Update on Dublin, January 14, 2020:
When you’re around horses long enough, you see random injuries and accidents that are unavoidable, though often inconvenient and sometimes tragic.
We know Dublin very well. A 16.2 hand, 9 year old big-bodied gelding, he was previously adopted as a well-started prospect for jumpers, then returned when his adopter wasn’t riding enough to justify keeping him. A few weeks ago, he was injured while turned out – either by kicking something or by another horse kicking him. He now has an acute injury to his right hind hock that will require surgery for a chance for him to be sound. (Yes, we have radiographs and we have the opinion of multiple veterinarians).
The sooner surgery happens, the better his prognosis.
Right now, we have 3 options:
Our preferred option is to raise the nearly $3,000 required to cover his surgery, rehabilitate him, re-start him, and see where we’re at soundness-wise. Post-surgery, he may only be sound for flatwork and trails, but it is extremely likely that he will at least be riding sound. Donate to Dublin’s surgery fund here. We are also selling $100 spots on a quality western show outfit; if you’d like to enter, that drawing is here.
The second option is treat the inflammation and allow his body to heal as much as it will on its own, in which case, he will develop significant arthritis in that joint and be a companion horse/pasture pet for the rest of his life.
The third option, which we will seriously consider, is if YOU want to adopt him at no cost, and take charge of his rehabilitation. Fill out the adoption application if this is something you would like to pursue.
Review Dublin’s race history on Equibase.