Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue
Retired Horses
Some of the horses we have rescued have special needs, for either physical or age related reasons, which mean we believe theyare best served by remaining within the organization. Only under very unusual circumstances - for example, another reputable organization better designed to offer permanent sanctuary or retirement offering to take one or more of them - would we consider transferring these horses. However, the space/physical and financial cost for SCTR of offering permanent sanctuary is considerable; adoptions free up space and funds, and generate income for SCTR. Consequently, our retired horses are among those most in need of Horse Angels!.
To contribute to Ashland's ongoing care costs in retirement, you can donate here:
Here are our current retired horses, along with their stories.
Ashland Rose (1989)
Ashland Rose (1989) is a bay mare by Flying Paster and from a Wing Out mare Quiet Flight, who was bred in CA by Ed Friendly,
and raced 26 times earning $102,775. Her races included a Blacktype two year old win in the Woodside Stakes at Bay Meadows
in 1991 and third place finish in the Bay Meadows Burlingame Stakes. Ashland had eight registered thoroughbred foals,
including 6 starters and 3 winners by California sires including Devon Lane, General Meeting, Memo, Smokester, and Swiss
Yodeler.
An older horse, Ashland Rose took many months to fully gain weight and condition. These photographs were taken by professional photographer Laurie Taylor roughly three months after she arrived at SCTR:and raced 26 times earning $102,775. Her races included a Blacktype two year old win in the Woodside Stakes at Bay Meadows
in 1991 and third place finish in the Bay Meadows Burlingame Stakes. Ashland had eight registered thoroughbred foals,
including 6 starters and 3 winners by California sires including Devon Lane, General Meeting, Memo, Smokester, and Swiss
Yodeler.
Ashland last ran through a mixed bloodstock auction in September 2006, where she failed to meet her reserve, foaled her last
baby in April 2007, and was next seen at a low end auction in Mira Loma in November 2009. There, she was purchased by
another rescue organization, to prevent her from shipping to slaughter. She was subsequently surrendered to SCTR by that
organization in April 2010. This is her condition upon arrival at SCTR:
baby in April 2007, and was next seen at a low end auction in Mira Loma in November 2009. There, she was purchased by
another rescue organization, to prevent her from shipping to slaughter. She was subsequently surrendered to SCTR by that
organization in April 2010. This is her condition upon arrival at SCTR:
To contribute to Ashland's ongoing care costs in retirement, you can donate here:
Noble Gambler (2004)
Noble Gambler was admitted to SCTR following his breakdown during his second race at the age of four at Hollywood Park in
July 2008. Gambler, a gelded son of In Excess, is a huge horse and had essentially destroyed his suspensory apparatus,
sustained a low bow, and chipped a sesamoid, some of which had occurred during his last race and some at an earlier date per
an initial veterinary examination and x-rays. Our vet recommended application of a gel cast for a period of time, however
Gambler reacted badly to the blistering agent in the casts and we were subsequently unable to use them.
Blistering under the gel cast.
July 2008. Gambler, a gelded son of In Excess, is a huge horse and had essentially destroyed his suspensory apparatus,
sustained a low bow, and chipped a sesamoid, some of which had occurred during his last race and some at an earlier date per
an initial veterinary examination and x-rays. Our vet recommended application of a gel cast for a period of time, however
Gambler reacted badly to the blistering agent in the casts and we were subsequently unable to use them.
Despite our vet's concern that founder was likely, Gambler has survived a lengthy rehab and remained a very cheerful horse.
However, he is unlikely to ever be pasture sound per a final vet evaluation, and will need to be maintained in a relatively small
paddock or large corral. Gambler is currently living with a group of SCTR horses at the family farm of a volunteer in Moreno
Valley, and receives visitors and fans there. He's an incredibly gentle, friendly horse and we're proud to have him healthy and
with us.
However, he is unlikely to ever be pasture sound per a final vet evaluation, and will need to be maintained in a relatively small
paddock or large corral. Gambler is currently living with a group of SCTR horses at the family farm of a volunteer in Moreno
Valley, and receives visitors and fans there. He's an incredibly gentle, friendly horse and we're proud to have him healthy and
with us.
Gambler upon arrival at SCTR in 2008 - left front leg is the injured one, note the angle of left front pastern and size of the ankle
area:
area:
Blistering under the gel cast.
Two and a half years later...he's gained weight, jogs sound on (limited) flexion, but it's unlikely to ever be safe to turn him out
in pasture. Laurie Taylor has done a wonderful job of capturing his beauty.
If you would like to contribute to Gambler's ongoing care costs, please donate here:
in pasture. Laurie Taylor has done a wonderful job of capturing his beauty.
If you would like to contribute to Gambler's ongoing care costs, please donate here:
Shelley Creek (2007)
We first saw Shelley Creek, a 2007 filly by Unbridled Native from High Brite mare Miss Golden Goal, on a low end auction lot in
December of 2008, as a yearling. She had saddle marks, swollen knees and a horribly crooked left front leg. We were outbid
that day,but the following month Shelley was back and we won her for $75 bidding against a kill dealer.
December of 2008, as a yearling. She had saddle marks, swollen knees and a horribly crooked left front leg. We were outbid
that day,but the following month Shelley was back and we won her for $75 bidding against a kill dealer.
Shelley's knees were open and there was considerable inflammation in both, partly a result of inappropriate nutrition, requiring
a special diet, frequent corrective hoof trimming, and limited controlled exercise for a period of time. However, within a few
months, the inflammation completely subsided and her knees closed. Her right leg now looks completely normal, however her
left front leg will always be "bowed" between the knee and ankle. Shelley will never be able to bear weight safely, but so far she
has been perfectly pasture sound. This young horse should never have been started under saddle.
a special diet, frequent corrective hoof trimming, and limited controlled exercise for a period of time. However, within a few
months, the inflammation completely subsided and her knees closed. Her right leg now looks completely normal, however her
left front leg will always be "bowed" between the knee and ankle. Shelley will never be able to bear weight safely, but so far she
has been perfectly pasture sound. This young horse should never have been started under saddle.
Shelley in January 2009, the day after her auction rescue: she had also appeared to have worn the same halter for the month
between auctions, and suffered some minor nerve damage as a result across her nose band which seems to have pretty much
healed.
Shelley's front legs, January 2009
Six months later....
between auctions, and suffered some minor nerve damage as a result across her nose band which seems to have pretty much
healed.
Shelley's front legs, January 2009
Six months later....
Shelley resides in a semi-pasture board situation at the family ranch of a friend of SCTR with Ashland Rose. Her left leg will
never be straight, but she's perfectly healthy and pain free. If you would like to donate to the ongoing cost of Shelley's care,
you can do so here:
never be straight, but she's perfectly healthy and pain free. If you would like to donate to the ongoing cost of Shelley's care,
you can do so here:
