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| ARRIVED |
December 2006 |
| ADOPTABILITY |
Adopted! summer 2008 |
| SPONSORED BY |
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feed
sponsored by Amiya's family, thanks!!!
-
medical
sponsor(s) desperately needed (see below) -- even $25 would
help us to cover some of his extensive veterinary bills, medicine
& supplements.
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| BREED/AGE |
10-year old
(1998 model), reg TB gelding, 16+hh
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Gin's Boy
aka Tangeray Gin (Jin)

(click
photos to enlarge)
Summary:
Gin was bred to be a racer, but did better as a training
partner. He was then retired to hunter/jumper work but
quickly showed talent as a dressage mount. In January
06, Gin's owner noticed he was a little off, and spent a
lot of time and money trying to diagnose his issues. In
December 06, when she could no longer afford to care for
him, she donated him to CWER, with hopes that we can
analyze and resolve his pain, provide him the 24/7
turnout he needs to heal, and put his life back on track
to a great future as a dressage mount!
After his initial
veterinary/chiropractic exam, we were cautiously
confident that we'll be able to help Gin and get this
incredibly sweet and willing boy back to the work he so
obviously loves. As time progresses, we're thrilled to
see steady progress in Gin's healing. We remain cautious
but very hopeful that he will return to the dressage
work he seems to truly enjoy. As of October 07, Gin has
recovered from his hoof injury, and is currently
enjoying and being quite forward in work under saddle, sound! We are thrilled to find he is no longer sluggish
and timid when riding, yet he remains easy to manage and
all in all just a joy to work. He is obviously enjoying
riding, with his ears pricked, happy to trot upon
request, but not rushing anything. His walk is smooth
and has a great swing, with no more dragging his feet or
timidness when asked to walk pr trot out strongly.
CWER History: (see
also: history from the owner, below)
When Gin arrived, he was in desperate need of the care of an exceptional
vet/chiropractor combination or team. After his first
adjustments, above
all, Gin required 24/7 turnout for months, and
potentially for the foreseeable future, to avoid
recurring problems. Sadly, his boarding situation did
not allow for this type of care, and his owner, having
exhausted all her resources, turned to us to help him. Jen
did her very best to care for Gin, and went far above
and beyond what most owners would have tried. We're
honored that Jen has trusted us with Gin's future, and
will do our very best to fix his health and then find
the right life for him.
December 2006 intake &
vet care notes: Gin was
transferred to us in Muncie at Victory Stables
(thanks, Victory). What stepped off the trailer was a
tall, leggy, incredibly fit and well toned sorrel
chestnut gelding with lots of spirit and personality.
Just to prove how bright he is, he'd opened his dutch
door at the hauler's farm overnight and let himself into
a paddock where he covered himself and his shipping
wraps in mud! We let him play in the indoor, then eased
him out of his blanket, and watched the big fellow move.
What we saw was an amazingly well muscled, eager,
willing boy who really WANTS to please, and who had some
odd stiffness in his neck that was radiating into the
shoulders, maybe the legs, maybe the back, we just
weren't sure. None of us could agree that he was
"off" anywhere, or if he was, what exactly we
saw. Mike saw a short stride; AM saw a ratchet-i-ness
(is that a word?) to his neck and shoulder, with issues
up to his atlas (where the neck meets the skull);
Kaluf's saw a big, fancy looking thoroughbred whose
movement just wasn't quite right.
At home the next day, Gin made
fast friends, and quickly fell in love, with Factor.
The two enjoyed turnout together in the arena, where Gin
stretched his legs and happily played! What a big,
showy, majestic fellow this is!
On Tuesday, 12/26/06, Gin and Lil
D were trucked to Tolono to Dr King's small animal
practice so that he could give us initial evaluations
ASAP. (Thanks, yet again, Dr King, for making special
time for our special cases.) Dr King's findings were
similar to the bone scan -- he found issues in basically
every major structural area -- from jaw to withers, from
back to tail, from shoulders to hooves and rump to
hooves again. But, unlike the bone scan, Dr King was
able to look at root causes and to begin to treat those
key areas where Gin showed the most discomfort. The
vertebrae joints that had previously had HA and
cortisone injections showed clear misalignment on the
bone scan images. Dr King was able to motion each joint,
and begin the process of easing them back into position
and proper fluid motion. Dr King also saw a kidney
imbalance that would cause a decrease in Gin's
production of key chemicals that keep joints fluid and
mobile, thus providing another underlying cause that
would lead to the amount of joints out of alignment in
Gin's body.
We had planned for Gin to foster at
Tracy's farm with Prince;
however, his complete lack of winter coat and need for
regular monitoring made that impractical, so Gin
remained at CWER for the winter -- most of which he
spent wearing 2 or even 3 blankets and a hood!
He was immediately put onto a special
supplement for the kidney issue. And, he is
slated for chiropractic and possibly acupuncture care
every other Saturday until his symptoms and their causes
all appear to be resolved.
At his December, January and
February appointments we were advised he was still not
be ridden, but after his next appointment he may be
released to walk/trot lunging like he was doing at his
old farm, to remain fit, and keep that VERY swift mind
active and engaged.
