By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A SECRET blend of equine ointment claimed to be a world-first has shown amazing results, according to its developer and local horse owners.
Lara’s Judy Fitzgerald, a longtime horse owner, show-rider and breeder, said clinical tests of her Equine Plus showed a 63 per cent healing rate within 24 to 72 hours of application to wounds such as cuts and surgeries.
But Ms Fitzgerald said she faced a major challenge marketing the product after draining her resources during several “exhausting” years developing and testing the ointment.
The death of her husband, former jockey Tim Fitzgerald, after a heart attack last year at the age of 44 was a “massive” setback, she said.
“My life has been completely turned upside down and everything familiar is gone with him,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“I’ve only just been coping and it’s very hard to go on in life without Tim. My days have been filled with anxiety attacks, severe migraines, diabetes and I get tired and sick very easily due to the stress.
“My animals have played a huge part in keeping me going and I have now found a touch of hope in Equine Plus.
“It’s been tested by registered veterinarians but I’m at a loss now because this is a huge market and I need some help.”
Wallington’s Courtney Selway said the ointment helped her horse, Charlie, recover from a deep foreleg cut that had refused to heal.
“Judy offered to try Equine Plus on it, so I had a go and I could see the difference even after the first application,” Ms Selway said.
“The vet was worried because it was high on the leg near a joint and even though he had stitches it could split easily if it didn’t heal.
“The flesh started coming back together, so I repeated the treatment every three or four days for four weeks. Each time we checked it we saw improvement.
“It’s not often with these types of wounds that you see such rapid improvement. I’m sold on it – I always have a tub and use it if my horses have little cuts and scrapes.”
