SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED RESCUE

Currently, SCTR has fifteen horses that are in rehabilitation and not yet offered for adoption.

1. Noble Gambler (2004, gelding) arrived in July, after breaking down at Hollywood Park racetrack and sustaining multiple, and complicated soft tissue injuries. Noble Gambler's long-term prognosis remains rather uncertain, but we are optimistic that he will be pasture sound.

2. Shelley Creek (2007, filly) arrived in January, after we purchased her for $75 at aution. Shelley is crooked-legged with inflamed and swollen knees, and we are attempting to straighten her with appropriate diet and corrective hoof trimming before her growth plates close. Her long term prognosis at this time is highly uncertain.

3. "Lola" (2006, filly) we purchased at auction in March 2009 for $275. Lola was very thin, following her "adoption" out from a local non profit veterinary hospital which culminated in her "adopter" dropping her into a killer sale after 4 weeks. Lola is otherwise healthy and sound, and her prognosis is good. She will be started under saddle in March 2010, and offered for adoption - with protection this time.

4. Belleau Wood (1996, mare) we purchased at auction in March 2009 for $150. Belle was a little thin, but otherwise appears to be healthy. She left quarantine/rehab at the beginning of May. She will be available for adoption as soon as we have assessed her riding potential.  

5. Warrens Rahysgold (2004, gelding) was purchased at auction for $275 in August 2009 less than two months from his first and last race. "Benjamin" has a large but old and set bowed tendon, and his joints are swollen. Benjamin also has a serious "overbite". As of February 2010, Benjamin has been cleared by our vet for all riding disciplines and will be re-started under saddle shortly. 

6. Yo Slugo (2005, gelding) was purchased at auction for $225 in August 2009. Slugo has one old and one fairly recent "splint" on his front legs, is a little thin, but otherwise appears to be healthy. Prognosis for future rideability is good.

7. Mont La Salle (2006, gelding) was purchased at auction for $225 in August 2009. Monte is thin, and had an eye infection which was quickly resolved, but otherwise appears quite healthy.

8. Irish Katie (1997, mare) was purchased from a feedlot for $200 in August 2009. Katie is very thin, and has whip lashes on her body which are healing. Now healed, and in good weight, Katie has been re-started in training as of January 2010 and will be suitable as a light/flat riding horse.  

9. "Mysterious" (2006, filly?) is an untattoed TB filly purchased from a feedlot for $200 in August 2009. Although underweight, and with an apparent old injury to her left hind leg, Mysterious is sound on flexion and her prognosis for future rideability is good. She is being started under saddle as of February 2010.

10. Bertrando's Flag (2003, gelding) was purchased from a feedlot for $350 in August 2009. Bernie was underweight, but his legs are now in terrific shape and he is in training as of February 2010. He is a "roarer", but our vet does not believe that this should affect his future athletic potential.  

11. Remember Boffi (2005, gelding) was purchased at auction for $100 in December 2009. Boffi has old/healed injuries, and his prognosis for being a light/flat riding horse is good.

12. Northern Angel (1986, gelding) was purchased from a kill buyer for $300 in December 2009. "Bear" was thin, but is otherwise sound and apparently healthy. His prognosis for being a riding horse is extremely good - if he still wants to be one.

13. Rosa Rugosa (2003, mare) was donated by her owners after they no-saled her at auction in January 2010 because no private bidder wanted her. She appears to be sound, healthy, and we will assess her riding potential shortly.

14. Speaking (2006, gelding) was purchased at auction for $145 in January 2010. Speaking has just cleared quarantine and will be evaluated shortly.

15. Rushisright (2006, gelding) was purchased at auction for $300 in January 2010. Rush has one "old" and one recent bowed tendons, has just cleared quarantine, and will be evaluated shortly. Prognosis for future rideability is unclear at this time.   

This page records the progress of these horses. The horses are listed in reverse chronological order of their arrival ie. most recent arrival first.  

