Nopie the Rescued Horse

[Pedigree Ann]

Degrees of separation time; turns out Nopie was sired by Chullo, a terrific Argentine racehorse who, as it turns out, injured a suspensory in his last race in South America. New US owners tried to run him up here but he never regained his form. He stood at the No Cal farm of a friend of mine on another board, Joan Rogers, until Chullo's little brother was champion 2yo in Argentina a couple of years ago. After that, some Argentines decided to bring him home, where he is getting more and better mares. Happy ending for Nopie's dad, too.

[DerbyCat]

Nopie is scheduled to arrive at Golden Gate Fields Friday morning. He'll be staying in the barn of Steve Sherman, Nopie's original trainer. Steve is going to make sure Nopie gets plenty of rest, lots to eat and a visit from the vet on Saturday. Nopie will be vanned to GEVA on Sunday and will begin his R&R to recovery.

Saturday will be a great day for me, my filly is in the 8th race at GGF and I'll get to see Nopie for the first time since he left California for Turf Paradise. I actually think I'm more excited to see Nopie than to watch O Firefly race (probably because I'm not expecting her to win ). I'll be heading straight to the barn when I get to the track and will visit with Nope for quite a while, I've got his carrots ready and I'll even bring him some apples. I'll have photos up Saturday night so you can see him.

On Sunday I'll be going up to Sonoma to meet Nopie at his new home at GEVA. They've been getting a lot of rain and their paddocks are all mud but it looks like Nopie will be staying warm and dry in the barn - A big thanks to GEVA for making room for Nopie, they've got a lot of horses but they're making room for one more and I appreciate it.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Happy ending for Nopie's dad, too.

It's really all about happy endings

[Echo Farm]

Things are tough for a lot of us, but I made a tiny donation to them. I'll do more in the future, maybe hold an ebay auction of some of my horse stuff.

http://www.glenellenfarms.com/geva/index.htm

Remember PayPal takes 30 cents per transaction and 2.9%.

I hope Nopie does well, and thanks to all for this.

[Bystander]

Originally Posted by freddymo

It's really all about happy endings

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

I actually think I'm more excited to see Nopie than to watch O Firefly race (probably because I'm not expecting her to win ).

Best wishes!

I do note the ML favorite and a card without Russell....

[DerbyCat]

Just wanted to update you on Nopie, he's doing well at his new home at GEVA in the wine country of northern California. He's got a stall in the barn that has its own small paddock in front of it which overlooks the larger paddocks where all the other horses spend their day... he's eating everything put in front of him and is getting spoiled by the staff at GEVA (they say he's playful and loves attention). When he's not eating, he's resting, either laying down in his paddock or looking outside peacefully at the other horses. Hopefully he really likes it there because he's stall-bound for the next 9 months.

Nopie arrived last Saturday at Golden Gate Field a very hungry, sore, tired and skinny horse. He has a new 1.5" long scar on his nose, a few other scratches and scrapes not seen a couple months ago and his ribs and hip bones were very pronounced. He spent the night at Steve Sherman's barn before the final drive to his new home at GEVA and I had the opportunity to visit him last Saturday and Sunday. The vet let me know that Nopie tore both branches of his suspensory ligament in his front left leg and a chip of bone was pulled off as well. He'll be stall bound for the next six months followed by another three months of paddock rest. The encouraging thing was hearing that with proper rest, he has a very good chance of giving rides to my three young nieces next summer

GEVA has had great success in horses recovering from this same type of injury in the past so I'm feeling really good about his future. Last Sunday I visited GEVA for the first time and was impressed with their farm. It's nine acres of almost nothing but living space for retired race horses - I was introduced to the 30 horses that Nopie will be hanging with for a while and was impressed with their stories - a lot of good northern California horse trained by some of the best trainers in this area - all fairly severely injured but given a chance to live a good life at a nice little farm. I plan on visiting Nopie at least 2-3 times a month and will keep you updated on his progress (photos to follow soon, I just need time to download them). If you want to help Nopie, you can make a donation to GEVA at http://www.glenellenfarms.com/geva

There was a happy ending to this story but that's not the case with a lot of horses that leave local tracks at the lowest claiming ranks... I honestly believe that if I had not stepped up to save Nopie he would be dead now - either they would have put him down shortly after his last race or he would have been sold to a Canadian rendering plant and killed for his meat. You know, I've never done something like this before (I'm not a member of PETA nor a bleeding heart liberal) but this felt right... I love this sport and because of my close association with my trainer, Steve Sherman, I got to know this one horse in his barn and felt that he was worth saving. I'm just one person but I think I made a difference (with Scav's help, can't ever forget what Tom did to help - he's an outstanding person ).

