Saturday, January 29, 2011

Trucker- Our Newest Arrival

Incredibly, this morning, this little guy was found outside of the fence at Shiloh, right next to our wooden sign. Eric found him standing there when he drove in. He was obviously dumped there. He is a weanling, approx 6-7 months of age with twisted and crippled legs and horribly long hooves.

This is such a sad story...

We have named him Trucker.


Coming in the side gate...

His hind hooves. He could hardly walk...

His front hooves...

Hind hooves again...


We moved him into the Medical area, here he greets Huckleberry...

We immediately called our Farrier, Osblado, who came out to trim him...

The hooves were so long that we could not trim it all off at one time- but we had to get them down to where he was standing better and would be more comfortable...

Finished! Notice his crippled front leg, it looks like it has been fractured in the past. He also appears to be suffering from OCD in some of his joints. His one hind leg is twisted as well, but hopefully, with good hoof trims we can get it back into shape...

I wrapped his legs for some support. We also gave him some Bute to keep him comfortable...

Poor guy...


See how his hind foot twists?

Trucker got lots of attention...

Later he laid down to nap. He was exhausted and his legs and hooves were sore...

Eric comforted him...

We all welcome Trucker to Shiloh and we will do all we can to get him up to a quality of life...

27 comments:

Nena said...

I just came in from final hay feeding to see this. Jill, you are so strong and so very good. God bless.

Cathy said...

This brought tears to my eyes. That someone could do this to this young horse is just criminal. But, also because they had the sense to "dump" him in a place that would soon become his heaven on earth.

Looking at his horribly neglected feet, wow. People don't realize this stuff REALLY does happen, so good for you for educating the world.

Your farrier did an amazing job considering what he had to work with.

The picture of him in the shavings and with the cute cowboy gave me the warm fuzzies.

Again, thanks for all you do! This boy has been given a second chance at a nice life ;)

Terry said...

Poor, poor baby! The best of luck to him.

Anonymous said...

Tears streaming down my face after reading this. It amazes me how blind/stupid/uncaring people can be - to let a foal get that bad so young.

I am SO glad he is now in Shiloh's loving hands. Trucker has a chance now. Please keep us updated on his progress.

Casey said...

It's so sad to think his whole young life has been full of pain and frustration. I'm glad he's with you now, and may find out how to be a happy youngster! Good luck

Dom said...

Humanity makes me sick. This poor guy! He's so lucky to have you guys. I can't believe his feet even GREW that much in his short life.

Anonymous said...

Eric thank you for your comfort for Trucker. He has a chance now.God Bless

Unknown said...

God bless you and all your help at Shiloh Jill. Not many pictures will bring a person to tears the moment they look at it, but the picture of this poor babies hooves did it for me. He's in good hands now and I'm sure he's already a happy camper.

Anonymous said...

something tells me there is QUITE the backstory to this little guy. Apart from the leg issues he actually looks like he's been well fed and well handled. And someone has taken the time and effort and expense to bring him to Shiloh. Someone, somewhere cared. I sense a heck of a lot of heart break somewhere along the line there.

Elaine said...

Words cannot express my outrage as I look at this pictures of this poor little fellow. How could anyone be so cruel? It is more than upsetting to see this poor baby and what he has been through. But as always Shiloh is their, thank God he was brought to Shiloh, he will be safe and cared for. I am so glad they brought him to you guys, they could have done even worse to him than they already have. He will be safe and happy now bless his little heart.

Merideth in Wyoming said...

IF this is OCD in his joints it will get progressively worse as he gets older and grows more. There is little that can be done at this age, anything that can be done with this type of OCD has to be done before the colt is very old, like at 3 mos of age. It is also painful as they older and it's a genetic disorder.

Cheval Noir said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Helga: Poor litte baby, it hurt to see this little guy has been suffering for so long, thank God he is at Shiloh, he will be fine and have a good life now with lots of love and care....

Cheval Noir said...

Poor baby :(

You know, you have to wonder about the human race; this forgiving little man is a darling despite the hurdles he has faced and will face in the future.

A lot of humans could learn many a thing or two from little Trucker.

If I was a bit closer than Australia I'd be down there to see how I could help or even if I could take him home to spoil for the rest of his days.

And yes, thank heavens whoever dumped him had the sense to leave him somewhere where he'd get the help he needs - they may not have been responsible for his terrible state.

Good luck Trucker, we're all here for you. Sending e-hugs across the miles ; )

Rachel said...

I am just broken hearted. Stopped by from FUGLY and was just stunned by the pictures.

I cannot imagine someone doing this. Or "not noticing". I am glad he is in your care - though I'm betting that quality time with someone's affection did every bit as good as anything medically.

What a little fighter.

Anonymous said...

Really really stunned to see this poor little colt.
How on earth did such a young boy grow feet that long?!! He must have been stuck in an enclosure where he couldn't move... or maybe because of the pain.
Really shocked. No words to describe the inhumanity of this.
Thank goodness he is now in such a good place!

Dan said...

Poor Trucker!
It's lovely to see he is still trusting and accepting of humans. The picture of him having a cuddle brought tears to my eyes.
Please let us know how he gets on Jill.
Dan
-x-

darkangel said...

Awww, the poor little tyke :(
Could he possibly be older than 8 or 9 months? It could explain the hoof growth..
Thank you for caring for him, like another poster stated, if i didn`t live in Australia i would be there helping out with your rescue..

Beanie Mouse said...

Oh the poor little moo..... Somebody give him extra hugs and carrots from me please...

DarcC said...

Sweet baby. The pic of him with his head in Eric's lap just killed me. I get paid tomorrow and I'll make a donation then. I hate the kind of people who do this shit to animals.

cowgrlaub said...

Poor little guy :(

Tabatha55 said...

God Bless you for doing this!I rescued a little filly with a twisted leg from our local Indian Reserve where the horses are left to manage on their own before being rounded up for slaughter once a year. Anyway I had her twisted leg operated on and now a farrier is working on slowly correcting a crooked fetlock and she is doing fantastic and is the sweetest thing ever. She is worth every penny I have spent on her and will live a happy useful life now, even if it is only to be a pasture mate for my other horses, although I have no doubt she will be able to be ridden for pleasure. I will pray that Trucker gets lucky and his injuries are easily corrected and someone falls in love with him and takes on his care for his lifetime. Thank you for all you do for the horses!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the people who left him were not the owners but someone upset over his condition.

Anon40something said...

My first thought was... the person who brought him to Shiloh was probably not the owner, but possibly a neighbor or relative who could not stand to see the poor guy suffer any more.

Michelle said...

Being abandoned at Shiloh was the best thing that ever happened to this baby.

I look forward to reading about his prognosis from the vet staff and what they recommend for treatment.

I hope he becomes part of the Brat Pack as soon as he is able. Looks like he could us a few friends in his life.

Unknown said...

Arghh just discovered your blog! i have played around with rescuing horses in the past and am currently training some wild horses i adopted from muster, i understand how frustrating/ enraging and heartbreaking it can be to see some of the conditions hroses find themsleves in do to humans!! But also how rewarding it is when you can improve their lives, rehome and retrain, and find new and loving himes for them.

you guys obviously do amazing work! well done i will follow your blog religously from now on, i will watch for any updates on little trucker to !

check out my ponys as well

www.wildhorseproject.blogspot.com

Catie said...

You know, I've got some stuff that can wait. I'll be sending in a donation instead for this poor little guy. Many thanks for giving him the care he deserves.