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Keno watching us in the Spring of 2003
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I acquired Keno on July 1, 2000, from a woman who told us she didn't know much about horses. While at an auction she fell in love with his kind eye. Unfortunately she didn't realize what she had gotten into and the story unfolds, as I know it.
I was the Thoroughbred's last chance. We were told by the owners that they were seriously considering putting the horse down. Kris and I were 4-H instructors when I was approached about Keno.
Keno is a flea bitten grey with Northern Dancer and Nearco (Secretariat) lineage.
This picture was taken early this spring after Keno had gained over 200 pounds since I initially brought him home to the ranch. He has gained more weight this fall and his topline has since leveled.
Keno is off the racetrack and like any other ex-racehorse, he had a lot of issues he had to deal with. A lot of horses on the track are not treated well, kept constantly in a stall (not able to socialize with other horses on a regular basis), and many have emotional issues they have to learn to deal or live with. Keno was no exception.
I would never have taken on an ex-racehorse except for the fact that I've always liked a challenge. We have trained a lot of horses and worked with a lot of problem horses but these high strung running machines are a different piece of art.
Kris and I drove over and looked at Keno. We were told that he hauls well and is an awesome trail horse. While looking at Keno and talking I noticed that Keno was very pushy and the owners kept giving to him, especially when he started to have to a temper tantrum.
We found out after we brought him home that he had gone over backwards while being ridden and that the family members were afraid to ride him. We also learned later on that Keno had only been ridden 3 or 4 times in the 3 years the family owned him due to lameness, trailering problems, or other reasons.
As we started to load Keno into the large 2-horse straight haul trailer we realized we were in for a great deal of adversity but our determination ruled. There was just something about Keno. It took us about 15 minutes to load Keno by which time I was starting to have my doubts. We had taken another horse with us to help keep the Thoroughbred calm.
Fortunately we always travel with halters and shipping boots on our horses and use leg wraps for longer distances because of the chance of trailer incident. Keno started kicking at the doors of the trailer as soon as we closed them, so off we went with no further delays. Usually the horse settles down after a short period of time but Keno just kept getting worse.
Only 10 miles from the ranch on Highway 97 South, Keno finally kicked the doors open. Kris made a quick stop and I jumped out to deal with the trailer and horses while Kris secured the truck. The sight was astounding! The partition was lying over the backs of both horses. We pushed the doors shut and quickly retrieved the mare and foal chain (butt chain secured behind horses when partition is not being used) to secure the horses while we were busy sorting the mess out. We managed to get the heavy partition out and unload Kris' American Saddlebred to save him from more abuse the Thoroughbred was giving.
We called the ranch and our mother drove out with the other truck and trailer, which we promptly loaded Merlin into. We checked Keno over after arriving at the ranch. Upon taking him out of the trailer, Keno tried to kick anyone who got to close to his hind legs. After taking off the torn shipping boots (carefully!) and having doctored his scratches, we put him in the front paddock.
Merlin had bruised ribs, from Keno throwing himself against him in the trailer, which meant it would take time for his ribs to heal.
Emile Chabot, our farrier, came over the following day and started working on Keno's hooves. He had to cut away most of the hoof wall due to the fact that he had a severe anaerobic fungus and there was a chance that Keno would end up with a serious infection if this was left.
Returning the following day, the farrier put on the shoes. He didn't want to fiberglass the hoof because of the fungus, unless he had absolutely to, so we had to make sure the shoes didn't come off. The shoes were held on by one or two nails on either side. We could see the pain in Keno's eyes but now it was a matter of waiting.
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Emile Chabot trimming Keno November 2003 |
Keno had Contracted Heels and a mild case of Laminitis (Road Founder), caused by concussion to the feet from hard or fast work on hard surfaces or footing. The prognosis at this time did not look good.
Twelve weeks went by and still the shoes stayed on! Not only did they stay on but a healthy hoof wall had started growing back. Keno was so excited one day when he realized that he was no longer in pain due to his feet, that he raced down the field after the herd of horses and started bucking and spinning. He took a wrong step and sprained his left front fetlock! He was absolutely miserable! A couple of days later he was racing around again!
