RESCUE HORSE TO SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION!
If you have adopted a horse from the ILEHC, we would love to hear from you. Any updates, photos, or even videos would be great to see and to share!!!
Soul Machen (Mac - but some prefer Soul) - ADOPTED
Congratulations to Pat and Gene R. on their adoption of our super sweet boy, Mack (JC Soul Machen)!
Mac is a 2015, 16.1 hand, off the track Chestnut Thoroughbred gelding. He won over all of his ILEHC humans and herd-mates with his heart of solid gold. Mac had 46 starts, last racing in August 2021 and emjoyed well deserved down time to relax into his new life and second career. Mac has had many professional training sessions and is available for adoption, as he is progressing well. We already feel that he will make someone very lucky in a low level/pleasure horse home, he's amazing.
Sok Sok (Soks) - Adopted
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Soks is a 2005 flashy Chestnut Thoroughbred gelding with striking chrome. The ILEHC rescued Soks who was a seriously underweight stallion who had fallen into ill fated hands (like Frankie) and ended up at the Kalmona Livestock Auction. Soks had a year of rehabilitation and is in good condition and enjoying some well deserved time to enjoy life without worry of abuse or starvation. Soks is learning to trust humans once again and enjoys peppermints, spring grass and snoozes in the sun. He is reunited with Frankie and enjoying life
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Foreclosed (Frankie) - Adopted
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Frankie is a 2009, 16.1 hand, Chestnut Thoroughbred, gelding with chrome galore. The ILEHC rescued Frankie who was a severely underweight stallion who had fallen into ill fated hands and ended up at the Kalmona Livestock Auction. Fast forward to a year of rehabilitation, Frankie is now in excellent condition and his incredibly kind personality is apparent to all who meet him. He is in a lovely barn with his horse best friend.
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My Pal Asher (Asher) - Adopted
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Asher is a 2010,16.2 hand, dark bay Thoroughbred gelding. Asher was relinquished to the ILEHC by his owner who was no longer willing to care for him. Prior to coming to ILEHC, Asher suffered a severe bout of EPM which left him with significant muscle loss to his upper right hind quarter. Asher has completed formal training and ready to start his new career. Asher has received a clean bill of health and soundness from the ILEHC equine vet, and is suitable for most disciplines. Congratulations to Sarah on adding Asher to her already lovely family.
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Little Spitfire (Jax) - Adopted
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Jax is a 2009, 16 hand, dark bay Thoroughbred gelding. The ILEHC rescued Jax at the Shipshewana, Indiana auction on Black Friday (November) 2015. This lovely gelding had been sold to a kill buyer when the ILEHC stepped in to rescue him.
Jax is very sweet boy, with good bone and substance. Jax is sound and a lovely mover who is suitable for any discipline. Jax is a gentleman under saddle. |
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Black Cadillac (Markus) - RRP ENTRANT - Adopted
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Markus is a 2012, 16 hand, bay Thoroughbred gelding. The ILEHC rescued Markus at the Shipshewana, Indiana auction on Black Friday (November) 2015. This exceptionally sweet and beautiful young horse had been sold to a kill buyer and was headed to slaughter when the ILEHC stepped in to rescue him. Markus raced 15 times as a 3-year old, and is sound, super quiet, and has the confidence and demeanor of a horse well beyond his young age. Simply put, this is a very, VERY nice young horse that is well suited to any discipline you might choose. Marcus competed in RRP.
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Running Scared (Russell) - Adopted
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Russell is a 2005, chestnut, 16.2 hand, Thoroughbred gelding. Russell retired from racing July of 2011 with earnings of $10k in 25 starts. Russell came to the ILEHC in August of 2011 as part of a herd of horses relinquished by their owner who was no longer able to adequately care or feed horses. Russell was moderately underweight at that time, however, in just a few short months, he has been completely restored to excellent weight and health. Russell is a gorgeous gelding with a very sweet and gentle personality! Russell is sound and ready for a new career as a sport or pleasure horse! He made a very special hunter or dressage prospect and we are very excited for his future.
