Swayback
Mr. Frisky our handsome Paint Gelding
During our first couple of weeks at ʻĀina Iki Ranch, Joshua and I slept in the main house with our generous benefactor, Val. She graciously offered us her bedroom while she cozied up in her art and writing room — a gesture we’ll never forget.
As much as we were eagerly awaiting Steady Betty’s arrival (and our beloved pull-out “mega-bed”), we cherished those early mornings. We’d wake to the Cook Pines swaying in the breeze and our herd of goats — affectionately dubbed the “Biggies” — grazing nearby.
Every so often, we’d also catch a glimpse of our two horses, Ms. Ruby and Mr. Frisky, moving quietly through the pasture.
Frisky basking in the sun at ʻĀina Iki Ranch
If you look closely at the photo above, you’ll notice Frisky has a bit of a sway to his back. While this can be common in older horses - as the ligaments and muscles supporting the spine weaken with age - Frisky is only around 15 years old, still very much in the prime of his life.
So what happened?
Frisky grew up in South Point (Ka Lae), the southernmost tip of the United States. The land might look lush at first glance, but it’s actually mineral-challenged. The soil is young and volcanic - it hasn’t had enough time to break down and build rich organic layers. This results in low bioavailable minerals, especially important trace minerals. Combined with constant wind and seasonal rains, nutrients are easily stripped from the soil. So while the grass may appear green and abundant, it isn’t always mineral-dense.
So what does all this “soil talk” mean for Frisky?
During his formative, horse-building years, he wasn’t receiving the full spectrum of nutrients he needed - particularly minerals like calcium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc. These are essential in early development, helping to build a strong spine, healthy ligaments, and supportive musculature.
Without enough of these building blocks, Frisky developed what’s known as juvenile-onset equine lordosis - a structural condition where the support system of the spine is compromised, allowing the back to dip as the horse grows.
Frisky began showing signs of swayback around 2 to 3 years old. But true to the vision of ʻĀina Iki Ranch we welcomed him just as he is - and he has become our most special therapy horses our little sanctuary could ask for.
Frisky enjoying some buds off of our Calliandra tree
While his back may look unusual, Frisky shows no signs of pain. True to his name, he remains spirited and bright - bringing joy, presence, and just the right amount of mischief to our days here on the ʻāina.
