About Jessica Hughes Expertise I can answer diet and nutrition questions regarding performance, breeding/raising young horses, showing, and pleasure riding needs. I can answer questions regarding riding and training problems or advice. I can answer questions regarding equine behavior problems. I can answer questions regarding show horses, how to groom the english or western horse for the horse show arena. I can answer any general question regarding horses.
Experience My expertise includes owning and running a successful show and boarding facility. I have done much research on the nutritional needs of all different types of horses and how their digestive system works and how to keep that healthy. I have shown and trained horses for cutting, western pleasure, halter, breed show all around, and currently hunter/jumpers on the hunter curcuit. I have also raised babies and bred my own mares for the last 5 years specializing in thoroughbreds, warmbloods, and welsh ponies. I also give lessons to all types of riders. I evented for 3 years.
Organizations I currently belong to Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association and American Quarter Horse Association.
Education/Credentials I apprenticed under Mark Poovey an accomplished cutting horse trainer for 4 years where I was assistant trainer and barn manager. I have ridden under and participated in many clinics under such people as George Morris and Daniel Geitner. I have also worked as a vet tech at a local veterinarian. I attended Isothermal Community College where I attained my business degree.
Awards and Honors I was #8 in the nation in 1994 with the American Paint Horse Association at the end of that year in the event of Working Hunter 18 & Under. I was also 4th at the AQHA World Show in 1994 in the event of Hunter Under Saddle Youth Team Tournament. I won many year end awards with the APHA during that year. I also won the Raleigh Cutting Horse Futuritiy in the youth division in 1994. I was leader of a local 4-H group for many years.
Past/Present Clients Hope Bleeker, Freda Jessen, Judy Scott, Sharon Scruggs, Elizabeth White, Jackie Gardinier, Laura Bailey, Kevin Hamby, Jane Juanaco,
Anne Schager, Diane Randolph
Expert: Jessica Hughes Date: 6/17/2008 Subject: Bone
Question I have a 5yo thoroughbred gelding who I bought 6 months ago. Shortly after aquiring him he got a lump on the front bone of his face in the sinus area. I have had the vet look at this and he suggested it was due to a knock to the area that then calcified. I have put an anti-inflamatory on it which helped reduce the size of the lump but did not remove it completely. I have stopped using it now as is was causing skin reaction and lump has returned to original size. I am also feeding him a calcium suppliment as the vet suggested it may be caused by calcium leaching from the bone? Can you provide me with any other suggestions of what it could be and how to treat it? Thank you
Answer Hi Brigitte, I am going to agree with your vet. I had a mare who came in one day with the same thing you have described on her face on the bridge of her nose just below the eye (in the sinus area), that was when she was 4 she is now 6 and it is completely gone. It was never a problem just an eye sore. I think what you are describing will go away eventually, as most calcifications such as this do (from my experience), it just may take a while. I think the supplement sounds good, I didn't really do anything for my horse other than just keep an eye on it the first couple of weeks after she did it. This kind of thing is much like a splint on the leg which is also a calcification due to the splint bone being injured and also in most cases the splint on the leg will eventually go away, it just takes a while and sometimes years. I wouldn't worry unless it starts to get bigger then consult your vet again. Hope I could help ease your mind. Jessica