I'll post photos soon, I promise!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

Just wanted to update you on Nopie, he's doing well at his new home at GEVA in the wine country of northern California. He's got a stall in the barn that has its own small paddock in front of it which overlooks the larger paddocks where all the other horses spend their day... he's eating everything put in front of him and is getting spoiled by the staff at GEVA (they say he's playful and loves attention). When he's not eating, he's resting, either laying down in his paddock or looking outside peacefully at the other horses. Hopefully he really likes it there because he's stall-bound for the next 9 months.

Nopie arrived last Saturday at Golden Gate Field a very hungry, sore, tired and skinny horse. He has a new 1.5" long scar on his nose, a few other scratches and scrapes not seen a couple months ago and his ribs and hip bones were very pronounced. He spent the night at Steve Sherman's barn before the final drive to his new home at GEVA and I had the opportunity to visit him last Saturday and Sunday. The vet let me know that Nopie tore both branches of his suspensory ligament in his front left leg and a chip of bone was pulled off as well. He'll be stall bound for the next six months followed by another three months of paddock rest. The encouraging thing was hearing that with proper rest, he has a very good chance of giving rides to my three young nieces next summer

GEVA has had great success in horses recovering from this same type of injury in the past so I'm feeling really good about his future. Last Sunday I visited GEVA for the first time and was impressed with their farm. It's nine acres of almost nothing but living space for retired race horses - I was introduced to the 30 horses that Nopie will be hanging with for a while and was impressed with their stories - a lot of good northern California horse trained by some of the best trainers in this area - all fairly severely injured but given a chance to live a good life at a nice little farm. I plan on visiting Nopie at least 2-3 times a month and will keep you updated on his progress (photos to follow soon, I just need time to download them). If you want to help Nopie, you can make a donation to GEVA at http://www.glenellenfarms.com/geva

There was a happy ending to this story but that's not the case with a lot of horses that leave local tracks at the lowest claiming ranks... I honestly believe that if I had not stepped up to save Nopie he would be dead now - either they would have put him down shortly after his last race or he would have been sold to a Canadian rendering plant and killed for his meat. You know, I've never done something like this before (I'm not a member of PETA nor a bleeding heart liberal) but this felt right... I love this sport and because of my close association with my trainer, Steve Sherman, I got to know this one horse in his barn and felt that he was worth saving. I'm just one person but I think I made a difference (with Scav's help, can't ever forget what Tom did to help - he's an outstanding person ).

I'll post photos soon, I promise!

glad he made it out and to GEVA. hope that stall rest gets him well-no doubt it'll help him gain some weight too. it's a good thing for him you were able and willing to rescue him.

[Sightseek]

thanks for the update, keep them coming!

[Payson Dave]

http://www.glenellenfarms.com/geva

donation made via paypal.... good luck with your horse

[DerbyCat]

After one week at Nopie's new home in California, here's the report from GEVA:


Week end report....

Nopie is doing fine. He's a bit too playful wanting to buck and kick in his paddock. It's great to see him feeling so well, but I wish he'd take it easy on his leg!!!

He's eating everything put in front of him 3-4 times a day. He's moving well on the injured leg and standing well on both fronts.

He's very vocal and affectionate and enjoys his treats ... even cookies now.

So, I think he's a happy camper.

He hasn't put on any noticeable weight to date, but his appetite is great.


I'll be heading up to Sonoma again next weekend to visit the Nopester, can't wait to see him now that he's back to his normal playful self!

[DerbyCat]

I wanted to update all of you on Nopie. He's doing really well at GEVA, making friends with all of the volunteers and eating everything put in front of him. The leg seems to be doing well, he's standing on all four and not favoring any one leg. He's playful again and seems to be happy. I'll be going to see him again this weekend and will post photos then. My pictures from last time have him looking rather lethargic.

Now for the update on "The Story of Nopie" - this has taken on a life of it's own. I received this e-mail this morning in reply to my e-mail to the Nebraska Racing Commission:

Dear Chelle
Just to let you know, we are looking into this, but it is hard to follow up on as everybody has been reading about Nopie on the internet... I hope Nopie is doing well, and I have spoken to Mr. Ecoffey about the incident... Thank you for bringing this to our attention...
Rich Berggren


"reading about Nopie on the internet..."? Besides post here on DerbyTrail my partner wrote about it on her blog as well (and it was picked up by a couple other bloggers as well). She received a few replies from the blog, one of which told her (and I'm paraphrasing here so as not to completely identify this person):

Hi, I am from Grand Island NE. I just read the story of Nopie....I've known GW for a long time and am not surprised at how this horse was treated.... Anyway, the list of people who received this letter along with me, are people who do, or have raced in NE. I am so glad this was brought out! Good luck with your efforts, and best of luck with Nopie.


