JULIAN

The Belgian Boy

Someone dumped this young Belgian gelding with a severely damaged hock at auction, the weekend before Thanksgiving 2023. What caused the damage and how long he had lived with it were unknown, but someone needed to help him.

Some saves are called 'mercy pulls', to spare a poor horse a long painful ride. All rescues sometimes do this, and everyone involved knew this boy may be one of those.

In the end, his life was secured, and he travelled to Rosemary Farm.

Initial assessment by the veterinary team indicates he has lived with his hock in this condition for a long time, and his young body tells the tale. Compensation for the issue has left him with severely atrophied muscles, a crooked stance, and an uncertain future.

Just 2.5 years old, he is tall, thin, incredibly kind, as his breed is famous for. He is in quarantine at the Sanctuary, the normal protocol for horses that arrive from auction or unknown exposure to other animals, to prevent any possible disease from infecting the main herd family. This also provides time to get to know him, get an idea of his training, handling, and mental state. This will help inform future decisions about his care going forward.

For now, he is receiving pain meds, and regular food, care and love.

Tomorrow is still to be determined.

Julian is:

• a young Belgian gelding
• classic chestnut with a wide white blaze, long flaxen mane and forelock
• welcomed to The Sanctuary in November 2023
• a member of the Square Peg Gang
• in transition *

* Any equine that we are still evaluating and getting to know following arrival, is in training, or is changing in some way, is in transition. Please feel free to send an email to inquire about their status and future possibilities.

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