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Post by schwung on Sept 12, 2006 15:53:46 GMT -5
Desert Spark, or "Desi" is a 5 year old ~17h chestnut TB gelding by Desert Rival out of Strip N Get, born in Arizona. He was in training as of 2005 and ran one race in 2004, no winnings on record. He was rescued on September 11th with the assistance of Shiloh Acres rescue ( www.shilohacres.org/) and a kind individual named Margaret who happened upon Desi and a few other horses at a feedlot in Colorado. Desi is extremely thin at this time, quite beat up from other horses, but appears sound otherwise. He is in quarantine and awaiting further evaluation. Sparky needs to gain some weight before he will be offered for adoption. More info to come as we have it!
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Post by schwung on Sept 12, 2006 15:55:58 GMT -5
Another photo, Sparky on the far right (other two horses also saved by donations and Shiloh Acres):
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Post by cat67 on Sept 12, 2006 17:47:14 GMT -5
I can't wait to see him fattened up - he will be beautiful!
Great job, everybody, on saving him!
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Post by schwung on Sept 14, 2006 0:06:04 GMT -5
Update from Margaret:
Sparky weighs 875#, the bleached bay and Appy 950#. Sparky needs some manners, as he is puchy on the ground I gave them all a good grooming and they are doing well. Should have the farrier out in a few days to do the 2 TBs (The appy should be going to his rescue this weekend)
875 lbs for a 17+h TB gelding is not good at all. Poor guy.
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kellie
Junior BB Member
Posts: 78
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Post by kellie on Sept 14, 2006 0:31:57 GMT -5
Bless that boy's heart (all of their hearts), I'm so glad SAFE jumped in to get Sparky. He's going to be so handsome when he get some groceries in him. Are there funds available for the next rescue effort by Shiloh Acres? Can someone let me know? How much do they usually go for?
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Post by schwung on Sept 18, 2006 0:13:27 GMT -5
Sparky is in his new foster home!! We had a last minute change of plans and Desert Spark was moved with another of the TB geldings about 2 hours south of Ft. Collins to be fostered with a woman named Holly over on the COTH board who is graciously taken him in. Unfortunately it sounds like the trip down and the transition were a little bit of a concern (I cringed when I read the words "colicky") but fortunately it seems like he came out of it ok. Here is her update: Jaime,
Desie (Sparky) is home with me. It all fell together this weekend. Hilary ended up taking the other gelding, so I picked them both up today.
He was miserable and upset on the trailer. It was only a 2 hour ride. First order of business when I got him in the barn was to take a whiz. Next was to lie down. Then get up and eat two bites of hay. Then lie down again and PASS OUT. I mean, I've never seen a horse do this. He lay down flat, and within a few seconds was in REM sleep, legs twitching, eyelids fluttering, snoring. The poor guy was exhausted.
The next hour alternated between sleeping and acting colicky. I think it was just stress from the trailer, some gas, because he had pooped up a storm. I gave him a dose of Banamine and he quieted down in short order.
Then the eating began. I keep checking him, and he hasn't left the manger. He is drinking water, too.
Here are the pictures I took tonight:
I'm so glad to have him here, so I can take care of him.
Holly
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Post by averyacres on Sept 18, 2006 0:26:39 GMT -5
Poor guy, he probably felt like he could exhale...
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Post by rachelle on Sept 18, 2006 0:28:45 GMT -5
He looks better already. Okay so it's only the surrounding but how can a horse not be happy there? It looks like horsey heaven to me... The only thing better would be a nice green run right off his stall... I'm glad he's safe now.
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Post by averyacres on Sept 18, 2006 0:34:24 GMT -5
That's what I was thinking...what a beautiful barn.
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garbo
Junior BB Member
SAFE Adopter
Posts: 96
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Post by garbo on Sept 18, 2006 11:08:49 GMT -5
The transformation begins! Holly sounds wonderful, can't wait to hear more.
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Post by asmo on Sept 18, 2006 11:53:58 GMT -5
I cant wait to see some updates! and some body pics w/out a blanket...
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Post by jennywho on Sept 18, 2006 14:49:36 GMT -5
Those pics of him in the shavings are wonderful. He looks so content. I am so excited to watch his progress.
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bsnlark
Junior BB Member
SAFE Adopter
SAFE's Larkspur and Ishmeal n Buckwheat, too
Posts: 71
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Post by bsnlark on Sept 18, 2006 16:29:35 GMT -5
looking at Spark w/ the huge blanket on reminds me of how Lark looked 6 mos ago. I put her raincoat on this morning and its a little on the snug side, now ;D
So with time he'll get that blanket to fit, and from the looks of his new digs he made it to the right place !
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Post by cardicorgi on Sept 18, 2006 17:03:46 GMT -5
In that first pic you can almost hear him snoring. It is so great to know he is in a safe place, and her barn looks nice and cozy and clean!
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Post by schwung on Sept 18, 2006 19:09:30 GMT -5
Update from Holly:
The other gelding is actually at Hilary's place now. He was the darker bleached bay from the photos, unreadable tattoo. Hilary has named him Jazz.
I'm having trouble warming up to the name Sparky, so I've just calling him Dez for now (or Bones). Anyway, he was feeling much better late last night and this morning, pooping, eating and drinking. I really think he's past the colic episode.
The farrier is coming tomorrow at 2, and the vet at 3. I think it's a good idea to pull a Coggins, if that's okay with you. I don't think he should have any vaccines yet, since he is so run down and has some sort of infection, as evidenced by his swollen lymph nodes.
Holly
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