Lorenzo

Arrival Date:  January 16, 2024

Farewell Date:  May 1, 2026

 

On January 16, 2024, two geldings arrived at the ranch. They had both been abandoned, separately, in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park.

On December 9, 2023 this twenty-five-year-old Appaloosa was found abandoned near where a sorrel Lobo had been abandoned on November 21, 2023. Fortunately, both horses were rescued by San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement. Both geldings received much-needed care and veterinary attention at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus. This care allowed them both to recover.

During their recovery, the Appaloosa was diagnosed with significant arthritis in three of his four legs. Daily pain medication is providing him with comfort. We hope that he will respond well to steroid injections in his joints.

The one thing we were not prepared for is how bonded these two boys had become during their time with the San Diego Humane Society. There is no indication that they knew each other before they were abandoned. But they are clearly very good friends.

Fortunately, a special friend of Horses of Tir Na Nog has generously undertaken a full sponsorship of this beautiful gelding.   As part of that sponsorship, this striking Appaloosa has now been named Lorenzo.  As one of those funny coincidences in life, completely unknown to the sponsor, one of Lorenzo’s two brands is a circle with a “Z” in it.  And now we have Lorenzo and Lobo enjoying their new life together at Horses of Tir Na Nog.

 

Farewell Date:  May 1, 2026

 

Recently, Lorenzo had become increasingly lame. Updated x-rays showed extensive osteophytes.  Dr. Rivett started him on a second-pain medication, one specifically for nerve pain.  While we saw some improvement in the length of his stride and a return of some of his sparkle, it didn’t address his lameness.

We had initially hoped that steroid injections would work well for him.  Unfortunately, due to the arthritic changes in his joints, it would not be possible to access the joints for the steroids.  As Dr. Rivett explained, we simply had no more treatment options for him.

This was heartbreaking news and didn’t make it any easier to say goodbye to one of the sweetest horses at the ranch.

While we miss Lorenzo terribly, our hearts find solace in knowing he is free of pain and limitations of his broken body.  He must have been an amazing sight to see running full speed across the Rainbow Bridge, his gorgeous red leopard coat reflecting heavenly light.  Run, Lorenzo, Run!  We love you and will miss you forever.