Help Get Rescue Horse 'Smoke' Back On His Feet

Please read Smoke's story and consider helping this strong and determined horse, who is so deserving of a second chance-and the wonderful woman who has provided him the care he needs.

Smoke is a 20 year old grade rescue who needs help on his journey to become sound again. He has sadly suffered extreme pain from recurring hoof abscesses. A treatment plan has finally been established and the implementation has begun, but we need your help to fund medical bills and aftercare.

Smoke was adopted in October of 2021 by our friend Jenn in upstate NY. When Jenn met Smoke, she fell in love immediately and we now understand why. The same thing happened when we were introduced to Smoke. There was something intense and magical about his eyes. Even though he was very timid, the inquisitive and trusting look in those eyes went straight to our hearts.

Jenn was told that Smoke was a backyard family horse owned by an elderly couple who were forced to surrender him. Before Smoke could leave the rescue, he was treated for a hoof abscess, after which he was cleared to make the trip to his new home up north. When he arrived, he feared the world. The gentlest touch would have him shaking. Along with his fear of people, he was also barely able to walk, due to another hoof abscess.

When grooming Smoke in the Spring, Jenn got some more insight into his past. His fluffy winter coat shed out to reveal a sickening amount of whip scars along his rump and back. No wonder he was so frightened and afraid of people.

After months of spending time with him and showing love and kindness, Smoke has made huge leaps and bounds. Now in safe hands, he shows how much of a softy he is and his personality shines through. He loves to be groomed, fed treats, and spend time with his new favorite horses and people.

But one thing has remained - his reoccuring abscesses. Periodically, there have been short breakthroughs when basic treatment was applied, but Smoke would only be sound for a few weeks and then crippled shortly thereafter.

Euthanasia is often suggested as a possibility for chronic abscesses like these, but Jenn needed to try everything before considering that route. She started working with a fantastic team of vets and farriers to help nail down what could be done to alleviate the abscesses. She learned that chronic abscesses in the dorsal hoof are potentially caused by a traumatic event that compromised the coronary band. Since Smoke's true history is unknown, anything could have happened to cause this, so the team gathered information to find the best course of action for Smoke.

Multiple x rays were taken, showing a deterioration of his coffin bone due to the repeated abscessing. A venogram was done, to rule out any possible keratoma or growth in the hoof causing this deterioration. Also, blood tests were run to look for any metabolic disorder that may have left him with a compromised immune system. Thankfully, the blood work came back clear, but the venogram showed low blood flow to the area. This prompted the team to decide to go forward with a hoof resection, where the devitalized hoof wall is removed until a healthy wall is exposed. Jenn was told that there would be no guarantees, but the surgery would hopefully turn Smoke's life of pain into a life of happiness.

The resection was performed two weeks ago, and Smoke is doing well. Both an abscess pocket and necrotic tissue were discovered and removed. Low blood flow was also found to be true. The recovery is long, but as Smoke's new hoof grows in, the blood flow should hopefully return, and healthy tissue will replace the unhealthy. As long as everything continues to go well in the healing process, Smoke should be on his way to a happy retirement.

All the medical expenses, extra vet bills and special farrier trips have put a financial strain on Jenn, but she is too proud to do the asking. We are not. We stepped in to create this Go FundMe and urge all our animal loving friends, family and strangers to help Jenn help Smoke.

He deserves this chance to live out the rest of his life pain free with his friends. He has that beautiful spark in his eye that anyone can see. He's not done fighting, so we can't be either.

Gratefully,

Lib DeNure and Amelia Aspinwall