A to Z horses – Thunder Roars in Golden Years

Thunder

Now retired, Thunder is a senior Spotted Saddlebred Horse with a hard-luck story and a much happier ending.

As a youngster, Thunder spooked while tied and flipped over backwards, knocking the retinas out of both eyes. He was instantly and permanently blinded.

Thunder now resides at St. Francis Horse Rescue (SFHR) in Rosholt, Wisconsin.

“Thunder and his friends, Peppy GusGus and Sammy, are sponsored by Betty C.,” explained SFHR’s Mary Egging Hetzel. “She is very content with them living here. When they came, we had three empty stalls, right in a row, and she claimed them.”

Despite his total blindness, Thunder was trained for riding and became a dependable mount.

“His owner had 20 years of enjoyment with him,” Hetzel said. “He is one of the easiest horses to handle, and the volunteers just love him.”

Today, Thunder plays in the pasture with his old pals, GusGus and Sammy.

SFHS currently has several horses available for adoption, with profiles listed online.

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Related Items:

• Sight-Mare
• Optic Neuritis: A Look at Sudden Blindness
• Horse Dreams and Their Meanings
• Preventing Equine Overheating on Hot, Humid Days

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Last year’s A to Z post:  Trailer Terrors and Other Trying Times

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Image/s:

Photos provided by Mary Egging Hetzel

St. Francis Horse Rescue, Inc.

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