ABRAHAM:  Knots on all four knees, worried look on his face, flat back and skinny.  It was the look in his eyes and the condition of his legs/knees that compelled us to try to help him.  We named him Abraham because he appeared to be lanky like Abraham Lincoln. 

His Coggins record was from April of this year and indicates that he went through the notorious New Holland Auction at that time.  Where he had been and what he had been through for the last 6 months can only be imagined.  It was definitely 6 months of continuous pain, probably more.

He arrived at Quarantine exhausted, but compliant.  He was a good boy!  Bad arthritis in all 4 legs, possible pelvic fracture/hip issues.  Possible neurological issues as he tossed his head quite a bit and his penis didn’t retract all the time.  Left rear knuckled over sometimes.  

Kathy transported him to the vet for x-rays.  We hoped to be able to help him get better, but the x-rays told the story of a life filled with pain already.  Extensive arthritis in all 4 joints.  When I spoke with the vet,  we discussed injections, but they would only be a band aid and not stop the progression of the arthritis which was already significant.  Plus, he was still growing.  Vet said he hadn’t seen arthritis this bad in 20 year old horses that had been worked hard all their lives.   ABRAHAM was only 4 years old!!

We are so grateful to the vets for being honest with us and for Kathy L.  Kathy has been the hands & heart that envelopes the rescues our supporters & TIER tries to help with comfort, a soft voice, plenty of hay/feed, medications and a deeply caring soul.  These horses know this.  

It has been and always will be our hope that we are helpful to some and harmful to none.

We knew we had made a very difficult, but right, choice.  The next hurdle was that we could not release him from this agony until removal could be scheduled.  Since the company that provided this service was some distance away, it would be a week before we could provide ABRAHAM with the last good thing.  The final Gift.  It would be a week of knowing and heartbreak.  He received plenty of pain meds, good food, room to move around as he wished without threat from other horses and yet be able to have other horses near.  He appeared to be a bit more relaxed, less stressed.  I think he knew somehow that his lifetime of suffering was at a close.

Doing the right thing for the right reasons is not always easy. We let him go to avoid minutes, hours, days, months, years of further misery. He was only 4 years old.

Knots on all four knees, worried look on his face, flat back and skinny.  It was the look in his eyes and the condition of his legs/knees that did it.  We have named him Abraham because he appears to be lanky like Abraham Lincoln. 

His Coggins record is from April of this year and indicates that he went through the notorious New Holland Auction at that time.  Where he has been and what he has been through for the last 6 months I can only imagine.

Abraham arrived today at Starburst Ranch with Kathy for quarantine and help.  A vet appointment has been set up for this coming Thursday for an evaluation and x-rays of those poor knees.  He appears to be around the age stated in the listing (4 yrs.) but we will know more after his visit with the vet.  Kathy immediately started him on good food with some Bute sprinkled in to help with inflammation and pain.  So far, he seems to be an easy going kinda guy that has gone through who knows what in his short life.  I would not doubt that he will have that sad/worried look for quite awhile.  Send healing thoughts, prayers and vibes that the damage has not been too great.