Rescue Blog Update: 9/12/2025

Right after the last update, Dove began to hesitate to put weight on her right front leg and as a result, one of the tendons in her quickly started contracting to the extent that she wasn't able to put it in a strait position. It was a heartbreaking development and we knew that such a complication is really only potentially corrected by surgery with a guarded prognosis at best given her severity of founder. To be honest, we were faced with the dreaded decision. And we all knew it was likely time when trying to reset her therapeutic shoes resulted in an inability to take her palomar angle (essentially how the coffin bone rests inside the hoof capsule relation to the ground) back to 0. Since she wasn't in distress and with pain relatively managed, we decided that it would be appropriate to allow everyone the time to say good-bye while keeping her comfortable.

And through tears, and in heartbreak which felt like defeat, we prayed.

36 hours later there was a sliver of improvement. Not a lot, but enough to get our attention.

Another day and more noted improvement, including an increased level of comfort and willingness for her to re-engage in her care that hadn't been there 3 days prior.

We regouped, everyone noting that Dove seemed to be taking noticeable strides (quite literally) forward again. And as of today, with newly reset theraputic shoes (nanric ultimates), and with getting laser treatments to her tendons so generously donated by the Equine Performax team, she is walking better than when she first arrived at the Ranch and we are back on the road to healing.

PRAISE JESUS for answered prayer, and for working through our incredible Vet, Dr. Mark Wooten, Joe, Shelby, Kenleigh, Naomi, and everyone at The Jaeckle Centre who keeps taking the best care of her.

Please keep praying for Dove. Even with this hurdle being remarkably and miraculously overcome, she still has a long way to go. We are more hopeful now than ever for her redemption story and again cannot thank everyone enough for all they're doing!

What we thought was going to be one of her last photos is now a look back to acknowledge just how close she was to not making it, and how far God has brought her through the incredible Equine Performax team!

Sparrow continues to thrive! He doesn't have a new update other than continuing to pack on the pounds. We will have more updates soon!

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support, pray for, and give toward Dove and Sparrow's recovery. We are so very grateful!

Donate directly to Dove and Sparrow's care by clicking here.