Stetson – Farewell on February 26, 2018

Stetson came to us in June of 2015 from Ventura County Department of Animal Services. He was the first Ventura horse placed in our care. On March 30, 2015, Ventura County Department of Animal Services rescued him as an abandoned eight-year-old gelding from the Oak View area. This handsome buckskin paint quickly became a staff and volunteer favorite due to his friendly, easy-going personality. He was given the name “Stetson,” after the original western hat.

During his time at the shelter, he was frequently lame in his right hind leg. X-rays led to a diagnosis of extensive arthritis in his right stifle joint. Veterinary staff at the Ventura County shelter determined that Stetson would never be able to carry riders.

Even though he is not rideable, shelter staff went to great lengths to find a placement option for this special fellow. Unfortunately, none of the rescues in Ventura County were able to take an unrideable, sanctuary horse. But the shelter staff kept looking for options until they found us. We are do grateful to them for making sure Stetson found a forever home. We only wish he could have been with us much longer than he was.

 

Farewell – February 26, 2018

Yesterday afternoon we lost one of the most beautiful horses that have ever call the ranch home, and our ranch is FULL of beautiful horses. At feeding time, Stetson was found lying in his corral with a compound fracture of his left rear leg. We don’t know what happened. There were five of us out in the area at the time and none of us heard a sound. There is speculation that he was playing and kicked out, entangling his leg in the corral panel.

As you know, broken legs are not generally treatable in horses and his lower leg was completely shattered. While we waited for Dr. Johnson from East County Large Animal Practice ECLAP to arrive, Stetson remained remarkably calm. In fact he demanded to have his dinner, into which we added all of his favorites. We were able to stay with him, telling him what an amazing horse he was. And he truly was amazing. As beautiful as he was on the outside, that beauty was nothing compared to how beautiful his heart was. He was a kind, gentle fellow who loved having volunteers spend time with him.