I'm trying to rescue a race horse

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Scav

Another quick update. Everything has been finalized and Nopie will be shipping out of Fonner Park Monday or Tuesday to Turf Paradise, and then from Turf Paradise to his retirement home in NoCal

I have yet to get final word from the vet (probably around 6pm) but feel alot better then I did this morning.

good! way to go guys; great for nopie.

[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.

[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?

[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!

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

The Deal is Done! Nopie is coming home to California! First I have to say that Scav (Tom) is an amazing guy - he volunteered to negotiate the deal to get Nopie and ended up making calls to the Racing Office, speaking with the State Vet and keeping me updated on every twist and turn. You can't imagine the stress of not being able to watch the race and then reading the chart that says that your favorite horse was vanned off. I can't thank Tom enough for his help, he is a credit to this forum, to our industry and to mankind Seriously, he was awesome!

We still have a ways to go, we've got to get him in the trailer and home to California. He's going to GEVA, a fabulous equine retirement place that will help get him re-schooled and then we'll find good ol' Nopie a good home where he'll be happy. If anyone was touched by this story, please donate to GEVA, they do great work and I owe them a debt of gratitude (GEVA) - tell 'em Nopie sent ya!

I'll keep you all updated as more developments arise and I'll give more details later of what Tom had to go through to make this happen, once I have time to sort it all out. It's been an amazing day...

You, Scavs and Nobie all get my vote for Heroes of the Week!

[CSC]

I just read this story, great job Scavs and DC! It's reaffirming to know that good people do finish 1st sometimes.

[Scav]

Just a quick update because DC is busy. I spoke with the actual vet of the horse today and it possible that there is a sesamoid issue now. What is also amazing that while I have spoken to the racing secretary and assistant racing secretary, and had the assistant racing secretary broker the deal because the f'n trainer wouldn't answer his phone yesterday, the 2nd the vet went over to xray the horse, on DC's dime, the trainer of the horse was calling my phone number wanting more money, wanting to know who is paying for the horse now(his day rate) and all money upfront.

We are not out of the woods yet and probably won't know more until later today

[TheSpyder]

Maybe if you share his phone number with us and we all call him hundreds of time we can make a difference....well, maybe after things are settled

[LuckyJoyce]

That trainer in Nebraska is such a selfish b*stard it makes me see red! Makes me want to fly out there right this minute and swiftly bury my foot in his butt.

Thanks, Tom. I'm praying Nopie is okay.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by LuckyJoyce

That trainer in Nebraska is such a selfish b*stard it makes me see red! Makes me want to fly out there right this minute and swiftly bury my foot in his butt.

Thanks, Tom. I'm praying Nopie is okay.

We'll see. Quite honestly I understand his viewpoint, but just trying to find that middle ground that everyone is comfortable with.

The word that I got that he was okay, was given banamine(?) and will be getting bute tabs today. He is weight bearing and bedded down heavily.

The vet will be reporting back to me for when he thinks the horse will be ok to be shipped.