Life of Quinn

Life Changes So Quickly! 

Quinn our handsome Quinn!

Quinn was cantering through the pasture Saturday having a great time, but Sunday, as he stall door was opened ready to put in his breakfast, he greeted us with a very swollen leg. He was painful. That leg was his weak spot. In 1998, he had an injury on his left rear leg that most horses would have not lived through. He severed his two tendons on the front of his leg on a rubbermaid water trough. Yes, horses can find trouble for sure. Dr Scott Owen thought we were crazy deciding not to euthanize him, he saw it as hopeless. e saw it as not giving up. Quinn wouldn't even get up from the ground. Eight months later, after twice a day hydrating and wound care, medicating, wrapping and lots of treats, he was sound. A miracle of love! 

cellulitis on weak leg, old scar from cutting tendons

He came to SaveTheHorses from South Florida. He had a career as a race horse and retired to become a show horse. Then developed anhidrosis. He doesn't sweat. georgia has humidity but we were willing and able to maintain him during the summer by horsing and having fans and water misters on him. We were vigilant for over 16 years. Many many volunteers remember hosing Quinn, he loved it so it made it fun for very one. 

Quinn enjoying the horse!

He had developed cellulitis in that weak leg. He had it a few times. Anti Inflammatories took care of it so on Sunday, Tom Scott administered his normal dose of  medication and by evening, he wasn't eating much grain but he was eating hay and the swelling had gone down a bit. Monday he started to get more stressed. Bonnie Moloney soaked his leg, medicated him and many volunteers gave him lots of love until Dr Cerniglia arrived.

Hear his breathing and teeth?

You can hear his breathing as he walked around his stall

By now he was very anxious, very painful and we all were very worried.  As Dr Amanda administered more medication, Quinn was breathing hard and grinding his teeth. He was telling us he wanted us to help! We were doing everything we could.

Quin getting love and comfort.

The fluids helped Quinn's breathing and gave him so strength. He seemed more stable but still critical. We all agreed he has a better chance getting to UGA Vet Hospital, ASAP. Thank God for all our wonderful volunteers. The trailer we use belongs to a volunteer, Pam Ross, but it had a flat tire. Jeff Lucursi was kind enough to change the tire in the rain while he wife, Sandra and 2 girls, Jordan and Julia and Susan Clark and daughter Sara all work as a great team and brought horses in, fed, hayed and tucked them in. We appreciate their dedication to all the horses. If I missed anyone, I am sorry. But thank you all every day for your time and efforts. 
SaveTheHorses dually truck is well worn from 15 years of rescuing horses so it isn't safe to take a horse anywhere but local. The last thing we wanted to do to Quinn was delay his arrival at UGA. Tom Scott took off from work early to drive the trailer to UGA. 


Quinn was able to get up with a little help and we loaded him on the trailer heading to UGA, hoping for another miracle. Tom, Steve Cook and I headed out. It was a 2 hour ride through rain and fog. Natalie Richardson rode with Alisa Cray as they followed behind the trailer. As we drove we could feel Quinn moving in the trailer. About 3 minutes from UGA, we felt him go down in the trailer. He kicked for about a minute. We didn't know if he was cast and trying to get up of just so much in pain he was kicking out. He stopped kicking about the same time we pulled in the parking lot. As soon as we stopped, Tom, Steve and I jumped out of the truck and hoped onto the trailer to see Quinn. We all were silent, he was gone. Natalie and Alisa came as we opened the side door. All I could do was not my head, no, no no, he is gone. 

We talked with the veterinarian and students, and told them what a wonderful horse Quinn was. A many year volunteer, Alissa Luthart, now a PreVet student came to say good bye to Quinn and give her condolences.  So many people lives are touched by one horse. One horse, many hearts! We were privileged to have Quinn in our care since 1996. He was ridden a handful of times. He hadn't been on a trailer since he arrived from Florida. Sixteen years of fun, sillyness, kindness. He gave us 16 years of his life. For that we are ever so grateful.

He will be buried on the rescue farm today, next to he best friend, EZ Breeze. Rest In Peace Dear Friend. Our hearts are with you, our tears will flow but you will always be remembered. 

WE ARE RESCUE!