Leos Hot Hancock
(Romeo)
AQHA 2007 Smoky Grulla gelding
Ee/aa/Crcr/Dd
Leos Night Heat X Jetta Joe Hancock
(Romeo)
AQHA 2007 Smoky Grulla gelding
Ee/aa/Crcr/Dd
Leos Night Heat X Jetta Joe Hancock
Romeo was purchased as a stallion in February of 2010. I had actually went to look at a different horse that was for sale and Romeo walked up and caught my eye we was told he wasn't for sale. We asked if they would put a price on him and they did and I brought him home. I truly believe Romeo chose me it was just one of those things that was meant to be. He needed me as much as I needed him. We bred him to 2 of our mares and then we made the decision to geld him because he was difficut to handle and kept injuring himself. He was gelded in September 2010 so he could have a life of ease and be with the herd. We have 2 beautiful fillies from him that were born in March 2011. In April of 2011 I brought him from the pasture and separated him from the herd to begin riding him on the trails. In May 2011 I went to catch him and bring him in to feed and he was running into things. We contacted the vet and he came out and after several vet visits and a trip to Memphis to see the opthamologist Romeo was diagnosed with ERU (equine recurrent uveitis) in both eyes and the prognosis wasn't good. He developed a cataract in his right eye and has 0% vision in it. He has a reabsorbed cataract in his left eye that is redeveloping and has an estimated 40% vison remaining in it at his last visit. Romeo is now on daily meds and an injection once a month to control the flares and slow down the development of the cataract in his left eye.
As of October 17, 2012 Romeo has lost all vision and is now completely blind. He is doing well and adjusting to life in the dark.
I had 4 rides on him before he lost sight. Getting on him for the first time after he was diagnosed was like riding a bomb, he was scared to death of everything and I was a bit nervous myself, it was new to both of us. Any little sound or anything he could barely make out with what vision he had left would spook him. He would run backwards, nearly jump out from under me, and some days he was just a nervous wreck. With time and commitment and realizing that we could get past this we started over. There were days I wanted to give up, days I would lose hope, days that I thought it was just plain crazy to try and ride a vision inpaired horse when I has several others that could see just fine, but I had my mind made up, I was determined. We worked on the ground and on voice commands. I am glad I did not give up on him. He is the best horse I have ever owned, and unless you were told you wouldn't know anything is wrong with him. I continue to ride Romeo on a regular basis, on trails, in the arena, and even in the local parade, he is the only horse I ride. I don't make excuses as to why I can't or why we shouldn't I always say there is only one way to find out if he can do it and that's to just do it and see. He has adjusted quite well considering his age and all he has been through. With dedication and trust anything is possible!
More information on Uveitis http://www.horsesring.com/forums/showthread.php?16582-moon-blindness-uveitis
As of October 17, 2012 Romeo has lost all vision and is now completely blind. He is doing well and adjusting to life in the dark.
I had 4 rides on him before he lost sight. Getting on him for the first time after he was diagnosed was like riding a bomb, he was scared to death of everything and I was a bit nervous myself, it was new to both of us. Any little sound or anything he could barely make out with what vision he had left would spook him. He would run backwards, nearly jump out from under me, and some days he was just a nervous wreck. With time and commitment and realizing that we could get past this we started over. There were days I wanted to give up, days I would lose hope, days that I thought it was just plain crazy to try and ride a vision inpaired horse when I has several others that could see just fine, but I had my mind made up, I was determined. We worked on the ground and on voice commands. I am glad I did not give up on him. He is the best horse I have ever owned, and unless you were told you wouldn't know anything is wrong with him. I continue to ride Romeo on a regular basis, on trails, in the arena, and even in the local parade, he is the only horse I ride. I don't make excuses as to why I can't or why we shouldn't I always say there is only one way to find out if he can do it and that's to just do it and see. He has adjusted quite well considering his age and all he has been through. With dedication and trust anything is possible!
More information on Uveitis http://www.horsesring.com/forums/showthread.php?16582-moon-blindness-uveitis
On October 12 & 13 I officially showed Romeo for the 1st time. We competed in trail obstacle, barrels, poles, Western Pleasure, walk-trot, Halter, and Western Pleasure Championship. Romeo did really good in the trail obstacle
class and went over each obstacle without any hesitation, but he backed over a cone and we did not place in the class, he did however get 5th in Poles, 1st in Walk-Trot, 1st in Western Pleasure, 3rd in Western Pleasure Championship, and
2nd in the halter class! I am very proud of Romeo and all of our accomplishments we are a team and will continue to be despite him recently losing all sight. Romeo is proof that a blind horse can do anything as long as they are given the chance!
class and went over each obstacle without any hesitation, but he backed over a cone and we did not place in the class, he did however get 5th in Poles, 1st in Walk-Trot, 1st in Western Pleasure, 3rd in Western Pleasure Championship, and
2nd in the halter class! I am very proud of Romeo and all of our accomplishments we are a team and will continue to be despite him recently losing all sight. Romeo is proof that a blind horse can do anything as long as they are given the chance!