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March 2007 update:
GIN IS RIDING!!!! We are going very slow, started out
lunging and round penning, then just AMC sitting on Gin
while he ate his meals. Now, Gin is doing slow,
easy, light walks in the yard and up and down the local
farm fields, following Memphis. When he is relaxed, his
huge forward walk eats up nearly as much ground as hers! If he tires or gets nervous, he reverts to a
slow, timid shadow of his normal movement. The few VERY
brief trots have shown only the timidness of fear that
he is going to hurt. But the walk shows so very much
about him...about all he can be, if he can only get
healthy enough AND wrap his mind around not hurting any
more!!!
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May 07 update:
When not
under saddle, he shows an amazingly strong trot -- lots
of reach, lots of scope, floating, plenty of impulsion,
easily extending. We're laying the ground work carefully
to get
that trot under saddle,
building lots of top line muscle with ground work (see
Oct 07 for the results!!), and
keeping our rides short and simple, avoiding overtaxing
him, straining any muscles. He continues to receive at
least one chiro per month, showing the neck is almost
100% resolved, but the mid/low back issues are still
coming along slowly.
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June 07 update:
Sadly, Gin has had yet another set back. He yanked his
hoof during a recent trim, and 'quicked' himself,
causing his hoof to bleed and a blister to form. It will
be weeks before Gin is sound enough to get back to work
again. The cut into his live sole lead to a mild
abscess, which has been treated. We're hopeful he'll be
sound and ready to be back to light work in September,
07.
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Sept 07 update:
Gin is doing well. He seems to LOVE life at our new
farm! He plays in the massive pasture all day most
days, teasing the draft mares and running with Factor
and Sherlock, when she lets him. We are just now
starting to do very light riding, being careful to ensure his hoof is doing
ok. He has done GREAT at rebuilding muscle tone on his
own playing in the pasture! His
weight is OK now, but still not where we would like it
to be, going into winter.
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Oct 07 update:
Gin is doing great! He still favors that hoof
immediately after a trim, but otherwise appears sound,
playful, and happy.
THE BIG NEWS...under saddle, Gin
now consistently shows that strong, forward motion he's
always shown us when working at liberty!! It appears
that his recovery year with full time turnout, layoff
from any work, medications to balance his liver issues
(now finished),
chiropractic and massage to get his joints working again
properly, HAS BEEN A SUCCESS!
His trot is expansive and eager,
ground covering and obviously full of joy. For brief
periods, he's able to engage his hind end and tracks up
magnificently. He's even starting to look for bit
contact, doing "stretchy circles" with ease
when the contact is soft. We're still taking our time,
keeping his workouts short with lots of variety, to
ensure he doesn't overdo and to avoid any fear of
overwork on his
part that might bring back that timidness we saw
previously. Over time, I believe this boy will return to
the dressage or hunter under saddle world, and be
nothing short of amazing when he does.
We don't yet know if Gin will have
any limitations -- such as a maximum rider weight limit
or a no jumping order -- and won't know until he's been
working for a few months and Dr King can do a full
assessment. However, as of today, he appears to be 100%
on the road to a successful new life, enjoying his work
and eager to ride. We couldn't be happier!
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Nov 07 update:
Gin had a clean vet check today! No chiropractic needs,
no issues whatsoever from his light riding! Doc says
we're on the right track, he's doing great, and to
continue just as we have been. He is forward, eager, and
just a joy to ride. We will not begin canter work until
he has been doing 10-15 minute trot works without any
sign of fatigue. We are beginning to do lateral work
together again, and instead of shying away, he seems to
be truly enjoying the challenge, and doing so without
any difficulty!
Gin exercises himself every day in
the pasture with his friends (photo below), and we
believe that is doing wonders toward building his top
line safely and the right way, without risk of rider
interference causing him to build up muscle tone
incorrectly. It's really fabulous to watch him gallop
the pastures and enjoy his new life here. He'll miss his
buddy, Sioux, who went on to
his new home today, but otherwise seems to really enjoy
his time here at the new farm!
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| March 08 update:
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We couldn't be happier!
We have an adoption in process for Gin! Gin will be
going home with Twilight and Ginger, to be the newest
member of the Blacker family. Gin's new mom, Sue, has
been riding on and off all her life and wanted an easy,
quiet, trustworthy partner she can ride herself or trust
with the grandchildren. She's had several great rides
with this gentle giant, and can't wait to take him
home!!
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About
Sponsorship: 
FEED:
In May 2007 Gin was sponsored by a wonderful family who
have a special needs little girl that comes down to help
us care for the horses one night each week. Thank you so
much for your assistance! MEDICAL:
Gin's past vet expenses were steep, and we would greatly
appreciate ANY help anyone can offer in this area. His
mid March visit alone totaled about $400, with refills
on his medicine, shots, chiropractic, etc, and another
visit scheduled for April 1 2007. From April through
August, his meds, chiro,
and overall care were averaging at least
$250 per month, separate from his feed needs. As of
September, he has finished his medications and we hope he will continue on
this far less
expensive path -- just monthly chiro/checkups ($100) as
we increase his work schedule. Even if
you're unable to assist us with such a large monthly
total, as little as $25 helps us to cover some of these
steep fees. Currently, Gin has had approx. $2450 in
medical expenses, without any sponsorship help to cover
these.
