MISSING A FRIEND

  • Chestnut Arabian Gelding
  • Entry Date – 9/25/12  at approximately 25 years of age
  • Type of rescue – Surrendered to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department
  • Reason – Extremely underweight
  • Special needs – Special feeds and Pergolide (to manage Cushing’s disease)

Investigating a report of two neglected horses pastured in the Applegate, a Jackson County deputy accepted an owner surrender of the two animals and called Equamore Sanctuary for help. That same afternoon, however, the owner allowed Equamore volunteers to take only the older horse to sanctuary. Sadly, the volunteers had no choice but to leave the younger, healthier palomino completely alone in his field, despite his need as a herd animal for the companionship of others of his kind.

Raffie, the older horse, was taken to the Sanctuary where he was examined by Dr. Ferguson of Rogue Valley Equine. He was extremely thin and, despite the fall season, had not shed his thick coat from the previous winter. Since a retained coat is a possible symptom of “Cushing’s Disease,” Raffie’s blood was tested and confirmed that he does, indeed, have the condition. A dental exam proved that his teeth were in horrific condition: six were already missing, and one more had to be extracted before his remaining teeth were floated.  To make matters worse, Raffie also has a broken tail. Bent into a fixed position to the right, it can no longer be use to swat flies. How Raffie came to be in this condition is unknown at this time

Raffie has an enormous appetite and is expected to recover a healthy body weight in the next few months. He is already in the pasture grazing with the other geldings during his daily turnout. As yet, he has made no new friends. Most likely he is just waiting for his former grey Arab friend Bojingles to join him in his newfound paradise.