I was able to start riding him lightly towards the end of September.
I hope to find and upload the pictures I took of Keno's hooves when I first acquired him.
We introduced Keno to the herd on July 5th. He was happy to be out with the other horses although he knew nothing about herd dynamics, something the horses would have to teach him.
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July 5, 2000 Buffy (Myth Behavin) peaks out from behind her dam Alana (Stormy Red Sniper) while AJ (General Alarm) circles on the far right towards Keno who is in the center of the picture |
We spent some time with the herd making sure none of the horses got hurt in the process and watched while Keno blundered along.
It took Keno almost a year to realize the effects of herd dynamics. It took him another year to put that into constructive use. Keno was still not up to par as far as his health goes though. We still had a long uphill battle with him.
Most race horses have muscle injuries in their hind quarters due to the stress these muscles take. Keno proved to be no different and I went to work on him. I religiously carried around my 'Beating Muscle Injuries for Horses' by Jack Meagher and went to work on his muscles. I eventually got the muscles to release and noticed a difference in both his stride and stance. We still were not in the clear yet though!
I still have a few 'Beating Muscle Injuries for Horses' by Jack Meagher available. Anyone interested is welcome to e-mail me at mythbehavin@shaw.ca.
We were told Keno does not like bits and that we would have to use a hackamore. I have only heard of one racehorse that was run in a hackamore so I proceeded to work Keno with a soft snaffle. It didn't take long for me to realize that he had a serious problem happening in his mouth although I was also told that his teeth had been checked.
We have an equine dentist come and stay at the ranch every year for a week and do horses in our area. He was arriving shortly to put on a Dental Awareness Clinic and check and float teeth.
Keno was checked but unfortunately he was one of the few horses which had to be tranquilized, so we packed him up in the 3-horse angle haul trailer and drove to the vets. After 2 tranquilizers and Kris wearing her riding helmet holding his head (with Keno trying to rear), the vet floated his teeth. Despite the heavy doses Keno would not quit fighting and we found out why. His mouth showed signs of severe lacerations (both old and new), from the sharp edges on his teeth. The job was finally done and we drove the horse's home.
I was able to start putting on the bridle without using a Running W, and Keno happily played with the bit. I started using a Waterford D-Ring Snaffle, which Keno just loves. It is soft and flexible, has no sharp edges to jab him in the mouth, and Keno's mouth stays moist, while he still remains willingly under control.
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Keno is standing braced against the crucial pain he was constantly in. The temperatures dropping to 30 below celcius made his pain more unbearable than usual. |
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Helen Woods working on Keno's back while Keno is showing signs of relief from the pain he come to endure |
Helen Woods, our horses' Chiropractor, came through on her bi-yearly visit, so we had her check Keno. The news was more than we had expected. Two out of 7 of Keno's Cervical vertebrae, C1 (Atlas) and C4, (neck) were out, which explained his tilting his head to one side. 9 out of 18 Thoracic (wither & ribs) were out as well as all 6 vertebrae in the Lumbar (loin). His entire Sacral (croup) was rotated and his pelvis was also tilted to to the left side. (Poor fella!)
After the work was completed on Keno's spine I opted to give him a week of complete rest to adjust to the new feeling. I then started riding him and noticed a complete difference in his attitude and stride. He was very happy and would periodically kick up his heels at a canter. He was finally starting to go round on his own.
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Keno standing relaxed and pain-free after Helen worked on him |
Helen Woods came back to check on the horses again this November. She seemed impressed at Keno's shape. He had gained about 150 pounds since she had first worked on him and he is much happier. After Helen checked Keno out, she only found 1 wither and 3 lumbar were out, which she put back in place. His pelvis was only slightly tilted to the left this time, which was also adjusted.
Keno is now able eat with his head down, instead of raising it high above his withers while chewing his grain. His topline is starting to strengthen and level as he is learning to use muscles he has been avoiding all these years due to the pain it was causing him.
Pictured here on top is Keno (with Kris holding him) after Helen worked on him. Notice the fullness over his withers compared to the picture on the top of the page which was taken early this spring.
