Rohan Stables

In Memory of Hombre

1995 - 2007

Hombre arrived in July 2005 from Louisiana, it was planned for him to come to us on consignment, but as soon as he jumped off the trailer I had a feeling in my heart he would never leave. Hombre was a magnificent chestnut Peruvian Paso stallion, sadly a crypt orchid so he was never bred, this will now be the biggest regret of my life.

He was very stressed after his long journey, which ended up being many hours more than it should have been. The first night was very stressful and he had to be sedated for his own safety, but he had already started to damage his feet and by morning he was colicing. He was treated and turned out in a paddock as advised by the vet to get some grass, but he freaked out and at a gallop he slid straight through a fence cutting his leg badly. After four long hours of superb veterinary work, he was stitched up which is where this story really begins.

It was soon apparent that he was foundering due to stress and by the time we found the right vet it was too late and his coffin bones sank. I spent every night caring for my darling Hombre, changing his dressing, caring for his feet, and he spent 3 long months down in his stall. I feared that he would hate me when he was better because of all the shots and medicine I had to administer, I could not have been more wrong, the bond between us was like nothing I have felt before. Slowly he began to make a come back, he was now back on his feet and things started to look better. Our wonderful vet managed to work his magic and Hombre after one year was back out in a paddock grazing happily next to his best friend Centavo, another Peruvian Paso stallion.

Two years have now passed and the heart breaking news came, new x-rays showed he had rotated so badly in his right front, and I could not bring him back this time. The decision was made between ourselves, our vet and our farrier that the time had come. Thank you both for everything you have done for my boy.

Today, 7th September 2007 Hombre was euthanized, a heartbreaking decision, but we could not put him through any more pain. He has been set free to run in grassy paddocks, where I will see him again one day.

I know that Hombre would want me to thank all those special people who loved him, his special treat lady Jean Wheelus who came to see him everyday, and god help her if she missed a day, because he'd let her know, and to Jean's son Stephen who helped Hombre just by being there. Jack, Edna and Kristy Miller who were always there through the bad times, thank you for the times you drove over just to sit in the stall with us in the middle of the night when things got tough. Thurman Tolbert, Hombre's chiropractor who made a huge difference to his well being.

Thank you to everyone who knew Hombre, I know he touched all of your lives.