Update on Dublin, September 2, 2020:
Dublin became critically ill with an acute respiratory illness during the last week of August. We immediately involved our veterinarian and started medications. After an initial improvement, he went downhill with a fever that would not come down despite treatment. He was humanely euthanized and buried at his foster’s farm.
Update on Dublin, March 11, 2020:
To date, we have raised less than $600 toward Dublin’s surgery. At this point, that basically translates to him being adoptable as a big pet / companion gelding. Donations received will gratefully cover his initial vet bill and anti-inflammatory medication.
*An approved adopter can certainly opt to do surgery if they and their vet so desire. Dublin is currently comfortable as a pasture pet and can be adopted as such.
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.
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.
Review Dublin’s race history on Equibase.
Things to know about our process:
- We adopt within 200 miles of zip code 37048, Cottontown TN, with a few exceptions.
- We require an in-person meeting to ensure an appropriate match between horse and rider.
- You must go through our approval process, including submitting references, prior to meeting the horse or ‘test rides’ – this is out of respect for everyone’s time including our volunteers and foster farms. Providing complete and accurate information helps us process your application faster.
- Horses are up to date on routine care including vaccinations and Coggins, and complementary therapies if we feel they are needed (IE massage, chiropractic, MagnaWave, acupuncture, etc.)
- PPE’s from adopter’s veterinarian are always welcome. We will work with you but do ask that vetting is done within 7 days of committing to adopt out of respect for everyone’s time.
- Our adoption agreement is a lifetime safety net with no breeding, no auction, no slaughter terms. We will always take back or assist with re-homing any Safe Harbor adoptee.