Available for: Sponsorship
The Exceller Fund contacted CANTER about an "old warrior" who was racing near the bottom level. This classy horse once competed at high levels at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar. On April 14, 2005, he was vanned off the track at Santa Anita. About a month later he was racing at Mountaineer, and by 2007 he was at Beulah Park in $3.5K claiming races.
In March 2007, CANTER raised money, with donations from The Exceller Fund and other individuals, to buy this (at the time) 11 year old gelding and provide a dignified retirement. After a month of rest and relaxing, a vet exam revealed that "Opie's" left front fetlock had severe arthritis. After some initial injections, Opie does well in the pasture, but CANTER was not set up to take on a long-term rehabilitation. The Exceller Fund welcomed Opie to our program, and he is currently being fostered in Kentucky.
UPDATE: June 2007 - Opie has been having a tough time adjusting to life after the track. On June 23, 2007, Opie coliced and needed surgery. Opie was rushed over for surgery, and in the best of possible outcomes, he did not need to have any sections of his intestines removed. A huge THANK YOU goes out to Dr. Jorge H. Gomez and his intern Dr. Thomas O'Brien of Hagyard's Equine Center for their donation of surgical time and minimal cost that made Opie's surgery possible. And a huge thanks goes to Julie Householder, our foster in Kentucky whose relationship with Hagyard Equine made this possible.
UPDATE: October 2010 - Opie has been retired and moved to Bagdad, Kentucky to enjoy his life relaxing and enjoying life being a horse. Opie is doing well but has arthritis in his legs and limited hearing and vision. Opie has a wonderful personality and is loved deeply by his fosters and all who are lucky enough to know him.