Rudy
Breed: Grade
Sex: Gelding
DOB: 1994
Height:
Color: Gray
Markings:
Location: Terrell, TX
Adoption Fee:
 

Temperament: Rudy is very sweet and loving.

Physical problems / health issues: Rudy is not able to move his back right leg as the old owner thought it was broken. The vet says it is not broken but has chronic fixation of the patella (some tendon atrophy). His prognosis is good for the time being. He will have a simple surgery to relieve the pressure of the tendon and hopefully this will take care of the majority of his lameness (or lack of use) as he has no use what so ever in his back right leg...it just kind of swings in the breeze about 1/2 inch above the ground. Rudy is also very thin and will need time to get his weight back.

Update: Rudy did have surgery on his back leg, cutting the tendon to relieve some pressure. He now uses the leg a little to turn and has even tried to run in the pasture. He gets around quite well and knows his limitations. Although the surgery did not make him sound as we were hoping, it has improved his mobility a lot. He has also started putting weight on and is looking good. His future is still a bit uncertain, but hopefully he will continue to improve and enjoy life.

Interaction with horses: Loves other horses and wants to be with them very badly. But due to him not being able to get around very well, he still has to be pastured alone at his current foster home. He will soon be moving to a new foster home where he can be pastured with another companion only horse.

Interaction with people: Loves people and attention.

History: Rudy was with an owner who was going to shoot him due to a supposedly broken leg. He was taken in by someone else, but that person was unable to give him proper vet care, and just put him out in a small pen.

Training / abilities: It was reported that he was broke to ride, however Rudy will never be able to be ridden again due to his leg.

Experience level required to work with this horse: Beginner.

Has this horse ever:  Bucked? No. Reared? No. Kicked? No. Bitten? No. Other?  

Ground handling: Catch? Very easy. Lead? Like a champ. Tie? Yes. Trailer? Yes. Clip? Trim with scissors. Trim Feet? Can be done with a very good farrier due to him not being able to stand up well on his bad leg. Bathe? Yes.

Special needs: Love, feed, and arthritis medication.

Other comments: Rudy is a very sweet horse who loves people and other horses. He wants a crippled or lame pasture buddy to get close to (one who can not or will not hurt him as he can not get away from the younger more rambunctious group). As he gets weight on him, it will cause problems with his one good back leg and it may cause him too much difficulty and pain for a good quality of life. Time will tell how things will go for him. But until then Rudy is full of life and is enjoying being a horse that is cared for and loved on a daily basis.

More pictures:

Updated: June 11, 2007

Adopt: Please contact us regarding adoptions at adoptions@habitatforhorses.org or call 1.866.HFH.LSER(866.434.5737).

Are you unable to adopt but would still like to have Rudy in your life? Sponsor him through our Virtual Foster program.

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