Banner

It is with sad hearts that we report the passing of SAFE Alumni, Banner. Banner was a 24-year-old gelding who came to SAFE with another sweet boy, Buddy, who passed in September 2020, with Banner by his side.  On April 30^th, his loving and caring adopter Casey, found Banner in extreme pain and was able to have her veterinarian out to Banner right away. Despite a dose of Banamine, his heart rate remained highly elevated and on further exam by Dr. Anne, a large tumor was as discovered on rectal exam.  Because Banner was so uncomfortable, the right decision was made to not make him keep fighting and was laid to rest.  Below is a statement from Casey, which describes Banner so well.

“Banner was such a sweet old gentleman and a perfect companion for my other gelding. They followed each other everywhere. While one of them laid down to sleep, the other would stand watch. They would share the same tree for shade and huddle together in winter storms. Banner’s other big love in life was food. He nickered when he heard the grain being poured and gave grumpy ears if dinner was late. His last few hours today were spent grazing the bright green spring grass.”

Our thoughts go out to Casey, who loved Banner so much and provided him with the life he deserved.

We recently received an update from Banner’s adopter, who tells us that Banner has been doing great! Back in fall of 2020, Banner was diagnosed with a mild case of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH), but his adopter tells us that there has been no apparent progression of this condition. She also says that he has put on some weight, and is looking good! The attached pictures show that very well, although his adopter tells us that it is quite difficult to get a still photo of Banner, as he is always coming up for head rubs and to check for grain.

We also asked his adopter some questions about Banner, and here’s what she had to say:

What is your horse’s favorite treat?
Sugar cubes

What is your horse’s most winning characteristic?
His demanding nicker when I’m late to provide breakfast

What does your horse like best about YOU?
That I provide a constant food source!

Banner is thrilled to be home with his adopter Casey! He has a new best friend named Rowdy and he seems to have settled in well. Casey is a small animal vet and is very happy to have both horses living out their senior years together on her home property!

“Banner has settled in well to the new routine,” Casey tells us. “He’s such a cute, grumpy old man. He pins his ears initially to almost everything, then goes along with it like a gentlemen (for grooming, haltering, hoof picking, etc). He’s really quite soft and responsive when he’s paying attention!

“He and Rowdy get along well. There’s some territorial behavior with the food, but they honestly give it out pretty evenly. I feed them in two separate spots, and then an hour later they’re chewing from the same hay pile! Banner has a very brisk trot and excited whinny when he sees the grain bucket coming.”

Thank you, Casey, for giving this sweet old man his forever home!

Banner made it safely to his new home where he met his new friend Rowdy! The two are getting along great and Banner has settled in nicely. Banner’s adopter Casey is a small animal vet and is very happy to have both horses living out their senior years together on her home property!

Here’s an update from Casey:

Banner has settled in well to the new routine. He’s such a cute, grumpy old man. He pins his ears initially to almost everything, then goes along with it like a gentlemen (for grooming, haltering, hoof picking, etc). He’s really quite soft and responsive when he’s paying attention!

He and Rowdy get along well. There’s some territorial behavior with the food, but they honestly give it out pretty evenly. I feed them in two separate spots, and then an hour later they’re chewing from the same hay pile! Banner has a very brisk trot and excited whinny when he sees the grain bucket coming. 😊

They got to try on their winter blankets last night. The wind was just biting cold. I think they look pretty dapper. Anyways, just wanted to let you know all is well. Have a good week,

Much thanks,
Casey

Banner is such a handsome, regal man! He has a ton of personality and definitely doesn’t act like a senior fellow. He can be a little pushy, but we are working on ground manners and he’s proving to be a very intelligent student who catches on quickly.

Shortly after Banner arrived, we noticed that he was tender on his front feet. He was in a gravel paddock so it was difficult at first to tell if his feet were sore because of that or because of a case of mild laminitis. Dr. Fleck had us treat him as a laminitis case and he was placed on bute twice daily and given a pair of soft ride boots to live in for the time being. He was taken off the bute after two weeks but remained in the soft ride boots until we could get him into a dirt paddock and off the gravel.

He and Buddy have now been moved to a dirt paddock together, and his feet are much happier. He’s out of the soft ride boots. He did have a couple of hoof abscesses over the past few weeks, but those have been treated and he is once again sound. These two gentlemen get groomed several times per week by volunteer groomer Sue, who they believe to be their own personal stylist. We’re keeping a close eye on Banner’s feet to make sure we catch any problems early and treat him accordingly. He seems to appreciate all the extra attention!

Banner has also been diagnosed with a very mild case of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH), which is a very long name for a dental disease that can afflict older horses. This disease causes the body to resorb the alveolar bone and tissues surrounding the incisors, leading to the breakdown of the periodontal ligament and prompting the horse’s body to lay down extra cementum to try to stabilize the teeth. It is a progressive disease and can be quite painful in its advanced stages. Since Banner’s case looks to still be in the beginning phase, he does not seem to be experiencing pain from it. But we will be monitoring this closely, as well.

One of the ways we can assess pain from EOTRH is to offer Banner a hard treat such as a carrot and see if he chews it like a normal horse or if he struggles with it. He seems happy with this test so far, he’s been passing it with flying colors. He might just convince us to use this carrot test every day in the name of health management.

Thank you to Kristina Oden for these lovely pictures of our new boy Banner.