Rosa Rugosa was donated to SCTR by her owners after they attempted to sell her at auction and the only bidder was a kill buyer. They no-saled her, and immediately donated her to our volunteers who were present. Rosa is now with us. Rosa is a beautiful and very sweet young mare who, despite a significant racing career, appears to be sound and very healthy. Rosa's under saddle potential will be assessed shortly. These photographs were taken in January 2010 shortly after she was donated to SCTR. 

Northern Angel, a 1986 gelding, was rescued from a kill buyer in December 2010 for $300. "Bear" as he is affectionately known thanks Judy and Tracey for supporting his rescue and quarantine costs. Bear, despite his career as a racehorse a long time ago and the fact that he has since been a riding horse, has the cleanest legs of any horse in our program  He is amazingly sound with lovely movement, and is a lovely spirited horse. We will find out soon whether he is still willing to be ridden by humans. These photos were taken in January 2010, after a month of good food and clearing quarantine without any health problems. We are hoping that Bear will be available for adoption very shortly.

Remember Boffi was rescued at auction for $100 in December 2009, with the financial support of his former racing connections, and of SCTR friends Judy and Tracey. He was thin, but otherwise heathy, and his old racing injuries are healed. Boffi should be available for adoption later this Spring as a light/flat riding horse. These photographs were taken during a vet check in January 2010 after Boffi cleared quarantine. He is sweet, and handsome, and someone will love him.

Bertrando's Flag, a 2003 gelding by leading CA sire Bertrando and from the lovely racemare Victory Stripes, was at auction in August 2009 and purchased by a kill buyer. We were able to rescue him two days later from the feedlot for $350, and he is now in quarantine. He is a lovely gentle soul, and very much in love with the filly that we co-rescued with him from the feedlot, Mysterious.

Here is Bertrando's Flag a few days after his rescue, looking a little suspicious... 

upon arrival in quarantine, already healthier and happier thanks to the work of Alex, Megan and Casey:

and re discovering peace, pictured with and without his new companion Mysterious: a beautiful boy...

By November, Bertrando's Flag is filling out and looking a lot less anxious - downright handsome in his photosession here, with photographer Laurie Taylor.

Hopefully, in the New Year, this lovely horse will be ready to find his lifetime adoptive home.

Mysterious is an untattoed three year old  (according to our vet's assessment of her teeth) filly, whom we purchased from a feedlot for $200 in August 2009. While her rescue was "unplanned" (there was actually a mixup at the lot...) we are extremely happy to have her in our program. Mysterious is thin, and has an old left hind leg injury, but is sound and super sweet and we hope very much that we can find her the wonderful home that she deserves. 

Mysterious, a couple of days after her rescue, and after a good bath, still looking a little depressed, and with noticeable bitemarks likely from horses at the feedlot:

 

And looking happier and healthier within just three weeks, thanks to the care of Alex, Megan, and Casey: 

By November, Mysterious is a round and happy young filly, here pictured in turnout with young friends Yo Slugo and and Mont La Salle,

Our August rescues are a group of really cute young horses...

Irish Katie had a mderately successful racing career in southern California, and a single foal mid-career by leading CA sire Unusual Heat. We found her at auction in August 2009, in western tack, extremely thin, and with noticeable whip lashes on her hind quarters. Although Katie was purchased there by a kill buyer, we were able to subsequently rescue her from the feedlot for $200, and she is now safe in quarantine, gaining weight, and wounds healing.

Here is Katie the day after her rescue from the feedlot,

After a good bath, Katie's already feeling and looking better...

A couple of weeks later, Katie is ready for a photoshoot with professional photographer Laurie Taylor, images towards the "Horses In Need" project of Equine Photographers Network (EPN): 

By October, Katie is filling out and relaxing. Clearly abused, and with her whip lashes now healed, she has been gradually desensitized by her foster (to the presence of male humans, in particular) and is a happier healthier and blossoming mare.

 

Mont La Salle last raced at Santa Anita in March 2009, and was rescued at auction in August for $225. Monte is thin, and had an eye infection, but is otherwise healthy and very sweet. He is currently in quarantine.