My partner replied to this person and asked who she heard about Nopie from (we wanted to see which rescue group was telling the story), and this was the person's reply:

I'm not sure who got the story, but it is out to horsemen in NE, so that's wonderful!
...I'm glad you went through all the work you did to save Nopie. If he were still with GW, he would've had him put down, instead of finding him a loving home where he still serves a purpose of giving people joy by being around him!


Wow! The story of Nopie was told to horsemen all over Nebraska! So people have been reading about Nopie and GW has been confronted about this, that's great! And then my partner received this comment post on her blog (this has not been edit or corrected in any way, it is exactly as it was written):

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Story of Nopie":

Lady you are a nut. First off when you tell a story that is susposed to be true you should get you facts streight. On Turf Paradise is a dump and doesn't have a polly tack it is hard as hell. You would know that if you was realy a horse person and not just a crack pot. After reading your story I went to GW's Barn and did some investagating and What I have found was GW's runs a tight ship every groom only takes care of a small number of horses so that they each get the individual care. Legs done up every day. One of the best feeding programs in the circut. GW's horses always look good and well taken care of. It amazes me that someone would do something like that to anouther person like you are doing with your false and wacked story that was full of fiction would make a good minnie movie though maybe you sould start writing fiction storys I will buy your books.

WTFP,
were is this world going to these days.


Now I admit, my partner did write, incorrectly, that Turf Paradise was an all weather track in her very long post on this story but this reply is over the top. The poster really zeroed in on one insignificant fact and then proceeded to say how great GW takes care of ALL his horses - that's not what the story is about, it's about his care of one horse - and this seems like a really defensive posting to me... I wonder who wrote it? The president of the GW Fan Club?

I believe I have struck a nerve with this trainer, which was my goal, and negative attention was focused on him which I believe he deserved. Nopie is safe at home now and is getting better every day. My focus is now completely on Nopie's care and future, Nebraska is in the past. Thank you to everyone who shared the story of Nopie with others - any attention put on life after the track for injured race horses is a good thing - there are so many rescue groups that take care of retired horses that need more attention and help, anything you can do for GEVA, Old Friends, and others like them is appreciated more than you can imagine.


Thank you for caring about one broken down gelding,

DerbyCat

[31lengths]

Deer Lady you are a nut. you should get you facts streight. You would know that if you was realy a horse person and not just a crack pot.
I agrre. it would make a good minnie movie though maybe you sould start writing fiction storys I will buy your books if i could only spell and reed..

Anonymouse

Like I said before, major kudos for what you did. I have a strong feeling that the industry (and the rest of the world) would be better off with more "crack pots" like you.

Looking forward to some pictures !

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

I wanted to update all of you on Nopie. He's doing really well at GEVA, making friends with all of the volunteers and eating everything put in front of him. The leg seems to be doing well, he's standing on all four and not favoring any one leg.

DerbyCat, good job all the way around.

I'm happy to be able to share your story with others....and I have. :-)

Hoping for the best for all, but as the cards play you certainly have earned a "mission accomplished" on your goals and completed efforts.

I'm proud to be able to have a claim you as an internet and horse racing friend!

[DerbyCat]

Here are some photos of Nopie... I went up to visit with him and he's doing really well. He's moving around great on his bad leg and he seems really happy in his new surroundings. He wants to eat everything and loves getting carrots!





This is Nopie's home at GEVA, a small paddock with an attached stall in the main barn. It looks over the outdoor paddocks where the other horses spend their day.




Here's Nopie up close and personal a couple of weeks ago when he arrived at Steve Sherman's barn at Golden Gate Fields.




Here's a shot of Nopie that shows his colors well... and him sticking out his tongue! Pam at GEVA says Nopie sticks his tongue out and makes slurping noises - I think that's his way of saying "More food sure would be tasty right about now!"

[ddthetide]

good shots! thanks for letting us see the Very lucking Nopie!

[Cannon Shell]

Dear Anonymous,

There is this new button on your computer. It is called SPELLCHECK and you should think about using it next time you defend some gyp trainer in horseracing hell. "One of the best feeding programs on the circut"? That is rich.

[herkhorse]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Dear Anonymous,

There is this new button on your computer. It is called SPELLCHECK and you should think about using it next time you defend some gyp trainer in horseracing hell. "One of the best feeding programs on the circut"? That is rich.

come on, that new "poly tack" is supposed to be good for horses

[cowgirlintexas]

Thanks for the update and the photos... Nopie looks very happy and is so lucky to have been blessed with you finding him

[31lengths]

Thanks so much for the pictures !