Help Champ live pain free

Champ is an eight- year- old Clydesdale and was the left lead of an eight horse show hitch that competed nationally.  Champ and his teammates placed third at the 2015 World Show. 

Champ developed sudden acute lameness of his right hind leg.  They tried stall rest and other conservative treatments with no improvement.  That’s where we came in.

We agreed to take Champ and do whatever we could to give him a wonderful retirement.  Champ arrived April 20th, 2017 with a severe limp and in obvious pain.  On May 5th, we began the diagnostic process.  Champ was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of the Talocalcaneal joint.  It is rare.

We began treating Champ with joint supplements, monthly anti-inflammatory injections and intra-articular injections (IRAP) with little lasting improvement.

Desperate to help Champ, I contacted Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York and provided them with all of Champ’s medical history.  I was thrilled when they said that Champ was a surgical candidate. 

On November 9th, 2017 Champ will make history by undergoing surgery that has never been performed on a draft horse.  His arthritic joints will be permanently fixed together.  If all goes well, he will be able to walk pain free. 

This big beautiful guy will never drive again, or be in the spotlight of competition.  He has however, won the heart of every person who meets him.  We have taken him downtown Cleveland, where he delighted the adults and children of West 58th Street.  He recently made a guest appearance at a barn wedding.  Champ is truly an ambassador for the Clydesdale breed.  It isn’t often that people get to be up close to these gentle giants.  We are out to change that.  We want to share Champ with as many people as we can.

We are trying to raise money for Champ's surgery as well as air-ride transportation (for his comfort) both to and from Cornell as well as his after care.  

Thank you for reading Champ's story.  We will be beyond grateful for any donation that will give Champ the opportunity to live life pain free.

If you have questions about Champ and would like to speak with me direct, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Blessings to all of you!!
Photo credit and permission for above photo France Clydesdale