Joe is an 8YO registered Quarterhorse gelding, gelded on March 11. He was relinquished to Ruby Ranch by someone who sold his horse property and couldn't find a home for his stallion. He has not been used as a breeding stallion for about 4-5 years. He stands at about 14.3, just over 1000 lbs. and is very well built. He was purchased by his owner at the Denver Stock Show in 2005 for $5000. The catalogue description of him at that time is that he is a "sharp, stocky, easy to handle stallion. Shown at NWSS in 2004 placing 4th in halter. Beautiful flying lead changes and turns. He has also been used on the ranch and will go anywhere smoothly." His registration papers show Skippa W lineage. Joe is very well mannered and we are told has trail ridden with mares and is a perfect gentleman. He has not been assessed by RRHR under saddle due to some corrective farrier care that Joe needed.
Update - May 19: Joe injured his left hind pastern area. He punctured the tendon sheath and has been undergoing extensive antiobiotic infusions in that area to curtail the infection. He has been at Dr. Unruhs' office (Colorado Equine Veterinary Service in Peyton) since Wednesday, May 19, and will be returning to Ruby Ranch May 28. We are hoping he makes a full recovery. All of the folks at Colorado Equine are taking good care of him and say what we already know, "What a super horse!" If you are able to contribute toward his veterinarian expenses, we at Ruby Ranch would be most appreciative. As always, your donations are tax deductible as a contribution to a public charity.
Update - May 30: Joe is home and resting comfortably but not necessarily patiently in his stall. He is confined except for two 10-minute outings for hand grazing. We have a buddy system to keep him company; each one of his pasture mates takes a turn in the stall next to him so that he always has company. There is a 33% chance that his injury will not resolve and that he may need to be euthanized. Apparently a puncture to the tendon sheath is one of the more critical injuries a horse could suffer. Your donations toward his veterinary care are much needed at this time. Thank you for any amount that you may be able to contribute!
Update - June 2: Dr. Unruh inspected Joe's wound and is "cautiously optimistic." The real test is when Joe is taken off antibiotics in about two weeks. We can't say enough how much we appreciate Dr. Unruh and his staff for tending to Joe and providing a service above and beyond what Ruby Ranch expected. Thank you Dr. Unruh!
Update - June 27: Joe has been off antibiotics for 10 days and is showing no signs of reinfection of that tendon sheath. He is walking normally with no hint of lameness and is oh so ready to be out of his stall/pen confinement! He gets a recheck with Dr. Unruh in the morning to be sure that all is still going ok.
Update - June 28: Joe had a positive checkup with Dr. Unruh. He has been given privileges in a larger pen instead of the stall and small pen that he has been confined to. The swelling is down and there appears to be no reinfection of that tendon sheath. If he goes for another 30 days with no problems then we are home free!
Update - July 30: Dr. Unruh cleared Joe for even more privileges today. He says Joe has a slight limp at the trot but that should clear up within the next 30 days or so as the tendon sheath and nerve continue to heal. We are celebrating!
Not for adoption at this time.