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| Bloodlines:
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Owner's
History:: (horse show photos
from 2004)

Jen
told us, in her first contact, "I have an 8 year
old TB gelding that has recently been diagnosed with
arthritis in his C 5-6 vertebrae. He has been
cleared by three different vets for light riding and
trail riding. He will require turnout that I
unfortunately cannot provide him. He is the
sweetest horse and has no vices. He gets along
well with mares and geldings and loves attention.
He would climb into your pocket and go home with you if
he could. I have been trying very unsuccessfully
to find a new home for him. I wish that I could
afford to keep him but unfortunately I cannot..."
"The gal I got him from took him to
a schooling show 3 days off the track and he did fine.
Like I said, he's a big spoiled baby!"
"He was bred in FL foaled on April
27, 1998. Dam: Dancing Queen Sire: The Time
is Now. He is a very pretty coppery
chestnut with a star/stripe the shape of an inverted
arrow, no other marking. He is probably 16.1. He was
sticked at 16 1/2 when I got him but that was 4 years
ago.
He came to Cleveland (Thistledown)
as a two year old and was gelded at some point. He is
registered (I have original papers)
and has a tattoo (B31920). Spent the summers up here and
the winters in LA or FL. Spring of 2002 came back to OH
and was "sold" to a woman who knew the
breeder/owner. He never raced and was used as a pony
horse for those two years. He was sold to me in
September 2002. "
"I started out riding him hunt seat
and switched over to dressage. Had NO issues with him at
all for three years (except did inject his hocks as he
was starting to get a little hitchy back there and
x-rays did reveal some arthritis). He's not real spooky,
doesn't bolt, rear, buck. Last week we were in the arena
moving sand around with the tractor and he was in there
with us and could've cared less! He looked at the
tractor once then didn't give it a second glance.
Then this past January (06) he was
trimmed WAY TOO short by my blacksmith and was DEAD lame
for about two weeks. I mean he was really lame.
Finally after he healed we went
back to work and his walk/trot work was fine. His left
lead (only the left lead) has this really weird
feeling to it, almost like he was paddling with the
right front. This went on for sometime and took him to a
vet at the racetrack here (Dr. Genovese), took x-rays,
flexed him and found nothing. He did determine he was
back sore and injected his back. Went back home and he
did seem better. Took him back to the same vet two
months later and injected the back and hocks.
Went to a show in July and two
weeks later the strange left lead canter issue was back,
only worse. A few times he would stumble, almost fall,
and I got worried. Videos were taken and submitted to
vets at Ohio State and Michigan State. He was put on EPM
meds but those didn't work and we later confirmed he did not
have EPM. He has had everything
injected from his shoulder to his back, to his
ankles, knees, you name it. He has also been blocked
everywhere too. Nothing seemed to correct the
awkwardness. Finally last month I took him to Equine
Specialty Hospital in Burton, OH, for a full body bone
scan. That revealed the arthritis in the C 5-6 vertebrae
and his withers. The vet at ESH said this is probably
hereditary. The only thing I have not done is
acupuncture.
The vet at ESH said he would be
fine for light riding as he is fine under saddle now at
the walk. His trot is a little lazy, and I am not sure
if that is because he's sore or just being lazy (he is
the LAZIEST horse I have ever known, that's one reason I
love him so much). Another vet recommended trail riding
just going straight and walking/trotting. He does like
trail but would need a little more experienced person as
sometimes he gets a little jiggy the first few times
out.
Both vets agreed that turnout
would be best for him, as much as possible. I know now
is not the ideal time to be
doing what I am doing as we are now in mud/snow/slush
season. If I could keep him I would but I don't feel
that a boarding barn with not much turnout is the best
place for him. I love him too much to see him only
getting out 1-2 hours a day. I know he would be happier
where he could have buddies and run and play to his
hearts content. I wish I could do that for him.
To see him on the lunge or turned out he looks great.
Even under saddle walking he's fine. And who knows with
some time off (in September I gave him a month off,
just turnout for 4-5 hours a day and that didn't work)
he may be OK, I don't know.
He would make a great companion
horse. He loves to play, eat from trees, roll, run, buck
and play halter wars. The woman I got him from had a
pony mare that did not like him, I think he wanted to
play with her too much and she wasn't into it. Most
other mares like him.
The only other issue than what I
have described above is that he is a freeze baby too. He
has no coat whatsoever. Whereever he does go, I am
including a heavy Schneiders Adjust-A-Fit turnout
blanket, a blanket liner, and maybe a sheet too.
He truly is a special horse, has
tons of personality, loves people and attention. My kids
(3 and 5 years old) brush him and give him peppermints
and he is very tolerant of them and aware of where they
are and their space. This really breaks my heart to be
doing this but I feel that it is in his best interest to
find a place where he can be happy."
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