Shiloh and Jackson

  Shiloh and Jackson were together at Elkdog medicine Ranch from December 6, 2023 to April 19, 2025. They were surrendered by their owner of five years when she had to relocate to another state and could not take them with her. She had originally purchased them for trail riding, as Tennessee Walkers are well known for rider comfort on long rides; unfortunately, Jackson had contracted EPM in 2021.

Upon intake at Elkdog, Shiloh (age 13) was a bit heavy but otherwise healthy. She quickly established her place near the top of our existing herd. Jackson (age 17) however, was thin and experiencing continued muscle atrophy in his hindquarters due to the EPM. 

Our goal from the beginning for Jackson was to safely integrate him into the herd and provide a safe haven for him to live out the remainder of his days. Having never had a resident with a history of EPM, we learned a lot during our journey with him and will never regret accepting him into our family. Herd living raised his spirits and encouraged him to move around the fields. Extra meals (senior grain and hay) helped him maintain a decent weight. He seemed to love the littles best (Dallas and Jenni our minis). But, despite our best efforts, repeated treatments to keep the EPM effects at bay, the muscle atrophy remained. Inclement wet and cold weather were particularly hard for him. At the time of his release in April, we had been treating him for ulcers for over a month and a blood disorder that was discovered with labs. He had stopped eating and had just, two days previous, returned home from a short stay at our veterinarian clinic. He was laid to rest in the west field.