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Island N Breeze (Breeze) - AdoptedBreeze is a 1998, bay, 16.2 hand, Thoroughbred gelding. Breeze retired from racing in 2009 with over $214k in earnings from 70 starts! An exceptional athlete on the track and built like a warmblood, Breeze is going to make a fine sport or pleasure prospect! Breeze came to the ILEHC as part of a herd of horses relinquished by their owner who was no longer able to adequately care or feed horses. Breeze was moderately underweight at that time, however, in just a few short months, he has been completely restored to excellent weight and health. Despite having raced 70 times, Breeze is a remarkably sound horse who we believe will make an excellent show or pleasure work with!
Breeze was adopted on April 4th to a lovely couple where he will be well cared. Thank you! Breeze at his new home, lower right picture. |
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King Cielo (King) - Adopted
King and his pasture mate
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When the ILEHC rescued King he was skin over bones. At that time, he was a 14-year old Thoroughbred stallion who at one time had been a fairly successful racehorse. However, he ended up in the hands of an abuser and was neglected and starved for many years. ILEHC provided proper nutrition and medical attention. Once that phase was completed, the ILEHC made the difficult decision, given King's age, to have him gelded. That was successful and during late spring, he was turned out with the other ILEHC geldings. He was fully recovered and the human/horse bond developed between him and one of the ILEHC volunteers.
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Magna Fortuna (Taxi) - Adopted
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Taxi was adopted to Alex who is training him in the art of dressage.
Gail's article about the rescue of Taxi and his "momma" from the kill-pens at Shipshewana has been published by Midwest Thoroughbred Magazine. Click here to read their incredible story "One Man's Trash" by Gail Vacca. |
Bling is a 2010 Filly and when she arrived at the ILEHC, she was emaciated and suffered from a debilitating and painful case of rain-rot. With proper nutrition during their formative years being essential for young horses to reach their full growth potential, the ILEHC feared that Bling might never fully recover from the neglect she had endured. However, with months of proper and sufficient feed, medical care and LOTS of people attention, Bling fully recovered and was adopted by a wonderful family who will get years of enjoyment from this lovely horse. We are so very pleased!
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Zagor's Pocket (Pocket) - Adopted
Pocket is a 1997, bay, 16.1 hand, Thoroughbred mare. Pocket retired from racing in 2002 having earned nearly $100K in 46 starts. Pocket was clearly an athlete on the track and is currently proving her athleticism and exceptional attributes while being retrained at one of ILEHC’s foster care providers in central Illinois. Pocket is a gorgeous mare, a very nice move, and is a total sweetheart to boot! In February 2012, Pocket started a new life in her new home with Beth in Pekin. We are also grateful to Gitza Peterson of Gray Horse Farm for fostering Pocket and for facilitating her adoption by Beth. ILEHC foster parents are a key ingredient to the success of many of our adoptions...we couldn't do it without them and are deeply thankful to have their incredible support. Best wishes to Beth F. of Pekin, IL and Pocket and many years together!
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Surfer Rosa (Rosa) - AdoptedRosa is a 2008, dark bay, 16.1 hand, Thoroughbred filly. She retired from racing October of 2011 with earnings over $11,000 in nine starts. Rosa was not much interested in racing so wanting to provide her with a more suitable life and career, she was relinquished by her owner to the ILEHC shortly following her last race.
In February 2012, Rosa found her new home with Sarah in Yorkville! Sarah and Rosa plan to spend some time hitting the trails and will also be training towards one day making their debut at the hunter shows! The ILEHC is deeply grateful to Sarah for giving Rosa a new start in life! Rosa is Sarah's second adoptee from our program, joining Conte's Whirl who Sarah had previously adopted. Click on photos to enlarge |
Mare's Ex (Murphy) - AdoptedMurphy at the time of adoption was a 7-year old 16.1 hand, dark bay Thoroughbred gelding. He retired from racing in July of 2009 with career earnings of over $105,000 garnered in only 18 starts. Murphy is a great guy with a wonderful and kind disposition. A very solid and sane horse, he is ready for a second career as a pleasure, trail, or dressage prospect. Murphy was adopted and off to Cedar Valley Stables in Iowa. We will certainly miss him around the barn but know that he is at a good location.
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Tejano Taylor (Taylor) - AdoptedThis 8-year old at time of adoption was a 17 hand, chestnut gelding was also a fixture in Chicago racing. Relinquished by his owner and retired sound, Taylor has already been retrained and is suitable for all riding disciplines. He has it all - great potential for a sport horse and a wonderful dispostion. What more could one want.
