Welcome to the

Illinois Equine Humane Center

Horses available for adoption

Royally Robbed (a.k.a "Robbie")

Robbie is a 6 year old, 16.1 h., dark bay, Thoroughbred gelding. Robbie is a very sweet and well-mannered boy who has no stable vices. Robbie is currently recovering from cartilage damage to his left knee, sustained during his brief racing career, and will require a few more months rehabilitation before being slowly restarted under-saddle. Robbie is currently available for adoption to that special someone looking for a flatwork-only prospect.

Lighthouseville (aka "House")

House is a 6 year old, 16.1 hand, dark bay, Thoroughbred gelding. House was donated to the ILEHC in December of 2008 after sustaining a slab fracture of the right knee during his last race on November 5, 2008. This injury resulted in the end of his racing career. House's injured knee required extensive rehabilitation which included 7 months of complete stall rest, followed by 8 weeks of hand-walking, and lots and lots of repeated radiographs so that we were able to accurately assess and monitor the healing progress of his injured knee. We were given the go-ahead to begin returning House to daily supervised turnout at the beginning of July 2009. House is doing wonderfully and thus far appears to be completely sound. House is an absolutely gorgeous horse with classically elegant Thoroughbred features. He is also a very sweet guy who just loves people! I have to laugh everyday when working around this horse...he just loves to give big sloppy horse licks anytime he gets the chance. I have to wonder sometimes if he isn't maybe part dog! House will not be ready to resume activity under-saddle until October 2009, however, he is currently available for adoption (adopting now will afford you plenty of time to get some ground-work underway!). Interested parties should submit their adoption application quickly. With House's stunning good looks and great personality, it won't take long for someone to come along and scoop this beauty up!

Lulu (registered name unknown at this time)

Lulu is a 13 year old, 16.0 hand, dark bay, Thoroughbred mare. The ILEHC rescued Lulu on June 6, 2009 from a kill pen at the Shipshewana Livestock Auction in Shipshewana, IN. Lame and in obvious distress, Lulu had already been purchased by well known kill-buyer Jaron Gold by the time the ILEHC had arrived at the auction. The ILEHC was able to broker a deal with Mr. Gold to purchase this mare to spare her what would have been tremendous suffering during the long journey to a Canadian slaughter plant. Lulu is safe now, although her lameness issues continue to escape diagnosis. Lulu exhibits classic signs of laminitis, however, the ILEHC has had two different veterinarians evaluate and radiograph Lulu's hooves and both have concluded that there are no structural abnormalities within Lulu's feet that would explain her obvious lameness. Further diagnostics are needed in order to fully diagnose the extent of Lulu's troubles. We also expect that Lulu could potentially be "with foal," so a pregnancy check is also on the list of veterinary needs for this lovely mare. Lulu is not currently available for adoption, however, we are seeking "angels" who would like donate to funds to help us with the extensive and expensive veterinary care that this sweet girl so desperately needs. If you wish to sponsor Lulu, please let us know.

Private Wager (aka "Wager")

Wager is a 7 year old, 16.1 hand Thoroughbred gelding. Wager came to the ILEHC in February after sustaining a fracture to his right front cannon bone during his last race in November of 2008. Wager has been through an extensive rehabilitation program which included several months of stall rest, followed by 8 weeks of hand-walking, and an eventual return to daily turnout. The latest word from our vet is that Wager's fracture has completely healed and the old injury should not place any limitations on career options for this lovely horse. So, this is GREAT news for hunter/jumper, dressage, and sport horse enthusiasts. Wager has a great mind, great manners, excellent conformation, and is a pleasure to work with. He is going to make someone a wonderful partner. Great horses like Wager usually don't last long once they become available, so if you're looking for that perfect sporthorse partner, you might want to send in your adoption application right away!

P.J.'s Play (a.k.a. "PJ")

PJ is a 12 year old, 15.3 h., gray, Thoroughbred mare. PJ has spent the past few years as a broodmare. Prior to her years as a "mommy", P.J. enjoyed a brief racing career. PJ. is an absolute joy to work around and handle. She is very quiet, sweet, and laid-back. PJ is currently available for adoption and we hope to find her that perfect someone who has the skills and desire to re-train this lovely mare for a new career as a show or pleasure horse. At only 10 years of age, the sky's the limit for PJ!

Lady Garthorn (a.k.a. "Lady")

Lady is a 18 year old, 15.3 h., dark bay, Thoroughbred mare. Lady has spent the past several years as a broodmare. Lady previously enjoyed a very successful career as a racehorse, and retired from racing in 1998 with career earnings of nearly $150k! Lady is a very kind and gentle soul who is a pleasure to work around and handle. In working with Lady it is clear to see that she just adores and craves human affection. Lady is available for adoption to that special someone who will provide her with the attention and affection she longs for and most clearly deserves!

Xcellent Jazz (a.k.a. "Jazz")

Jazz is a stunning 7 year old, 16.0 h., dark bay, Thoroughbred gelding. Jazz was very lightly raced having made only 3 lifetime starts, before sustaining an injury to his left front tendon sometime in 2007 Jazz has since recovered from the injury and in fact, was back in training as a racehorse in 2008 before being sold as part of an estate dispersal auction. Jazz is currently available for adoption and would be best suited to someone interested in a flatwork/dressage horse prospect or perhaps low-level jumping.

