Rambo a/k/a Beau, isn't even pony size and has survived severe neglect, all at the approx. age of 7!
Rambo is patient, yet stubborn; loving, yet independent. He stands for medical treatment, yet plants all four feet when asked to go somewhere he doesn't want to go! On his second day at the Center, he was dewormed after having his hooves trimmed. Careful deworming will be needed to make sure his healthy, round belly is just that and not parasites. Trimming will continue to be done every three weeks to ensure healthy growth and to regain natural growth of the frogs of the hoof, which serve as a shock absorber for the horse.
The knots and burrs are long gone from his mane and tail, and his halter which was knotted to his mane with tangled hair is now off and replaced with a new one. He now sports a bridlepath and his whiskers are gone. All this and no complaining! He has a super disposition ( I think he knows someone is now caring for him).
October 11, 2004: Rambo has now had his feet trimmed three times, and with the care given by our two incredible farriers/trimmers, he is walking almost normal. The condition of his feet was so horrible that he was literally walking on the sides of his hooves. We are slowly getting the angles corrected to bring him upright, but it will take some time. His front hooves are now almost normal once again! He has thrush, which we are treating, but his little feet are the correct length once again!
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He receives daily care to his injured ankle with a dressing change, soak, and more medication applied. He stands and lets me do everything necessary without even trying to pull his leg away. We just received a shipment of new vet wrap; this time its all teal colored -- at least we finished the pink! The ankle does seem to be improving, ever so slowly. The swelling has been reduced and the flesh has a pink tint to it again. I just don't know what the outcome (prognosis) will be since it was ignored for so many months. The hair has been clipped off the infected area so treatment can be done much easier. That hoof is and will continue to need attention but without flexion in that ankle we are waiting for serious reconstruction until the ankle has a chance to heal for a little while longer.
He is a wonderful little guy and with his new black halter (with bell attached) he is able to roam the yard without us running around looking for him. His best friend is Levi, an 18h Hanovarian!! They, of course, are on different sides of the fence, but I bet even together they would be just fine. We have also found out he considers himself quite the little "stud."
November 21, 2004: Rambo continues to improve even with severely deformed hind hooves. Due to the extreme neglect, they will never regain proper size or angles, but this does not slow him down nor impair his ability to run around the pasture! He thinks he is the boss and even flattens his ears to the other horses who he pastures with. We continue to change his ankle dressings every other day and give him his antibiotics every evening in his 1/2c of grain. His coat is glossy once again and extremely thick for the coming winter months! His mane and tail are clean of burrs, and long and silky. The swelling in the ankle is down but may never completely disappear. He is doing well!!
April 20, 2005: The endless struggle of keeping his ankle infection cleared continues. The vets feel that he might need to undergo debreeding of the wound to remove any bone chips that may be necrotic (dead) and causing the problems. His hooves continue to improve with each trim from the farrier. The angles of his front feet are now once again normal with the rear feet coming along. He is still the same loving, little guy who always wants out first and demands his meals without a wait!
June 8, 2005: Rambo just arrived back at the Center from his surgery last week to evaluate the persistent problem with his leg. At that time, a length of nylon rope was discovered that had imbedded itself around the pastern bone. This alone has caused him pain and ongoing infections. The rope worked its way through his leg tissue to the point of chipping off a segment of the bone. He is recovering from his surgery with drains in his leg and heavy bandages to protect him from further infection. ONLY TIME WILL TELL??!!
March 2008: Rambo is now a sanctuary horse, and has become quite the little ambassador for the Center. He routinely attends fundraising events, such as this one, held at Pizza Hut and recently at Musical Horse Aid in September. He was quite the center of attention with kids and adults alike!
We need your help giving him the care he has become adjusted to~
He requires a complete trim every 4 weeks even after 3 years at the Center. He came to us severely neglected!
