Veterinary Physiotherapist Gail Williams Treats 'Duek' The Movie Star!

Duek and Gail Veterinary Physiotherapist Gail Williams has recently returned from a business trip to the Santa Ynez Valley, California, where she treated a number of horses in surrounding ranches. One of her patients was Duek, a black Friesian who was one of the horses that played Zorro’s mount, Toronado, in the film. Duek is a purebred Friesian who is 18 now, but was three when the film was made. Duek is recovering from illness and also has some arthritis. Gail was called in to help him feel better- she did this through giving him a massage, mobilising some joints and performing passive stretches. However, Duek wasn’t the only one to receive a treat. “He has free run of his owner’s ranch so, when he’s needed for anything, she just opens the stable door and whistles,” says Gail. “When I was there, it took about 15 seconds before I heard the thundering hooves. He then did the most amazing turn around the stable block, sending gravel flying, and trotted into his stable before using his teeth to shut the door behind him, and using his lips to draw the bolt! I’ve never seen anything like it!” When Gail had performed her physiotherapy session, Duek ran through more of his repertoire. “He bowed for me, I gave him a number between 1 and 10, and he pawed the ground that number of times, and he caught and threw towels with me,” says Gail. “I love the diversity that my job has, but I haven’t met all that many horses like Duek!” Duek is still used for filming and also competes in dressage. As a thank you gift, he gave Gail a bottle of wine from his owner’s vineyard- what a horse! To find out more about Gail, the work she does and for more in her recent trip, see www.gailwilliams.co.uk.

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