thought snarkily. “I don’t even think they can.”

Her dream of working hard and eventually being promoted to partner was gone. And it was just too late in her life to move to another firm. She could start her own practice, but that would never pay as well as being in a big league firm. Lorraine felt it was best to stay. She would keep her high income to pay for her horse. At least she had earned a 40-hour work week, unlike many of her friends from law school.

Besides, she had a better dream…reaching Grand Prix.

Lorraine’s dream goal

Lorraine’s horse, Tarzana, had just started schooling Fourth Level Dressage. Lorraine was so excited! Her new trainer, Geoff, was doing great. Tarzana had been having difficulty with flying changes. Luckily, one visit from a good chiropractor fixed that.

Lorraine loved being at the barn. She loved her horse. She loved showing. Tarzana loved showing too. You could tell. She just puffed up, saying, “Look at me. I have arrived. You may all bow down to me.”

Lorraine thought this was hilarious. Her horse became so filled with joy at the shows, that Lorraine felt joy too. That joy translated to charisma, and the judges rewarded that. Lorraine and Tarzana often won their classes, 67 being their lowest score. With the new trainer, Lorraine was certain they would start scoring in the 70’s.

The phone rang, jerking Lorraine from her musings. She saw the number was from her trainer. “Hello there Geoff! I thought Tarzana’s ride wasn’t until this afternoon.”

What’s wrong with her horse?

“No, no.” said Geoff. “You have to come now. Tarzana is colicking. Bad.”

“Did you call the vet?” Lorraine asked.

“Of course we called the vet. Even before you! Just get down here.” Geoff ‘s voice quavered. And with that, Lorraine started to feel panic.

The entire drive to the barn, Lorraine’s mind raced over colic details. Was Tarzana pawing, rolling, kicking at her belly? Lorraine’s closest friend had lost a horse to colic. It was horrific. Well, at least Lorraine had money for surgery. She would do anything for Tarzana.

When Lorraine arrived at the barn, everyone was hovering near Tarzana’s stall. She saw the vet.

“Dr. Johnson! I’m Lorraine Beaumont, Tarzana’s owner. Is she all right?” she blurted out in one quick breath.

Dr. Johnson replied, “Tarzana is going to be fine. It’s just a gas colic, and the Banamine seems to have taken care of it. Keep a close eye on her the next few days, and call me if anything seems off.”

But was Tarzana really ok?

“Oh thank God! And thank you Doctor, so much.” Lorraine felt like she could take a deep breath again. Her horse would be fine. Lorraine felt like she had dodged a bullet. If she didn’t have Tarzana, not only would she lose her best horse ever, but several years of training. Of course her horse was more important, but so were her goals of showing in the upper levels.

But Tarzana would be ok. They would keep going and together they would be successful and —dare she say it — even reach Grand Prix.

Over the next few days, Tarzana seemed fine. They even went to a show the next week. Tarzana performed well. Although Lorraine thought she wasn’t as bright and thrilled to be there as usual.

“Of course,” thought Lorraine, “I’m sure I’m just imagining it. It’s far more likely that Tarzana knows it’s only a local show. Haha!”

But then there was another gas colic. Not bad at all, but still worry-some.

“Why would she start colicking?” Lorraine asked the trainer.

“We did get a new batch of hay in,” Geoff suggested. “Maybe Tarzana has a sensitive stomach.”

Hmmm, thought Lorraine. She never had a sensitive stomach before. But maybe that’s it.

What was really going on?

Lorraine’s theory about local shows was wrong. Horribly wrong. The next A show they went to was a disaster. Tarzana seemed to hate everyone and everything. She would pull through any half-halts. Then she refused to perform a halt in the ring! She stopped for a millisecond and then kept inching forward. What the heck was going on?

And as soon as she stepped off the trailer back at home, Tarzana started rolling on the ground. “She’s colicking!” Lorraine cried out. “Someone please call the vet!”

Lorraine tried to walk her, but Tarzana kept throwing herself to the ground. It seemed like hours passed before the vet got there, although it was only 30 minutes.

Dr. Johnson managed to get the Banamine injected with Tarzana moving and pawing. But it didn’t work! He then tried more pain meds, and even tranquilizer and nothing worked.

“What can we do?” Should I take her to surgery?” Lorraine desperately asked.

Dr. Johnson replied, “Hold on. I have an idea, since you mentioned how unhappy she’s been and is worse at shows.” Dr. Johnson injected her with something else.

Within minutes, Tarzana stopped pawing and looking agonized. After ten minutes, she actually took a deep breath and yawned.

“What did you give her?” Lorraine asked.

“That, Ms. Beaumont, was ulcer medication.” Dr. Johnson answered.

How can Tarzana be really fixed?

And that was the beginning, Lorraine reflected. Now, months later, Lorraine felt lost. Ulcer medications definitely helped. But Tarzana had lost her joy for showing even with the meds. Lorraine tried other medications. She tried many herbal products. Still Tarzana was unhappy.

Tarzana would do decent training work. She managed to progress through most of Fourth Level, but not fluid and with ease. Tarzana forced it. “Only because she’s a talented, strong horse,” thought Lorraine.

And forget showing. Sure, she did the required moves. But with her tail swishing the whole time?!? That was just not going to work.

Lorraine toyed with the idea of getting another horse. But she couldn’t abandon Tarzana. Tarzana had that special “something” that made her a great show horse. And who knew —if she got another horse, it might get ulcers too.

Lorraine’s training as an attorney finally came to the surface. “Enough relying on everyone else’s opinions and ideas,” she thought. “Time to do some investigative research and find the real answer. I don’t care how long it takes, someone has to know the real cause of ulcers. I will find that person.”

Lorraine (her name has been changed) did find me. Actually, she found my Ulcer Report. Although she and I haven’t met in person, Lorraine has sent me many pictures of her and Tarzana. They are enjoying riding and winning horse shows again.

If your horse is struggling with ulcers, I know my Ulcer Report can help you too.