By Kim Mosiman | Executive Director
We can finally introduce you to Rocky, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred Gelding by Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone. Sold as a yearling, raced 8 times on a track down in California, and ended up in a Hood River Animal Control Neglect Case in May of 2022. For the last 13 months we have quietly cared for Rocky while his case worked it way through the system. Finally in June of this year, we gained legal ownership of Rocky.
Sound Equine Options agreed to take Rocky on in protective custody and get him the care he needed. Our veterinarian found that Rocky was approximately 250 lbs underweight and covered in lice. His hooves were weak, overgrown, unbalanced and chipped. He had a serious wound in his forearm area that was approximately 5 inches long, 5 inches deep and appeared to be non-healing. There was a severe amount of granulation tissue in the wound and an active infected draining tract. Our veterinarian estimated that the wound was between 2 to 4 weeks old. This type of wound, if not addressed right away, takes A LOT of time, work and repeated veterinary treatments to heal.
Over the next 10 months, Rocky had every other week veterinary exams and minor debridement surgeries, every other week bandage changes, stall rest, stomach pumping after breaking into the grain storage area and allergy diagnosis and treatments. Finally in April of 2023, the veterinarian cleared Rocky for full turnout! After such a long period of confinement, this good-tempered big guy was so happy for his arena turnout, but tired quickly and took some long naps after exercise.
He hit the jackpot when Wild Turkey Farm agreed to foster him for a couple of months. They have been the perfect spot for Rocky to get the care, exercise and time he needed to prepare for training. In July, Rocky will be heading to trainer Stacey Riggs barn to see how much training he has. Does he only have racetrack training or has someone put more time and energy into teaching him? We have no idea how many homes he has been through, but we will make sure to set him up for success for his next, hopefully last home!
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