Conte's Whirl (a.k.a. "Conte")

Conte is a gorgeous 6 year old, 16.0 h., bay, Thoroughbred gelding. Conte enjoyed moderate success as a racehorse and was retired from racing in September of 2008. Conte was recently returned to the ILEHC by his adopter when she became unable to continue to provide a home for this sweet boy. During the past year, Conte has been taught pleasure/dressage basics and has been trail ridden in Kettle Moraine State Forest. His rider reports that Conte really enjoyed his trail riding adventures.

Conte is an absolute joy to work around, and is laid back and easy to handle. Conte is available for adoption to that special someone who has the skills and desire to continue retraining this handsome boy for a new career as a sport or pleasure horse. Conte has all the right ingredients needed to make someone an incredible show hunter, dressage, or event prospect. Sport-horse people should please take notice of this guy!

Sharp N' Appealing (a.k.a. "Sharpy")

Sharpy is a 4 year old, 15.3 hand, dark bay, Thoroughbred gelding. Sharpy had some minor race-training before being sold as part of an estate dispersal sale. Sharpy is currently recovering from a sesamoid bone injury that he sustained while playing in the pasture. Sharpy's injury requires repeated radiographs in order for us to track the progression of healing. Sharpy is not currently available for adoption, however, we are seeking "angels" who would like to donate funds to help us with the veterinary care that Sharpy will continue to need while he is recovering. If you are interested in sponsoring Sharpy, please let us know.

Popiscue (a.k.a. "Poppy")

Poppy is an 13 year old, 15.3 hand, dark bay, Thoroughbred gelding. Poppy enjoyed a very successful racing career in his native country of Brazil before being brought to the United States. Poppy has undergone some retraining with his former owner, and was just recently started over-fences. Poppy is currently available for adoption or foster!

Snowball

Snowball is an approximately 21 year old, 15.2 hand, gray mare. The ILEHC is working to assist the current owner in finding this sweet and gentle mare a suitable new home. Here is what the owner has to say about Snowball:

Snowball is a well-mannered, well-trained horse. She loves to be groomed and is content to be in a stall. She is sound so far as we know. We have had small childen on her while leading her. With an adult rider she obeys very well. She is a nice all-around horse who can give someone pleasure for many more years. We think she is mostly Quarter Horse. There are no papers with her. Our plans are to move to a smaller place in town, our reason for seeking placement for Snowball.

Snowball is stabled in Leroy, IL. Interested parties should please contact the ILEHC.

Hudslilforli

Hudslilforli (aka "Lil") Lil is a 15 year old, bay Thoroughbred mare. Lil was a racehorse until the age of 4 and has been her owner's pet ever since. Lil's owner believes her to be sound and suggested that she could be ridden again with some training. Lil is currently stabled in Mattoon, IL The owner's health forces the need to rehome Lil. For more information on Lil, please contact the ILEHC or email Lil's owner, Jeff manowar1920s@yahoo.com

Unsolved Mystery

Unsolved Mystery (aka "Scooby") Scooby is a 16 year old, bay, 16.3hh Thoroughbred gelding. Scooby was a racehorse in his early years and later a dressage and lower-level event horse. Scooby has some issues with arthritis, however, his owner believes that him to be suitably sound for pleasure, light trail, or low level dressage use. Scooby requires front shoes and is said to be a total sweetheart!

Here is what his owner had to say... "he has a wonderful personality. He acts like a baby, love treats. He likes to rub his nose on everything, if you scratch his withers, he will rub your back. He has great ground manners, he cross ties, and stands great for the farrier. He loads, clips bathes and everything. He can get a little hot when you are on his back, but it's been a long time since that has happened. He is actually in good shape at the moment. Keith helps me take wonderful care of him. He does have some muscle on him. He doesn't really have a top-line, but he's not working either. He likes to get up and go in turnout, once he gets moving, he's pretty quick. He does get along with other horses, he is a sucker for mares. He's not aggressive, but he has his moments where he can get irritated and bite another horse."

Scooby is currently stabled in Marengo, IL. For more information on Scooby, please contact the ILEHC or send an email to Scooby's owner, Shelley at xcqueen@gmail.com.

Symphony

Symphony is a 20 year old, chestnut, Thoroughbred mare. Trained English, Hunter-Jumper and Dressage, she was shown in 1999-2000, primarily local shows (4-H, Kendall County). In her prime, she had an amazing affinity for jumping. Symphony has not been ridden on regular basis for past 2-3 years (due to primary rider going to college/getting married), but has done well the few times she was ridden. She is sound and up-to-date on all vaccines/wormers. Symphony has been ridden primarily by experienced riders, she would not be a good fit for a very young or novice rider.

Here is what her owner had to say... "Symphony has always gotten along well with other horses, not aggressive in any way. We prefer that Symphony finds a private home, not a riding facility in which she’d be used for lessons. She very much needs at least one other companion horse, she has anxiety/gets nervous if she is left alone without another horse. She loves kisses on the nose, carrots and peppermint candies."

Symphony is currently stabled in Yorkville, IL. For more information on Symphony, please contact the ILEHC or send an email to her owner, Cassie Benson-Mandala at CassLB82@aol.com.