Angel (Streaking Blue Angel)

On Sunday, February 17, 2013 our beloved Streakin Blue Angel, age 29, suffered a debilitating stroke. Our wonderful volunteers Andrea, Jenna, and Linda stayed with her while we waited for the veterinarian to arrive. They did a wonderful job keeping Angel still and calm, while comforting her.

Given the degree of her clinical signs, it was determined that Angel could not recover from the stroke, so with the assistance of our veterinarian, we said our final farewell to our Angel.

Angel's life before coming to Horses of Tir Na Nog was not what she deserved. Angel was a retired American Quarter Horse race horse. She won a few races and was then bred heavily for a number of years. In 2000, she was rescued from starvation by an organization in Riverside. After rehabilitation, she was passed between three different owners. Angel's last owner had health issues that prevented her from giving Angel a forever home.

Fortunately, Angel found her forever home with Horses of Tir Na Nog. However, she arrived in April 2006 and we lost our boarding lease in July of that year. Angel then began an exodus with us as we searched for Horses of Tir Na Nog's forever home, that did not end until March 2008. In spite of these difficult, uncertain times, Angel remained a gentle mare who thrived on the attention volunteers lavished on her. It was also during this time that she befriended Dottie, our very anxious appy mare who tends to become aggressive with other horses. These two mares formed a very special bond, while providing Dottie with the quiet leadership she craved.

2012 brought health challenges for Angel. She suddenly had trouble maintaining a healthy weight. Our wonderful veterinarians at East County Large Animal Practice diagnosed her with Wobbler Syndrome, a neurologic condition. Fortunately she responded to the treatments well and we saw her weight return, her coat regain its luster, and the spring come back into her step.

During her time with us, through our organization's challenges and her own health challenges, Angel developed a very special reputation. She was known for her gentle kindness towards our volunteers. In fact, Angel was famous for her hugs. She would rest her head on your shoulder while you were cleaning or press her head up against your chest so that volunteers would wrap their arms around her head. A hug from Angel was a very special gift.

We are grateful for the years we shared with Angel and celebrate her well-earned set of wings!tired American Quarter Horse race horse and has lines out of Streakin Six. She won a few races, and was then bred 8 times in 10 years. When she was rescued by another organization, around 2000, she and her 10 day old foal only weighed a total of 900 pounds combined. After rehab, she was owned by three different people who used Angel as a trail horse. Angel's last owner recognized that personal health issues were preventing her from giving Angel the care she deserved.

We believe that Angel suffers from narcolepsy, a rare condition in horses. The condition is evident when previous owners would saddle her for riding and she would act like she was going to fall over. Unfortunately, this was identified as a "problem behavior" that Angel had developed to avoid being ridden. After she came to us, we had a chance to see the same behavior while she was eating, which led us to believe that she suffers from narcolepsy. In spite of this condition, Angel is doing well and enjoying the company of her equine neighbors.