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Lighthouseville (House) - AdoptedA 6-year old at time of adoption, 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. His injured knee required extensive rehabilitation which included seven months of complete stall rest, followed by eight 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. Today House has been completely sound and is an absolutely gorgeous horse with classically elegant thoroughbred features. He has been re-trained under saddle and is a beautiful mover. He is also a very sweet guy who just loves people!
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Dancing Alke (Alke) - AdoptedRetired sound, this 5 year old at time of adoption, 15.1 hand, bay mare, Alke was relinquished to the ILEHC by her owner in December of 2010. Very sweet and confident, she is ready to begin retraining and will make an excellent prospect for all riding disciplines.
Alke has found her new home and career at a lovely farm in Kentucky and is currently being retrained for a polo career! Best wishes, Alke! Click on photos to enlarge- |
El Condor (Condor) - AdoptedThe pictures here say it all!
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Le Jester (Jester) - AdoptedJester was an 11-year old at time of adoption, 16.1 hand bay Thoroughbred gelding. He retired from racing in 2008 with earnings in excess of $316,000 which included a 3rd place finish in the Grade 3 National Jockey Club Handicap at Hawthorne Racecourse. Jester is a very sweet horse with great manners and is easy to handle. He is very well suited for a new career as a pleasure, trail, or dressage mount.
Jester found his perfect match with Cynthia and is enjoying all the love and treats that are showered on him every day! Click on photos to enlarge |
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Bold Days (Bo) - AdoptedBo was a 12-year old at time of adoption, 15.2 hand, dark bay Thoroughbred gelding who was retired from racing with over $400,000 in earnings in 89 starts! Bo was clearly an exceptional athlete. There are no limitations on what this guy can do! Bo served as a wonderful companion to Stephanie.
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Mustang Stacey (Stacey) - AdoptedStacey was a 5-year old at time of adoption, dark bay (almost black), 16 hand Thoroughbred mare. She retired SOUND from racing in April of 2011 with earnings in excess of $102,000. Stacey is an absolutely stunning mare with an incredibly sweet and confident demeanor. The sky is the limit for Stacey, who has all the right qualities to excel at any sport horse discipline!
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Lady Garthorn (Lady) - Adopted
Lady was a 19-year old at time of adoption, 15.3 hand, dark bay Thoroughbred mare. Prior to coming at the ILEHC, she spent several years as a broodmare after enjoying a successful career as a racehorse. She was retired from racing in 1998 with career earnings of nearly $150,000. Lady had several foals after retiring but, after becoming too old and barren, she ended up at a breeding stock dispersal sale where she was rescued by the ILEHC. Lady is a very kind and gentle soul who is a pleasure to work around and handle. While she is not suitable for riding, it is clear to see that she adores and craves human affection and is a great companion horse!
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Dynamic Red (Red) - AdoptedThe ILEHC rescued Red (#1 Red), was a 12-year old at time of adoption, 15.1 hand chestnut mare, from the Kalona Iowa livestock auction in November of 2010 and has been quiet and easy to handle. This beautiful flat-kneed mover is sound and has a wonderfull disposition. Red was adopted in late spring of 2011 and has started a second career as a polo pony for beginners. We hear she loves it!
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Royally Robbed (Robbie) - Adopted
Robbie is a 2004, 16.1 hand dark bay Thoroughbred gelding, came to the ILEHC when his racing career ended. He was relinquished by his owner and when he arrived at the ILEHC was lame and unable to walk. The cause was determined to be severe degeneration of his right carpal joint and following many months of rehabilitation, this very sweet and well-mannered boy is pasture sound. A perfect companion horse.
Unbridled Fabulo (Fabbie) - Adopted
Fabbie was a 7-year old at time of adoption, 16.2 hand, gray gelding who was rescued by the ILEHC at the Kalona livestock auction in January of 2011. Sound and fresh out of quarantine, Fabbie was ready to begin the retraining process and is suitable for all riding purposes. Tall and big-bodied with excellent movement, he will be an excellent sport horse prospect with a wonderful disposition! In Spring 2011, Fabbie found the perfect home in Wisconsin and is being re-trained for eventing. He'll be spending this winter in Florida with his new owner as she attends college there. Best wishes for many successes, Fabbie!