In April, we welcomed Benny and his companion, Maggie, two Belgian Sorrel draft horses who had endured unimaginable hardship. From the moment they arrived, it was clear how deeply connected they were—eating hay, walking the pasture, and even turning in sync during vet exams.
Benny, however, was in rough shape. Severely underweight, with his ribs and hip bones protruding, he also battled a respiratory infection and showed signs of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a neurological disease that affects balance and coordination. To make matters worse, his pastern bones had dropped due to an autoimmune condition, causing his legs to take on an almost human-foot-like shape.
The Fight to Heal
We immediately started Benny on a comprehensive treatment plan: antibiotics for his infection, anti-protozoal medication for EPM, and anti-inflammatories for his legs. Despite his medical challenges, Benny’s sweet and easy-going personality shone through. He was patient, kind, and got along with everyone—truly a joy to care for.
Every six weeks, our farrier, Glenn, would trim Benny’s feet, helping to manage his condition. For a while, Benny showed progress, and we held onto hope for his recovery.
A Turn for the Worse
By November, Benny began showing signs of discomfort. Abscesses developed in his front foot, and despite treatment, they kept recurring. Soon after, his neurological symptoms worsened. He started walking with a choppy, uneven gait in his back legs and began side-winding—a heartbreaking sign that his EPM was progressing.
Dr. Metcalf started Benny on a new EPM medication, which helped stabilize his balance. But his front feet continued to cause him pain. After a thorough examination—including lameness tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds—Dr. Metcalf discovered that Benny’s front right tendon had ruptured. While painful, this condition was treatable, and we were determined to give Benny every chance to heal.
A Custom Solution
Collaborating with Dr. Vlahos, the team devised a plan to create a custom shoe for Benny’s large size. Dr. Metcalf and Glenn spent nearly three hours crafting and attaching the first shoe to Benny’s front right foot. The immediate improvement in his walking was a moment of hope and joy for everyone.
The plan was to return the next day to fit the second shoe, but overnight, Benny’s condition took a devastating turn. Despite doubling his pain medication, he was visibly suffering, shifting and rocking to find relief. The shoe, while helping his tendon, was putting too much pressure on his high suspensory ligament.
A Heartbreaking Decision
After exhausting every option—shoe removal, modification, and surgical alternatives—we faced the difficult reality that Benny’s pain was too great to overcome. With heavy hearts, we made the decision to help Benny pass peacefully, surrounded by love and care.
Honoring Benny’s Legacy
Benny’s time with us was a gift. He reminded us of the importance of compassion, resilience, and the profound impact of second chances. Though his journey was cut short, Benny knew love, care, and the comfort of a safe haven in his final months.
A special thank you to every employee, visitor, and volunteer who hugged Benny, cared for him, and contributed to his healing. Together, we gave him the greatest life a horse could ever know.
