Desert – Adopted!

Update - March 2021. Desert was adopted by an amazing lady, not all that far from where he was fostered. Yvonne has a lovely farm and is committed to doing his surgery. He settled into his new home perfectly, making friends immediately. We look forward to watching him grow up. Already such a handsome youngster!

In late November 2020, another Rescue alerted us to a 16-19 month old purebred Canadian colt for sale. We did NOT think he was at risk other than a really low asking price that, too often, attract the "wrong" kind of buyers. The dealer who was selling him had, apparently, bought him off a breeder (a breeder who had not registered him!!), then sold him. However, very quickly he came up lame and was diagnosed with OCD, forcing the dealer to buy him back.

We put out a call for foster home and transport and Bob and Kathleen (already treasured members of the Rescue family, having adopted Willows) stepped up . . . along with a few others that were also willing. Remember - it takes a village! Given this little guy had no name, Kathleen called him Desert (you know . . . after the song LOL), but he should, technically, have a name starting with F.

He has a lovely kind eye and a sweet personality. Bob also reports he has clearly had some great basic training. Vet attended to do a basic health check, deworm, and vaccinate and commented that he is a sweet, mellow, young horse. His foster mum reports that he follows them around, comes running to gree them, and seems very bonded to people. He has been gelded and happy to be with a herd.

As for OCD . . . x-rays have confirmed two OCD lesions (one on each hock) that can be surgically removed. We've been advised, by the attending vet and by a lameness specialist who viewed the x-rays that these are common and, upon removal, there is absolutely no reason why Desert couldn't be a performance horse. Correct treatment and rehab should allow him to have whatever career someone might want. If the lesions are not removed, he'd probably do find as a light riding horse. The foster family has reported they have not seen any swelling or limping which is great. We all believe he will make someone very happy.