Duke

Arrival Date:  March 8, 2024

Farewell Date:  March 25, 2025

 

On February 16, 2024, County of San Diego Department of Animal Services rescued a 25-year-old gelding from neglect.  He was emaciated. Also, he had overgrown hooves, dental issues and undiagnosed lameness.  Given his medical issues and overall condition, the Department of Animal Services asked us to take him in. Clearly, this boy needed both appropriate feed and veterinary care.

He arrived at the ranch on March 8, 2024. We are grateful to Christine Sperry for transporting him to he ranch for us, and was so patient, reassuring and calming as he scoped out his new surroundings and the horses that watched and greeted him to Horses of Tir Na Nog.

Soon after his arrival, Dr. Harlan examined him and performed a dental float on him. This should make it easier for him to eat and help him gain weight. Many of his teeth are worn out, so pellets will be a big part of this fellow’s diet.  He is already proven to be a good eater and as he puts on weight in the coming months, he is sure to become an even more handsome guy.  We’re also happy for the current sunshine as he absolutely loves taking long naps in the sun.

These photographs show what a difference YOU make in the lives of our horses.  These were taken when Duke arrived in March 2024, and just three months later in June 2024.  Today, thanks to your support, Duke is hardly recognizable.    The photo gallery shows the remarkable transformation in Duke’s condition when he arrived to how he looks just three months later.

We are so grateful to Chrissy and Kim for sponsoring this handsome fellow.  They chose the name Duke to start this new boys new life.  The name Duke was chosen in memory of their beloved pup who passed away.

 

Farewell Date:  March 25, 2025

 

On Tuesday, March 25 everything was normal. Duke did a great job eating his breakfast. Around 12:30, he was napping with Dale, napping close by in the adjacent corral. We scolded him for napping too close to the fence, but everything appeared fine. At 2:30, he was still laying down.   He got up following our verbal encouragement, but when he did it was clear that he was covered in sweat. Although his heart rate was normal, the sweat and lack of gut sounds was extremely alarming. We immediately administered medication and called our veterinarians at ECLAP. Dr. Rivett came immediately, by which time his heartrate was alarmingly high. Dr. Rivett preformed a lactate test. This simple blood test takes seconds to preform and helps assess the severity and prognosis of a colic, with higher levels indicating a poorer outcome and possible intestinal ischemia (reduced blood flow to the intestines, leading to tissue damage). A result of 2 is normal. Duke’s results were 18. This left us without any treatment options. She suspects some sort of strangulation of the intestines, possibly a lipoma given the sudden, acute onset.

As we were saying our good byes to our beautiful golden boy, several of his mares called out to him. In spite of his condition, he whinnied back loudly. As heartbroken as we were we had to smile. That was pure Duke, a flirt until the very end. And that is how we will always remember our golden boy, so handsome and so full of life.

Thank you for supporting the work that we do. While a year was for too short a time with Duke, it was your support that allowed for his transformation and gave him a year of health, love and girlfriends!