More than Irish luck: Diligent care gets injured horse back on its hooves

Sugar Ray Shamrock resembles a kid eating Oreos and milk. The black quarter horse, nicknamed "Irish," lustily picks up a mouthful of hay and dunks it in his water bucket before chomping away contentedly.

Sarah Keeker laughs and gives him a pat. The slam dunk is one of many endearing traits that prompted her to fight for the 11-year-old horse's life.

"I'm sure everyone has had that one special animal who stands out from the rest. I've had horses for 35 years and he is that one horse that has been different from all the others that I have loved," Keeker said.

Her optimism is reflected in the sign attached to Irish's stall. It's an old Celtic saying:

"If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough."

The sign was given to Keeker and Irish for Christmas by veterinarian Clint Unruh and the staff at Colorado Equine Veterinary Services in Peyton, who for nine months applied not only modern medicine but compassion and love to try to heal this horse.

It all started in May when Irish got loose one night at a boarding stable. It's believed he was injured kicking a wall bolt. He suffered a nondisplaced spiral fracture of the canon bone in his right hind leg.

Irish was at the Peyton equine clinic in a cast for about a month, then was confined to his stall upon release July 2. Trying to relieve pressure on the injured leg, he placed too much weight on the left leg and contracted laminitis, an inflammation in the laminae tissues that hold the coffin bone in place in the foot. The bone can be strained to the point that it pushes through the sole. In Irish's case, the coffin bone rotated but didn't penetrate the sole of the foot.

Laminitis is fairly common. The exact cause is unknown, Unruh said. Sometimes it can be cured, but sometimes it is so severe that a horse must be euthanized.

Unruh told Keeker the most promising treatment involved placing Irish in an Anderson sling for hours a day. The sling, strapped to a hook in the ceiling, would lift 50 percent of the horse's weight off the foot until it healed.

Most clinics do not use Anderson slings because they are relatively expensive for the amount of use they get - up to $7,000 or more, including accessories - and because the manpower required in their use is intensive. Keeker found an equipped clinic in Denver, but treatment would have cost up to $500 a day, she said. Just when she thought there was no hope for Irish, research led her to Rocky Mountain Horse Rescue, which loans out the slings at no charge.

The organization has three slings that have been used to rescue horses, including one that plunged into a swimming pool and another that fell on ice.

"We are thrilled we could help Sarah," said Bini Abbott, who founded the group.

With a sling in hand, the Peyton equine clinic could treat Irish. One of Unruh's clients, T.J. Best, donated material and welded supports to the clinic barn roof to hold the sling in place. All the veterinary technicians were trained to work the sling and care for Irish.

For 130 days Irish spent up to 10 hours a day in the sling with his hind quarters supported, and for eight weeks his foot was iced about 12 hours a day to relieve pain and inflammation.

"He tolerated it well. Some horses don't," Unruh said.

Irish got through the long days with help of the staff, who plied him with his favorite Life Saver Gummies and carrots. They kept a radio on just for him, tuned to a country-western station.

"The amazing thing to me was that we could be fussing with him, and the minute Sarah came through the door he would give this loud whinny," veterinary assistant Donna Camper said. "I thought that was so neat about his personality, his close bond with her."

It is mutual admiration. Keeker's voice breaks as she tries to explain it. "He is very special, intuitive and knows how I feel. And he is very smart, he gets really excited when he is learning new things."

Keeker, 46, has had horses all her life. She participated in show-hunter and show-jumping competitions growing up in Iowa.

She got Irish eight years ago and rode him Western-style three to four times a week before his accident. He is the grandson of the late Rugged Lark, who won the American Quarter Horse Association's Super Horse title twice. She owns United Floor Co., and was fulfilling contracts with two local hospitals while Irish was being treated. "My business partner, Jim Shirley, did extra duty while I went to the clinic every morning to help get Irish in his sling."

She also spent evenings with Irish.

In November, Unruh and farrier Gene Oliver put plastic Steward clogs on Irish's hind feet. They give added support and allow him to walk evenly.

On Feb. 8, after seven months at the clinic, Irish came home. Rather than board him again, Keeker had a barn built on her property for Irish and her other horse, Tuffy, a 20-year-old paint.

The broken leg has healed and the foundered leg is doing well. Irish is largely confined to his stall aside from regular 30-minute walks for grazing and time in a small corral for movement and socialization. Unruh hopes Irish will be "99 percent" healed by August.

The vet gives much of the credit to Irish. "He has that certain personality and attitude that is hard to describe. He gave in and trusted."

It also takes a certain kind of owner, Unruh said. "Not everyone can do it. It takes a tremendous amount of work. Sarah has done everything that has had to be done."

Keeker's vet bills have been manageable because Unruh factored in the opportunity to use the Anderson sling and for clinic staff to gain experience managing this type of case - and because of their attachment to Irish and Keeker.

Keeker said she hasn't added up how much she has spent on Irish's care. But Unruh said such care can cost between $10,000 and $50,000 depending on length of treatment.

Keeker spends about three hours each workday with Irish, and more on weekends. "It's great to have them home - to give Irish and Tuffy carrots before closing the barn for the night."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0371 or carol.mcgraw@gazette.com