Horse Tales from the LOPE Ranch

Back at the LOPE Ranch

We are now back home at the LOPE Ranch! The flood damage to the house has been repaired (after nearly six months). We still have some fencing and driveway repairs to do, but two nice pastures are ready for horses again (and full of grass).

Two of LOPE’s retirees, Zuper and Tulsa, are home at the ranch. They were recently joined by Showtime Queen, an adorable four-year-old TB filly from Retama Park. She will be up for adoption after we get to know her a little more. Zuper and Tulsa are showing her the ropes here. So far, Showtime Queen is enjoying her very busy schedule of just grazing and being a horse for awhile.

Until we have finished the remaining repairs, we will be limiting the number of horses at the ranch. We also want to take the opportunity to rest some of the pastures here at LOPE. After years of our adoption herd grazing down the fields, combined with the past extreme drought, the pastures could use some time off to refresh and become healthy again. But we have some exciting plans ahead for putting a LOPE horse or two into extended training at professional training facilities — stay tuned for more details.

If you would like to help or donate toward the last of the repair efforts, LOPE’s needs list includes road base to fix the driveway, labor and materials to repair one 30 foot section of pipe fence, assistance with rebuilding a run-in shed, and help with removing dead trees from the property (the combination of extended drought followed by a flood was too much for many of our trees).

It feels terrific to be at the ranch again! We would like to thank Hy Court Farm, Austin Equine Associates, Graymar Farm and all the LOPE supporters, foster homes and volunteers who helped us through such a difficult time this past spring. We couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Hoof Abscesses

Well, it was bound to happen. After months of drought and rock-hard ground, the rains finally came. And so did the mud -- and the hoof abscesses.

Pogo, Catalissa and Trouble Now all promptly developed abscesses shortly after our first big storms. Catalissa was especially of concern, given his previous bout with laminitis. However, Austin Equine Associates came out and xrayed him -- and there is no further sign of serious problems (whew).

Pogo was very considerate and made sure that his abscess drained quickly (and at the top of the hoof). Catalissa also is improving steadily. Trouble Now is our most challenging abscess case -- with TWO abscesses (he has classic ex-racehorse hooves with thin walls). Fortunately, he loves being in a stall and has been a wonderful patient. He reminds me of those kids who like to stay home sick from school -- so they can watch daytime TV all day.

For our hoof wraps, we use a combination of diaper, vet wrap, Magna Paste and Epsom salts. I used to create elaborate duct tape "booties" to finish off the wrap -- but now I use Soft-Ride boots instead. They keep the vet wrap and diaper dry -- and are much easier to take on and off than the duct-tape versions.

Although abscesses are a chore to deal with, I don't really mind them. After seeing so many horses with more permanent injuries (sesamoid fractures, torn suspensories, etc), I'm happy to work with temporary ailments!

Catalissa’s Fans

Catalissa is our most serious rehab case here at LOPE. Read more about his history and injuries.

Recently, I received a call from Laura, a local exercise rider at Texas tracks. She had heard about Catalissa’s injuries and wanted to see how he was doing. Her voice was emotional as she described working with him at the track -- clearly, Catalissa had been one of her favorites. Laura cleared up the mystery of Catalissa’s very feminine name – she said that his breeder named all his foals after his daughter Lissa.

Then, a few days later, an email came to my inbox from Hilary. She is the assistant to Michael Stidham, a very successful race trainer. Hilary wrote:

“[Michael and I] had no idea about Catalissa; he was claimed from us long ago. But we were shocked when one of the outriders here at Arlington told us of his fate. We would love to help and donate.”

Soon, a check for $400 arrived from Michael Stidham’s racing operation. Hilary also told us some stories about Catalissa -- he was the favorite of the racing barn when they had him. He had a big, confident personality -- and liked to make sure he bucked everyone off (but usually just once -- as a kind of “initiation”).

And last week, Bill, one of our favorite adopters (and silent auction supporters), contacted me. Catalissa had caught his eye -- he had decided to sponsor him!

To top it all off, today I received yet another email about Catalissa. Amber, a former vet tech at Austin Equine Associates, had sent LOPE a donation -- and she wanted to apply it to Catalissa too!

Many people assume that no one cares about ex-racehorses -- especially the injured ones like Catalissa. But as we’ve discovered, Catalissa has quite a fan club from both his racing and rehab days. Thank you Hilary, Laura, Michael, Bill and Amber for supporting Catalissa!