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I wrote to Dr. Deb Bennett about any kind of physical therapy we could give to Telikos to help prevent a sway back. I was suprised by her response:

Patricia, thank you for posting this image and for the question. The answers you are asking for can be found under the same reply I gave to RobV in the thread “starting an elk-necked colt right.”

As to your apprehensions about the horse’s appearance: he is not swaybacked. You turn out to be the lucky one here. Do not let this colt go; he should become your own riding horse, unless you’re just so full up that you don’t need any more class-A horses. This animal will grow up to be handsome, proportionate, durable, fast, and athletically capable of just about anything. His head is noble and the temperament will probably match.

So take your time with him and have a care, because great horses like this do not come along just every day; and if he has the kind and generous spirit that I suspect, then you have double responsibility because the animal will actually hurt himself trying to please you.

Concerns over unattractive appearance in a case like this only to go highlight, to me, how mis-educated, I mean TOTALLY mis-educated, people have become as to judging horseflesh.

Good luck with this and please do write back with any questions. I would also highly appreciate receiving photos of this animal periodically — taken at 6-mos. intervals would be ideal. One reason people have difficulty “seeing” young horses is that they do not have the experience to FOREsee how he’s going to look when mature. This is a question I get practically weekly, and you could, if you are willing, help everyone out there. So we hope to hear back about this horse’s progress on a regular basis.

Thanks very much. — Dr. Deb

Wow, and you could adopt this wonderful animal for just $125.