Double Eagle - unforgettable, and in our hearts always.  To watch you run and play one day, only to find you lifeless the next broke our hearts. We will never know what claimed you, only you claimed our hearts forever.

Words can not express how I felt when I saw the horrible gaping, oozing wound in this poor colts leg.  It was evident it had been there a long time, filled with handfuls of proud flesh, dripping blood and ichor.  He couldn't bend his leg due to the large amount of proud flesh and swelling.  I worked into the pen, unsure as to his reception of the intrusion and was rewarded as  he let me run my hand down his swollen leg looking for bone splinters.  It was obvious this little stud colt had a loving disposition. No one was going to stop me bringing him home.  He was so scared when we were loading up that he sat right down on the ground.  He was shaking.  After soothing words and assurances that he was not going to slaughter, he loaded.  The photo shows the wound after it was thoroughly cleansed.  He requires treatment every day to remove the proud flesh and it will probably be months before it is completely healed.  In the meantime, my hubby has fallen in love with this beautiful boy.  Turns out he is a registered APHA out of some fantastic lines.  Not that it matters, I think Buck will be part of our family for a long time to come.  He is NOT up for adoption at  this time.  Just another example of a horse that no one wanted to bother with.  He dearly loves John and nickers every time he sees my husband.  During all the painful treatment he has never ever offered to bite or kick.

 

Bucks leg has healed nicely, but he still has some problems walking. We are working with therapy to help the muscles in his wounded leg. It turns out that Buck had a tremendous infection in three of his feet, that has been successfully treated. He walks with more confidence. Buck has always been a sweet, loving boy during all the painful treatments he has had to endure. He is a special needs horse and very special to his favorite person, John.

 

Buck lost his battle against the crippling disease "wobbles" on Jan. 13, 2007. John and I were with him as he passed. Our, consolation, that he was running free and with out pain. Buck taught us so much about living your life that is given you, even for such a short time. He was loving, gentle and forgiving. He knew we were doing all we could to help him. If tears could have healed him, it wasn't for lack of them. He was "Johns'" boy and Grampa will miss him terribly. Buck loved to bury his soft nose in your hair, and big sloppy kisses. We were blessed to have had the honor to be loved by such a special being. To know he is flying across the green fields strong, healthy and beautiful, with Attitudie running beside him, brings some peace to our hearts.

Wobbler Syndrome is a serious disease that strikes mainly quarter horses or thoroughbreds and mostly male. It is a disease of the nervous system and the true cause is unknown. It is attributed to CVM (cervical vertebral malformation).

There are several web sites or vet books that will give you details on this serious and heartbreaking disease. I know that the more beautiful Buck became, the more he filled out and began to mature, the worse it got. To see this beautiful boy begin to lose his battle was heart breaking. We hoped he might be one of the lucky few to outgrow it. Surgery was not an option due to the intensity and rapid development of the condition. Buck was a rescue. Knowing that we would eventually lose him, would not have changed our minds. His year with us was full of love and the joy of having him with us. It was, also, a test of our courage, to make the decision to let him go, with dignity and love. We didn't fail him. This is our last picture of Buck, with his favorite person-John.

My special boy Rowdy. He seems to have been born under a dark star. First his foot injury that caused him to come to us. It was determined by the vet that light riding would be appropriate. However, I made a terrible mistake in trusting this beautiful animal to an evil, lying man who took my boy and badly abused him. He promised that his small boys would ride him and then took him into the feedlots. I can't express my unbelievable anger and disbelief at such blatant lies. I took my Rowdy back thinner, sadder and in pain. The Vet said his injury was worsened by the hard treatment, but he could still use light exercise. Eventually, the bones will fuse in his fetlock and he will not be able to bend it. I apologize to Rowdy every day that I made that horrible mistake in judgment. He is a beautiful animal that is beginning to be the same Rowdy he was when he left. He needs a home where he can run free until the pain becomes too much for him. Rowdy is receiving daily care for his injuries and will not be available for adoption, but we welcome any person or family who would be willing to foster Rowdy and help with the costs of his care.

Martha's Ticket is a new rescue to Break Heart.  She is a 29 year old Thoroughbred mare that was starving in Omaha. We affectionately call her Maria.  Her owner didn't understand or care about the needs of a geriatric horse. Two wonderful women brought her to Break Heart. Maria is a great-granddaughter of the great "Citation".  After an injury put an end to her racing career, she was used as a brood mare for many years.  How she ended up in such deplorable condition is a story only she knows.  She is a sweet gentle grand old lady.  Instead of living her life out on green pastures, she has been forced into a struggle to survive.  She is a gentle horse with a lot to give and good years ahead of her, if we can give her the care she needs. Maria has few teeth, so she needs regular dental work and special feed. She is hundreds of pounds down in weight, but is a tough old girl. Maria is a special needs horse and will be under Break Heart's supervision for the rest of her life.

Martha's Ticket (Maria) has a dark secret.  She loves to roll in the mud!  These pictures were taken just after she was all cleaned up and I ran in to get the camera.  However, even through the mud, you can see how much weight she has put on.  Still more to go, but the tough old lady can still act like a silly girl at times.  Maria is wearing a new red blanket, but wasn't sure she could take time out of her busy day for photos!

 

This baby was born on a cold frosty morning - his legs were so long and he had trouble getting up.  He was the foal of Lakota Moon, a wonderful Mustang rescue sired by Dancer, our paint stallion.  We had this beautiful child for six months before we lost him to colic.  I want all people to be aware that colic is the number one killer of horses.  We still miss him.