“Heart of a Champion”

Dyna King, son of Dynaformer and half-brother to Barbaro, has been given a second chance at life.

His first began last December when he was found wandering, both emaciated and lame, around “Dogpatch,” an area in South Tucson, which for the last couple of years, has served as a dumping ground for dogs, horses and other animals.

On December 12^th, at the point of near death, Dyna King was taken in by Judy Glore and Heart of Tucson, a rescue which is currently home to approximately 20 horses.

“He could barely stand,” said Glore, who is President of Heart of Tucson. “We were told that if we didn’t take him, he would be euthanized.”

When he arrived at Heart of Tucson, Dyna King, who reaches a height of 16.1 hands, weighed a mere 870 pounds. Today, thanks to Glore and the volunteers at HEART, he’s now close to 1200 pounds, the average weight of a horse his size.

Since his 9 months of painstaking rehabilitation, the sparkle in his eye is back. For a horse that ran in 56 races and at one time, was even nominated to run in the Kentucky Derby, he once again has a purpose in life.

But, like his half-brother Barbaro, Dyna King suffers from founder, or chronic laminitis – a disease, which in some cases, means the end for many horses.

Barbaro died as a result of laminitis in 2007.

This past Saturday, Dyna King got his second chance. Because of HEART, a number of farriers, veterinarians and several others involved with equine health, the 14 year-old thoroughbred will have a new way to deal with this debilitating and life-threatening disease.

 

“Plate the Hoof – Restore the Horse”

Through the efforts of Nolan Hoof Health, a company out of southeastern Ohio, Dyna King was fitted with two steel plates, which cover the middle section of his front hooves. Dyna King will wear the plates for a 16-20 week therapeutic treatment period.

According to the company’s web site, “This period of rehabilitation allows for the restoration of blood circulation, which increases the overall strength and growth of the horny laminae, frog tissue and sole of the hoof.

Combined with proper diet, environment and trimming, the horse can be brought back to a healthy sound state with the Nolan Hoof Plate in a short period of time.

The Nolan Hoof Plate mimics the natural design of the horse’s hoof, stabilizing the forward migration of the hoof wall and allowing support with flexation. When applied with the horse’s shoes, the plate encompasses the hoof capsule, reinforcing the weak point of the hoof and providing immediate pain relief.”

The Nolan Hoof Plate was manufactured in 2006, and “has a 90 percent success rate,” says President and Owner Kym Lee. “We’ve had a tremendous response since the plate’s inception,” she added.

 

It should be noted that an equine enthusiast, who has had personal experience with the success of the Nolan Hoof Plate, donated the rehabilitation of Dyna King, the training of the vet and farrier, as well as the application of the plate itself.

 

 

 

 

 

“Horse and Man Recover Together”

Several days after Dyna King was brought to HEART, Glore’s son, Sean was in a horrific motorcycle accident. He suffered a number of injuries, including some to his head, legs and feet. Like Dyna King, Sean was close to death.

“Just six days after Dyna King came to us, I found out that Sean was in this awful accident. Both happened in the same week and just before Christmas – it was terrible,” said Glore.

During Saturday’s event, while farriers worked on Dyna King for several hours, Sean stood right next to the horse, serving as both handler and supporter.

“I have a plate holding my foot together, too.” said Sean, as he wrapped his arm around the sturdy, thick neck of Dyna King. “Well, like him, I actually have two of them.”

It was clear to see that both horse and man are recovering well together.

Dyna King will continue his rehabilitation at HEART, and Glore says that once he’s fully recovered, she will find a permanent home for him.

“This horse has seen it all,” said Glore. “He’s raced at Santa Anita, Del Mar and was even nominated to run in the Kentucky Derby. He deserves the very best, and I’m going to see that he gets it.”

To learn more about Heart of Tucson and Nolan Hoof Health, log on to www.HeartofTucson.org, and www.NolanHoofHealth.com.