Ballyowen Clarabelle Struck Down by Guttural Pouch Mycosis
Ballyowen Clarabelle (M1-14662 – Grange King’s Surf, Ballyowen Bonny Belle), the sister of European Gold Medal winning Ballyowen Maybelle Molly, has passed away. Gone at the age of only eight years, Clarabelle was described as “a powerful personality, not always the easiest pony but definitely the bravest and truest of steeds that would carry you all day and then take you home” by her saddened breeders John and Jenny Richardson. Her death, and the loss of her potential, will be felt both by breed enthusiasts, and pony performers everywhere.
Clarabelle started competing with Padraig Geoghegan, who rode her as part of the Irish Inter-country Working Hunter Team going to Grantham in England in 2009. She jumped in the Performance Working Hunter, the Open Working Hunter, and the Champion of Champions competition all for ponies up to 153cms. She jumped superbly and only looked small when she lined up to get her rosettes! She took part in the Working Hunter competition in Clifden in 2009 and in 2010.
Last year Clarabelle was ridden by both Padraig Geoghegan and Neil Dalrymple in Clifden – both riders enjoyed her power and agility in the Working Hunter competition and Padraig went on to jump her in the Puissance. Neil enjoyed taking her to the Ward Union Pony camp where she flew around the Tattersall’s Cross Country course. Neil and Clarabelle competed on the Inter Schools Show Jumping competition in the Autumn and were aiming to compete with Eventing Ireland this year.
Guttural Pouch Mycosis
Clarabelle was struck suddenly by a serious condition – Guttural Pouch Mycosis – caused by a fungal infection that embeds itself in the wall of the guttural pouch. These pouches, unique to equines, open into the throat area and contain nerves and major blood vessels such as the carotid artery. They are thought to help cool the blood going to the brain during exercise. The infected artery starts to bleed and it is this bleeding that can quite literally cause the horse to bleed to death in the event of the blood vessels within the pouch rupturing. The condition is rare, and becomes very serious if the fungus begins to grow over one of the large blood vessels in the pouch, particularly the carotid. It also may go completely unnoticed for quite some time, and there may be few or no warning signs before the horse has a major bleed. The fungal infection can weaken the wall of the artery, ultimately causing it to rupture. This results in massive blood loss (which comes out of the nose) and it is potentially life-threatening.
The fungus that causes this Mycosis is widespread and unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. The reason that some horses develop this type of infection while others do not is not known.
So sorry to hear of your sad loss. May she now rest in peace!
Dear Jenny & John,
So Sorry to hear about Ballyowen Clarabelle. May she rest in peace. We will be in touch.