Hope was abandoned in the desert two days before Christmas in 2021, blind and tied to a utility pole with a piece of baling twine. She was frightened, in severe pain from glaucoma and recurrent eye infections, crippled by osteoarthritis and DSLD, and had hooves with 2+ years of overgrowth. She was saved and received much needed medical care thanks to a team of rescuers, supporters, veterinarians, our farrier, and our wonderful community who all stepped up to help.
Hope was the most beautiful red dun with lovely primitive markings on her legs and a dorsal stripe. Since Hope was blind she relied heavily on help from her companions and her other senses to navigate her world and we formed a very close bond. She was the sweetest, most trusting and snuggly mare we ever had have the privilege of meeting. We were honored to love and care for her and we miss her every day.
In addition to osteoarthritis and DLSD, Hope was also diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, also known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). Her diagnosis inspired Cathy, our founder, to attend the ECIR conference where she had the privilege of learning from cutting edge experts about PPID and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)/Insulin Resistance (IR) and will be able to apply that knowledge to the care of all our sanctuary equines in Hope’s memory.