Monte upon arrival at the quarantine facility, tired and a little confused

and three weeks later, starting to relax and enjoy life, very curious and friendly, and trying to establish a better relationship with co-quarantine stall mate Slugo:

By November, Monte's weight is healthy, and he enjoys turnout with his young friends Mysterious and Yo Slugo ... this group of youngsters rescued in August are really very cute together!

Look at that cute face! Hopefully, Monte will find his forever person and home in the New Year...

Yo Slugo is a handsome four year old gelding by Boucanneer, rescued at auction in August 2009 for $225. Slugo is unraced, and there has splints (one old, one relatively fresh) on both front legs, but is otherwise a little thin but healthy. Slugo is currently in quarantine.

Here is Slugo, looking a little weary but curious, upon arrival at our quarantine facility:

and much perkier just three weeks later:

By November, Slugo has filled out and enjoys turnout with his young, co-August rescue friends Mont La Salle and Mysterious - he's definitely the boss of the crew!

Here he is trying to get in the photo with Monte...

Hopefully, Slugo will find his permanent human companion in the New Year...

Warrens Rahysgold, 5yo gelding, his first and last race at Los Alamitos in June 2009, was run through auction in July 2009 to be privately purchased. He was back at auction in August, now with swollen knees in addition to the bowed tendon he had in July. We rescued him for $275, and he is now in quarantine awaiting a full physical exam.

Here he is relaxing the day after his rescue, a big, beautiful and very kind gelding who takes great delight in fresh shavings in his stall...

We rescued Belleau Wood at auction in March 2009 for $150. Belle is beautifully bred, by Alleged and out of a Forli mare, sold at Keeneland for $95,000 as a yearling, and although she never broke her maiden raced successfully in MSW races in California earning $43,000. She has since been a broodmare, and has recent progeny by some of the top sires in California, such as In Excess and Swiss Yodeler: her progeny are still racing. Belle was a little thin at the time of rescue, and her coat and hooves not well maintained. However, as you can see she is already filling out and promises to be an absolutely stunning and sound riding horse prospect. We hope that she will be available for adoption soon. Belle's assessment for future rideability will begin on April 26.

Belle, the day after we rescued her:

  

Belle just three weeks later: she is beautiful!

Belle just three weeks later, is absolutely stunning:

Sound and healthy, Belle left quarantine and rehab at the beginning of May to begin an assessment of her "re-trainability" prior to being offered for adoption.

Massive thanks are due to Casey O'Connor for outstanding care of Belle in quarantine, and SCTR is deeply indebted to Lynn and Lloyd Wells of The Toby Wells Foundation for their financial support of Belle's rescue and care.  

Lola (now renamed by foster Megan) was purchased at auction in March 2009 in horrible shape, a very thin but otherwise apparently healthy and unraced three year old filly by Motto and out of a Saros mare. She had been "adopted out" a month earlier by the non-profit wing of a local veterinary clinic to someone that evidently did not want her. As per the website of the veterinary clinic, Lola had been involved in a trailering accident and they had taken her in when her owners could not afford to pay the entire bill. We were unable to reach the attending vet, despite multiple phonecalls, who had signed her over to the "adopter". Lola is starting to fill out, eating well, and all bodily functions are normal :) 

This was Lola the day after we purchased her in early March 2009:

and this is Lola in early April 2009: look at that sweet face!

 

By the end of May 2009, Lola is simply stunning!

Who wouldn't be proud to own this beautiful and unraced three year old filly? 

Shelley Creek (2007) was first spotted at auction in December 2008; crooked legged with swollen knees, despite obvious bone growth and joint issues she had obviously been started under saddle as a yearling with disastrous results. SCTR was surprisingly outbid that night, but the following month Shelley was back at auction and on this occasion our bidder successfully purchased her for $75, bidding against a kill buyer. By now, Shelley's rope halter (quite possibly having never been removed throughout the month of December) had embedded into her face, causing partial facial paralysis. A veterinary exam and xrays showed that Shelley's knees were not yet "closed", allowing for the possiblity of considerable straightening of (especially) her left leg with appropriate nutrition and corrective trimming. Shelley is now in rehab at a foster home, and we are hoping that she recovers sufficiently well to be at least pasture sound, if not rideable.