It is a real pleasure to ride and work with Keno now. The rescued horse is now the recuer! Keno is now used in Mounted Search & Rescue. He loves to get out on the trails and even tries to kick up his heels once in a while to show how vivacious he feels and how his moral has improved. He steps into the trailer willingly now and doesn't kick at the sides or doors.
I may never be able let anyone without bridling experience bridle Keno for as long as he lives. We have found once someone without a strong knowledge of proper and sensitive bridling procedures tries to bridle, or even unbridle Keno, we need to spend the next several days coaxing the Thoroughbred, to accept the bit willingly once again. I have found the more I work Keno with a bosal hackamore, he does relax a little more each time. I know anyone can always ride Keno with a halter and he will still willingly obey the rider's requests, a far cry from the high-strung, high-headed prancing bundle of nerves I first acquired.
Keno's feet will never be 100% but he's no longer in pain. We will always have to keep shoes on him in the summer when he is worked regularly but during the winter months, the shoes are pulled and he is allowed to run barefoot. He has even gained one shoe size since I first acquired him. At least he is sound now and I can ride him at any time with no worries. My farrier is still amazed with the improvement.
When I ride Keno now, he collects himself willingly, sometimes when I am not even asking. I think he is trying to let me know how good he feels and that he no longer hurts. He lowers his head down to the ground over rough or treacherous terrain to check his footing and still remains well balanced. He does not hesitate when I ask him to traverse areas with dubious footing and he doesn't tilt his head to one side anymore!
The last time we checked Keno's weight he had gained a total of close to 300 pounds since we brought him home, which pleases me. Winter is often hard on a healthy horse in the north country and the first 2 winters with Keno was extremely difficult. Last winter he grew a healthy, thick winter coat and came through much better, shedding at the same time as the other horses. This winter I am looking forward to an adventurous one. We are planning sleigh rides and even horse tobogganing or sledding parties.
I have even ridden Keno through treacherous areas without his trusty field and trail pal, Merlin (the one whose ribs he bruised in the horse trailer), with us! He can now be trusted to babysit the less experienced riders on his own. He has finally learned to trust in people!
Keno enjoys his role as 'Uncle' to the young horses now. I think it is because he knows he can get onto the greener pastures with the mares and foals. When he isn't looking after foals he is teaching novice riders, or riding the mountain trails either for fun or for Prince George Mounted Search and Rescue.
'Keno' really does mean that one is taking a chance, doesn't it?
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Keno while riding in March of 2005
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Keno shows his happiness by his forward stride, and willingness to travel off by himself with his rider. Showing his love for life, he tosses his head in his Thoroughbred style with a bounce to his stride. Keno hasn't had a lame day for several years now and his weight is up over 1000 pounds. I can now ride him bareback comfortably!
His problems are fewer and further between and he actually looks forward Cliff Hanna's visits now! I think he will always keep a place in his heart for the obvious difference Helen Woods made in his feelings of well-being. Although Emile Chabot is no longer Keno's farrier, his new farrier, Jamie Hamm, now has him in a larger shoe.
This fiesty Thoroughbred loves attention from everyone and whenever he sees signs of going for a ride, he makes sure he is not left behind. He now lowers his head when I hold up the bridle, and opens his mouth willingly while pushing his muzzle into the bit.
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Left to right Buffy (with pack saddle), Keno (Susan), Merlin (Kris), and Peppers |
Keno is my top Search and Rescue horse. He seems to know how important these missions are and works well with all the other search horses. He picks his way through obstacles carefully, and instills confidence in even the most timid rider. Keno patiently stands square now, while we search for clues.
He no longer tilts his head to side trying to evade the bit. He loves to run again, showing speeds which reveals his former glory as a racehorse. Keno tosses his head, in his Thoroughbred manner, and will sometimes add a kick to it, just to let us know how much he loves life now. He walks into the trailer, as if there never was an issue in the past.
Keno made his first public appearance since I have owned him on May 14, 2005. He participated in the May Day Parade, willingly accepting pats from excited spectators.
Created on November 19, 2003
Most recent update June 11, 2005
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