Eeyore

From AlexBrownRacing

Remembering Eeyore

Date of Entrance to the Rainbow Bridge: winter 2006-2007

Breed and age if known: big black Percheron gelding Age: elderly

Rescue Horse was at: The Equihab Foundation

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Background Information

Eeyore had his bail sponsored out of a killpen, possibly by a FoB. He was discarded because he had hoof canker. We here at Equihab had recently successfully cured a belgian with canker, so we were prepared to do it all again.

However, when we went to pick him up, we found him to be in far worse shape. Perhaps if we had gotten to him sooner, maybe we could have done more? Owners need to recognize what canker is and get prompt treatment or give the horse to someone who will treat the ailment. All of his feet were badly infected. He was also having big problems with Cushings and was showing mild but chronic laminitis signs.

He was a nice guy but he was probably fighting the infection for years. He was so used to his feet hurting and any hoofcare to hurt that nobody could get close to his hooves. We tried large doses of tranquilizers, extra helpers, a one-leg hobble, & every training method you could think of. We still couldn't get close enough to safely treat the underside of all his feet, even with lots of sedation. He was such a sweetheart otherwise, but stomping anyone touching his feet was such a habit. Our vet could not get close enough to do any treatment, and if she couldn't with the help of drugs, we could not do it on the needed daily basis that canker requires.

We did not have him long. We gave him a few months off in a relaxed environment with lots of love and attention. When it got harder for him to walk around, we knew it was time to let him go.

Eeyore helped other horses in his passing. Canker is a rare but fatal ailment. Samples of the diseased tissues were sent to New Bolton as well as three farrier/podiatrists throughout the country. What they learned from the samples may help them cure the next horse who comes along.

Eeoye and the other canker horse, Spongey, also helped inspire the Equine Canker Discussion List, the first online group devoted only to understanding and treating hoof canker in equines.

In Loving Memory

Sorry, Eeroye. We did not get to know you long, but you were a special guy.