Show Name: Above and Beyond
Barn Name: Buzz Gender: Stallion Age: 9 years Height: 17.1hh Eye Colour: [Blind] Milky Blue Phenotype: Seal Brown Blanket Appaloosa Genotype: Ee/Ata/Lplp/PATN-1patn-1 Mane Type: Long Discipline: Therapy Horse Halter: Green with a white horizontal line Breeding Info: heterozygous for Lp and PATN-1 Edit List: Long Mane Long Tail Flipped Ears |
Buzz wasn’t always blind. He was a happy stallion who loved to run around the pasture and chase all sorts of small animals. His once-bright blue eyes that matched the waves of the ocean disappeared in a flash.
When Buzz was born he was a healthy little colt. Prancing around the fields with his mother, rolling in mud and chasing after the mares with his father. He was a regular colt who had a bright future ahead of himself. He was born to a dam and sire who had great racing bloodlines which meant that this colt was born for racing. Nothing could stop this fella from running when he was let loose in the pastures. I swear he could've run all day and night if they let him. His favourite weather to run in was when it was pouring outside. When the grass was so wet that every sharp turn a horse made they would tumble onto the ground. He loved the adrenaline it gave him. This colt was fast too, the fastest out of all the other colts.
As Buzz got older he started training in Barrel Racing. He fell in love with it immediately. The rush, the quick sharp turns around the barrels, he quickly picked up everything he was taught. When he was entered into his first competition he put all those other horses into place. He showed them what he could do and he definitely showed off his skills and didn't care one bit.
Sadly, it wasn't long until his short career was over. During one training session, his handler knew something was wrong. While he was tacking up Buzz he noticed that the stallion was squinting his eyes a lot. The stallon would also close his eyes a lot whenever he moved his head closer to a light. His handler knew that the stallion has had uveitis episodes in the past but the vet said he would be fine. Instead of calling the same vet they called one that has been recommended to them many times. It didn't take long for the vet to come to the conclusion that Buzz had ERU (equine recurrent uveitis), also known as moon blindness. It was very heartbreaking to hear the news.
Everyone at the ranch knew they wouldn't be able to afford any of the treatment or medications so they did what was best. That's when they found us, New Hope Acres. We take in all kinds of horses. Especially those in need of a little extra care and love. When we got the call about Buzz we immediately got a trailer set up and two of our best horse handlers were on their way. We did whatever we could to make sure Buzz had a warm welcoming and felt safe. He was scared at first but as soon as we introduced him to our blind mare, Atlas, he quickly felt at home.
We got him on treatment and medication as soon as he arrived. We had the vet waiting for him in the stables. He was a bit spooked at first since he couldn't see everything that was going on. Thankfully he quickly adjusted and allowed the vet to do what he needed to do. It did take a couple of months before he was allowed in the pasture and run again. When he was able to though he darted right out of those stables and into the green grass. He plopped down and rolled. He was so excited to be able to run and do the things he was born to do. Even though he couldn't see the fences he taught himself how to know when he was getting close since he was constantly running into them.
Buzz was very gentle when it came to children and small animals. He does his best to not step on them or hurt them. He loves the attention he gets with the children, he gets so many pets and they always sneak him treats when they're not supposed to. Every time he knew kids were around he would do anything to draw attention to himself. Even purposely run into fences! We wanted him to be able to do something with kids that would also help him get some energy out. Starting with simple and basic training we got him ready to become a therapy horse! It all worked out as we planned.
He came to us when he was 4 years old. A skittish blind babe who just needed extra care and love. When he turned 5 he became an official therapy horse! Now he is eight years old and is still a therapy horse. Working with new kids every 2 months and helping them gain the confidence and bravery they needed to continue on in the word. I can definitely say that he has changed many kid's lives and taught everyone he met a lesson. He showed them that no matter what happens always live your best life with happiness and to never be afraid with what the world may throw at you.
When Buzz was born he was a healthy little colt. Prancing around the fields with his mother, rolling in mud and chasing after the mares with his father. He was a regular colt who had a bright future ahead of himself. He was born to a dam and sire who had great racing bloodlines which meant that this colt was born for racing. Nothing could stop this fella from running when he was let loose in the pastures. I swear he could've run all day and night if they let him. His favourite weather to run in was when it was pouring outside. When the grass was so wet that every sharp turn a horse made they would tumble onto the ground. He loved the adrenaline it gave him. This colt was fast too, the fastest out of all the other colts.
As Buzz got older he started training in Barrel Racing. He fell in love with it immediately. The rush, the quick sharp turns around the barrels, he quickly picked up everything he was taught. When he was entered into his first competition he put all those other horses into place. He showed them what he could do and he definitely showed off his skills and didn't care one bit.
Sadly, it wasn't long until his short career was over. During one training session, his handler knew something was wrong. While he was tacking up Buzz he noticed that the stallion was squinting his eyes a lot. The stallon would also close his eyes a lot whenever he moved his head closer to a light. His handler knew that the stallion has had uveitis episodes in the past but the vet said he would be fine. Instead of calling the same vet they called one that has been recommended to them many times. It didn't take long for the vet to come to the conclusion that Buzz had ERU (equine recurrent uveitis), also known as moon blindness. It was very heartbreaking to hear the news.
Everyone at the ranch knew they wouldn't be able to afford any of the treatment or medications so they did what was best. That's when they found us, New Hope Acres. We take in all kinds of horses. Especially those in need of a little extra care and love. When we got the call about Buzz we immediately got a trailer set up and two of our best horse handlers were on their way. We did whatever we could to make sure Buzz had a warm welcoming and felt safe. He was scared at first but as soon as we introduced him to our blind mare, Atlas, he quickly felt at home.
We got him on treatment and medication as soon as he arrived. We had the vet waiting for him in the stables. He was a bit spooked at first since he couldn't see everything that was going on. Thankfully he quickly adjusted and allowed the vet to do what he needed to do. It did take a couple of months before he was allowed in the pasture and run again. When he was able to though he darted right out of those stables and into the green grass. He plopped down and rolled. He was so excited to be able to run and do the things he was born to do. Even though he couldn't see the fences he taught himself how to know when he was getting close since he was constantly running into them.
Buzz was very gentle when it came to children and small animals. He does his best to not step on them or hurt them. He loves the attention he gets with the children, he gets so many pets and they always sneak him treats when they're not supposed to. Every time he knew kids were around he would do anything to draw attention to himself. Even purposely run into fences! We wanted him to be able to do something with kids that would also help him get some energy out. Starting with simple and basic training we got him ready to become a therapy horse! It all worked out as we planned.
He came to us when he was 4 years old. A skittish blind babe who just needed extra care and love. When he turned 5 he became an official therapy horse! Now he is eight years old and is still a therapy horse. Working with new kids every 2 months and helping them gain the confidence and bravery they needed to continue on in the word. I can definitely say that he has changed many kid's lives and taught everyone he met a lesson. He showed them that no matter what happens always live your best life with happiness and to never be afraid with what the world may throw at you.