Gambler is a 9-year-old who is a Standardbred Gelding who stands at 15.1 hands, who arrived at the rescue on 9/22/2016. Gambler was a trotter-racehorse and won $110,000 during his racing career. Sadly he still ended up being dumped at an auction. Gambler appeared tired, and defeated, when he arrived at the rescue. We felt so bad for him because he looked afraid and worried about what was going to happen next. Gambler’s head hung low – he had been through so much. After his successful racing career, and being pin-fired to Hades and back, he ended up with the Amish. When Gambler could no longer make the 15-20 mile-a-day trips the Amish require of a buggy horse, he was either sold to slaughter or won by a kill buyer at auction. Gambler is now safe with us and he is one of the few lucky ones. Gambler is beginning to understand that we are going to keep him safe and care for him. He’s a very sweet guy with a teddy-bear personality. We know he rides and drives.
Many thanks to the Hoosier Park Assistant Manager, and Helen Vopshonok, for stepping up and securing his release from a feedlot. Gambler will be available for adoption after he receives some much-needed TLC, shots, worming, teeth floated, and puts some weight on. In the photos above, Gambler is having his Amish road shoes removed. We would like to thank Farrier Tony Strickland for volunteering his service, removing Gambler’s shoes, and giving him a good trim. Each of Gambler’s shoes had at least 8 nails in it. One good thing going for Gambler is his very hard hooves! Tony said Gambler was a great boy and stood nicely. Thanks to our volunteer, and Fort Bragg Soldier, Unique who helped Tony during Gambler’s shoe removal. Sadly Gambler had colic and he went to heaven. We love you Gambler!
*Pin Firing Definition from Wikipedia: “Pin firing, also known as thermocautery, is the treatment of an injury to a horse’s leg, by burning, freezing, or dousing it with acid or caustic chemicals. This is supposed to induce a counter-irritation and speed and/or improve healing. This treatment is used more often on racehorses than on other performance horses. It is sometimes used in the treatment of bucked shins or splint, curb, or chronic bowed tendons. There was also the theory that it would “toughen” the leg of the horse. This treatment is prevalent in equine veterinary books published in the early 20th century; however many present-day veterinarians and horse owners consider it barbaric and a cruel form of treatment. It is not generally taught in veterinary schools today.”