We are deeply indebted to Shelley's sponsors, the Fans of Barbaro, for supporting her first few months of rehabilitation; Bridgett, Carol, Deborah, Jamie, Janice, Jen, John, Karen, Laure, Linda, and Shelley, - thank you!  Shelley's photoalbum can be found here: http://www.sctbrescue.org/apps/photos/album.jsp?albumID=3838579

Shelley in January 2009:

 

Shelley in February 2009:

 

As of April 2009, Shelley is looking fabulous! She is spirited and curious, and we are very much hoping that her veterinary evaluation on April 23 goes well. Major thanks are due to her foster, Laure, for taking incredibly good care of Shelley and for carefully managing her diet.

Shelley in July 2009: her leg looks unlikely to ever be able to bear weight through riding, but she is sound at all gaits and absolutely brimming with health and energy! SCTR has decided to turn out Shelley for a year, and see how her leg and soundness evolve before a final assessment is made of her prognosis. Look how lovely Shelley has become...

 

  

We were alerted to the fact that the beautiful gelding, Hawaiian Lyon, urgently needed a new home after he broke down and was vanned off during his last race at Los Alamitos. Stakes placed in his younger days, and a physically stunning horse, Lyon suffered a serious suspensory injury which compounded an old tendon injury on the same leg. He is truly a gentle giant, and is recovering well in foster care. At this time, his long term prognosis is not clear, but we are very optimistic that without complications Lyon will be pasture sound at least. He is a lovely horse, and we're thrilled to be able to help him.

We are deeply grateful to the Exceller Fund (www.excellerfund.org) for providing emergency funding to allow us to take in Hawaiian Lyon, and to the Fans of Barbaro, especially Jen, John, Karen, Linda, Mary, and Nona, for sponsoring Lyon through his rehabilitation. You can see additional photographs of Lyon by visiting his photoalbum, here: http://www.sctbrescue.org/apps/photos/album.jsp?albumID=3825196

By the end of May 2009, Lyon's leg has tightened up considerably, he is walking well, his condition is terrific, and he is ready for more exercise. 

In early July 2008, we welcomed Noble Gambler into our rehabilitation program. This beautiful, four year old gelding by In Excess suffered an injury while racing at Hollywood Park, and was in urgent need of a new home. We gratefully acknowledge the emergency sponsorship provided for this horse, towards his veterinary care, xrays, rehabilitation, and other initial costs, provided by The Exceller Fund (please visit their website at www.excellerfund.org), Bridgett, Donna, Jamie, John, Lenore, Mitzi, and Sharla. Many thanks to all of you for your support of this lovely horse.

Noble Gambler sustained multiple injuries in his short, two race career. A veterinary examination revealed a serious suspensory injury to his left front leg, complicated by sesamoid chips, and in his second start in July 2008, Noble Gambler caught his left front tendon with a hind foot, sustaining a low bow. Subequent veterinary examination, and additional xrays, showed that both the sesamoid bone and the pastern have suffered significant sinking relative to their normal angles. Basically, Gambler's racing injuries have resulted in a complete breakdown of the suspensory apparatus that supports the fetlock and pastern. Although there is no sign of any fracture, nor of any arthritis, the prognosis for his usage once he is recovered from the bow tendon is pasture pet at best.  

As of January 2009, Gambler's suspensory and tendon are finally starting to tighten up. The risk of founder persists but there are still no symptoms. Although still in some discomfort managed by NSAIDs, Gambler continues to be a friendly, kind horse who greatly appreciates visitors and carrots. 

 

By the end of May 2009, Gambler is walking well and feeling great! There is a significant sesamoid drop in his left front leg, but the tissues are quite tight, and he is ready for more exercise.

And carrots continue to be a big favourite!

In December 2009, Gambler has filled out, relaxed and looking wonderful! In the next couple of weeks he will have a vet evaluation and is hopefully ready to be turned out, and advertized for adoption as a pasture puff or Parelli games partner, in the Spring. Truly a beautiful horse, our lovely five year old gelding by In Excess, Noble Gambler ...