Bo
5/31/11 Update- It's been over a year since my family adopted Bo. He is doing great! He's put on a lot of weight and shed out beautifully this year. His coat has improved so much compared to the condition he was in when you rescued him. The other horses enjoy his company and they all stay close together. Bo loves the trails! We ride him around our farm a lot. We haven't taken him out to Wranglers yet this summer, but we have several trips planned. Anyone can ride him; he is so laid back and loves attention. He's usually the first horse at the gate when we drive up!
9/5/10 Update- Bo did an excellent job on the trail! He was very willing, polite, and steady. He's still learning to neck rein, but he is doing a fantastic job. Dad rode him the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and I rode him on Sunday. Bo acted like he had fun too. He didn't care to go through creeks, up/down hills, on the road, pass other horses, over fallen trees, or anything else I asked him to do. He's a pleasure to ride! I didn't get any action photos because my camera is too nice to take on the trail, but I'll try to get some more pics soon.
6/20/10- Bo has been adopted!
6/1/10- Bo is doing fantastic and will be weaned to a maintenance ration within a week or so. He has an interested adopter who has come to ride him and fingers crossed he has a forever home!
5/22/10- Bo was given his riding evaluation today and he
is awesome! Very comfy for a TB and super willing. We started in the pen... then
it went so well we hit the trail! He is SO laid back and took the trail like a
pro. He was fine leading or following, either way he didn't seem to care and
really enjoyed himself. We have a steep downgrade to a creek you have to cross
and he was a bit perplexed about that. I calmly got off, led him downstream to a
flat area and walked him across. I mounted back up, no incidents. He will need
some practice gaining confidence at the creeks and water crossings.
Sunday I give riding lessons to a little girl of age 7 that lives in the house
at the rescue. She helps with grooming and chores all week to earn her lesson
time. She asked to ride him and we put her up yesterday evening. Bo did terrific
for her as well! (Just walking). His canter is very long, forward and will need
work collecting. He isn't in the shape yet to start collection work, the last
thing he needs is to be sore all over. But he is certainly a well rounded guy
and a most willing partner. He will be a wonderful addition to any riding
family.
5/17/10 Pics-
5/14/10- Bo is doing great! He and LJ went out with horses their own age in the younger herd last week. Both are still very attached to one another, so they are still being separated and stalled at night. Bo should be able to have his riding evaluation at the end of the month, at which point we will know if he will need to be sent for training, or can do his re-schooling in house. We will keep you updated!
4/28/10- Bo had his teeth done today and must feel so much more comfortable! he had quite the overbite and now that his teeth are balanced, they should straighten up nicely. Him & LJ both went out in the senior herd over the weekend, they are doing just fine and are being separated and stalled over night.
4/19/10- Dr. King saw Bo this week and was impressed with his recovery thus far. Bo's rain rot is improving steadily with the help of the warm weather and weekly baths. He is a great guy and likes bath time! Bo now weighs in at 935 lbs. As you can see from his pics, Bo has much more energy now and is finally starting to feel like a 4 year old Thoroughbred again! He has beautiful gaits and carries himself wonderfully. He is absolutely stunning in action. We are hoping to have his riding evaluation next month. Little John and Bo will remain together for another few weeks and then LJ will meet the young herd and Bo the seniors for now.
3/24/10- Bo is progressing and was started on his worming power pack this week. His hooves will be trimmed tomorrow. His leg wounds have heeled up and his rain rot is improving. We are actually starting to see new hair growth in some areas. His coat must be treated 2-3 times per week with antifungal/bacterial spray. Not only are these treatments expensive, but its starting to test Bo's patience, who is feeling better and not afraid to show it! He is a sweet guy, if perhaps a bit stubborn... Bo now weighs 890 pounds. He is right on track weight wise and we are pleased at his optimal gain thus far. This boy still has a long road in front of him. Please consider a donation to help Bo heal.
2/26/10- Blood work has come back relatively normal for Bo. His temperature has stayed normal and he is receiving the last of his antibiotics today. The vet has indicated that we are trying to de-scab him too quickly and that it will take months to get the rain rot picked away. We were able to scrub him with a worm iodine surgical scrub over the weekend. We do have him powdered and blanketed now. His legs are not swollen, the pockets of swelling above his eyes have gone down. He has more energy and they are eating up a storm. Bo is 16 hands and 840 pounds. We have at least 200 pounds to gain.
2/22/10- Bo's fever broke over the weekend but he is still feeling pretty icky. We got his legs completely treated and they are much less swollen now. His rain rot is the most severe we have ever seen, and the process of removing the infected skin has to be a slow one. The shelter is up and the boys love it! They are now eating beet pulp and alfalfa pellets along with their hay. At the end of the week, we will start incorporating Triple Crown Growth to their ration. So far Bo is responding well to treatment. We are still awaiting lab results and we will go from there.
INTAKE- 2/17/10- Bo (and his friend Little John) has been relinquished to the rescue by concerned citizens who have been desperately trying to get the horses help instead of watching them starve. They were able to talk the owner into giving them custody & got in touch with us to bring them in. Bo was in formal race training, but wasn't fast enough so he was turned out & obviously neglected. He is a 4 YO registered TB gelding Barry Said So. He is in very bad shape and is very lethargic. He has a temperature, an upper respiratory infection, severe rain rot, oozing infections on his hind legs, swollen areas from lack of protein & he is extremely emaciated- a 1 on the scale. Due to his long coat, its hard to see in the pictures just how bad he really is. The vet has pulled blood for panels and has left several antibiotics for him. He is currently in quarantine. We will be cleaning him up this evening, this will be a tender process. Most of the skin on his entire body is so infected it will slough off. We are hoping this guy will pull through. We will keep you posted.
Donations are needed to offset the costs of his rehabilitation. He is going to need months of careful re-feeding and vet care. Temporary shelter is needed for his quarantine and can be purchased for under $200.00 at TSC. Please consider a donation to help him heal.
