I'm trying to rescue a race horse

[DerbyCat]

Quick update on Nopie, x-rays show that he completely tore the entire suspensory ligament away from the sesamoid bone, actually pulling a chip of bone away. He's doing ok though and has a gell cast and some good meds to help him through this.

We're having a heck of a time trying to get Nopie from Nebraska to California, hard to find a ride going that way without paying a very steep price. Instead, he'll get on a rig headed down to Turf Paradise and then getting from Arizona to California will be a piece of cake.

We're not out of the woods yet but Scav and I feel a lot better after today. The vet took x-rays and we're feeling really good about Nopie's care. We know the long rides are going to be tough on him but once he gets home he's got a warm and comfortable stall waiting for him. Hopefully he's home in a week or so, I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as we see him.

Thank you all for your support, lots of good folks on this forum, you've helped to make this experience a lot easier - thank you.

Also, quick note - Monday, February 23rd is Nopie's 4th birth(foal)day

[SniperSB23]

That is pretty fuc<ing amazing. DerbyCat, I wish you could have got to this horse sooner as you were correctly predicting it may be running itself to death. Nice of the trainer to be such a douche as to demand more than the claiming price for it. Tom, that is huge of you to step in and make this happen. I already thought highly of you but this just cements it. Good luck to both of you and the horse in getting this done. It's a real shame (as Bethani pointed out earlier this thread) that it takes this level of dedication, and more, to actually accomplish anything. And it will still take more but I am confident/hopeful you guys will get there.

[jwkniska]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

It's a real shame (as Bethani pointed out earlier this thread) that it takes this level of dedication, and more, to actually accomplish anything.

It is a shame, but really good to see that there are the people willing to go thru and do what's right. Great job everyone and hope Nopie's back to normal in the near future.

[berreman150]

Was busy all weekend , finally got a chance to catch up on what was happening. A big YEAH!!!!!!! hope all goes well.

[DerbyCat]

Nopie update: He's still in Nebraska, we're trying to get him out of there but finding transportation has proven to be difficult and expensive. Tom has been on the phone pulling every string he can to get Nopie on the next van through town, but few shippers are going cross country via I-80, they're all taking I-10. Our best hope is still getting him back to Turf Paradise first, maybe have him rest a bit down there and see a vet, then for sure we have transportation arranged to get him from Arizona to GEVA in California.

I have attached a scan of Nopie's maiden win photo (I'm the one standing next to the groom in the black shirt), notice how he's looking at the camera, it's like he's thinking "what's everyone looking at?" He did the same thing in his 2nd winners circle photo - has anyone ever seen a horse do that before?

[doll0608]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

Nopie update: He's still in Nebraska, we're trying to get him out of there but finding transportation has proven to be difficult and expensive. Tom has been on the phone pulling every string he can to get Nopie on the next van through town, but few shippers are going cross country via I-80, they're all taking I-10. Our best hope is still getting him back to Turf Paradise first, maybe have him rest a bit down there and see a vet, then for sure we have transportation arranged to get him from Arizona to GEVA in California.

I have attached a scan of Nopie's maiden win photo (I'm the one standing next to the groom in the black shirt), notice how he's looking at the camera, it's like he's thinking "what's everyone looking at?" He did the same thing in his 2nd winners circle photo - has anyone ever seen a horse do that before?

I have a friend that used to work for the Thoroughbred Retirment Center and i was telling her this story. She mentioned to me that she is friends with some people that run a division of the TRF up there and if you need her to make some phone calls to get him at a farm there she would do that. Just let me know if you need that favor.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by doll0608

I have a friend that used to work for the Thoroughbred Retirment Center and i was telling her this story. She mentioned to me that she is friends with some people that run a division of the TRF up there and if you need her to make some phone calls to get him at a farm there she would do that. Just let me know if you need that favor.

we need that favor I will make the call if you are busy, check your pm

[DerbyCat]

Good news, Scav has arranged transport for Nopie from Fonner Park, Nebraska to GEVA in California this Sunday! Not only that but he also arranged for Nopie to be moved from the barn of the trainer that we bought him from to the barn of the most respected trainer at Fonner Park, helping to insure that Nopie will be well rested and cared for before he gets on the truck headed home.

Tom has put so much time and energy into this (more than you even think he did), he has impressed me beyond belief (I even told him today that I think I love him – take note ladies, he really is an amazing guy!). Tom has a heart of gold and his commitment to this has been unparalleled. He’s probably mad at me for telling you this (it ruins his tough guy exterior) but I think the world of him and I absolutely can not thank him enough.

Nopie should be arriving in California next week either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday afternoon. If I can escape from work I’ll be there to greet him, otherwise I’ll see him on Sunday, March 15th and will post photos of him as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading the Saga of Nopie - I can't wait to see him!

[Antitrust32]

Tom sure has had an exciting week... helping DerbyCat rescue a race horse AND going after a 5 pound burger. Impressive for sure! Scav.. U da man!

DerbyCat and Scav... what you two have done this past week is just wonderful!!

[Danzig]

you guys did great.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

Tom has put so much time and energy into this (more than you even think he did), he has impressed me beyond belief (I even told him today that I think I love him – take note ladies, he really is an amazing guy!).

Congrats DC.

[ddthetide]

any new news?

[DerbyCat]

Good news/bad news on Nopie...

Bad news: He's still in Nebraska and will be until late Tuesday - his ride suffered some mechanical problems and is delayed while they make repairs - it's no big deal, they're a good company and have been great to deal with. Nopie probably won't make it to California until late in the week so I won't get a chance to see him until Sunday (my facility is hosting high school basketball championship games all day Friday and Saturday so I've got to be at work).

Good news: Nopie is doing great in the barn of the new trainer that we moved him to. Tom spoke with the trainer the other day and he told Tom that Nopie is doing good, even said "He is a playful son of a gun" Nopie has a great appetite and seems to be feeling much better since he's getting care and attention. I'm really thankful to this trainer for taking such good care of Nopie.

Next Sunday I'll be headed up to GEVA with a couple of folks that really care about Nopie, all faces and voices that Nopie will instantly recognize from his time in the Steve Sherman barn at Golden Gate Fields. I'll be making trips up to see Nopie at least every week or two until he's ready to move to his new home. I'm fortunate to already have several people who have expressed interest in giving Nopie a home so I get the luxury of picking the very best place for him to live. What matters to me is giving him the best environment possible for him to just be a happy horse where he can get lots of attention from people, this horse just really seems to love people... and obviously there are people that love him right back!

[TheSpyder]

Great DC. Take some pictures would you?

Also, if it works out, I hope to retire in the next 10 years and may need a place for me to just hang out and have fun.

Can you and Tom start looking into this for me?

Thanks,
Spyder

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Great DC. Take some pictures would you?

Also, if it works out, I hope to retire in the next 10 years and may need a place for me to just hang out and have fun.

Can you and Tom start looking into this for me?

Thanks,
Spyder

Can they get you for $2500 or do you need your expenses covered?

[rontheman1964]

Do you care to name the "great trainer" in Nebraska who taking care of Nopie for you? Some positive press might be a good thank you. (I aready know who the other trainer is who you bought him from.)