Rock and Roll (Rocky)


Here's poor Rocky on July 29, 2008.  Rocky was "rescued" by a woman in the high desert, when her neighbors indicated their intent to abandon Rocky in the desert (apparently an epidemic of such abandonments is occurring in the hi desert).  That woman had him all of a day, and since she can barely feed her own horses, and has just lost her home, went to Caroline for help placing Rocky.

After a trailer ride, he looked worse- he was TERRIFIED to get in the trailer with Kathy, as just two days before when trailered from the people who wanted to dump him in the desert to his 'rescuers' home, he'd been scared to death, caused to fall and ended up half UNDER the trailer.  So with booboos from that, and a couple of new ones got today in his efforts to resist loading, poor Rocky is a little beat up.  (See photo below).  His name above was bestowed on him by his sponsors and new home, but Kathy indicates she may be able to get his papers, and we may discover who Rocky really is.  I haven't had a chance to check his teeth, or see if he has a tattoo. I'll update once I've done that. 

He was SOOOO tired when he got here.  And dehydrated after a struggle that soaked him with sweat, and a long hot trailer ride, and a half hour of styling around the paddock, convincing the other horses that he may LOOK poor, but he's still got it.  He's supposed to be 18-20 years of age.

Let me take a moment before you look at the rest of his pics, to thank Caroline Betts of So. Cal TB Rescue, who spent hours notifying everyone of Rocky's need for a home; paid Kathy to transport him out of her own pocket; and collected $1325 in donations for Rocky's first year at TGC.  She spent hours on this, and with the kind support of the sponsors listed below, Rocky has been saved.  And Kathy spent an entire day gently persuading this terrified guy to get in her trailer, and bringing him to his new home, for nothing more than gas money!  Now, it's up to him....


We have collected enough donations to get Rocky through is first year at the Golden Carrot.  The rescue of Rocky is a joint venture between Neigh Savers, SCTB Rescue, The Golden Carrot and compassionate friends.

Update on Rocky

We have discovered that Rocky is much younger than we thought.  He was born in 1993 so is only 15 years old and his real name turns out to be Freebie's Lad.  Rocky has put on a lot of weight since we rescued him as can be seen in these new photos. He doesn't even look like the same horse anymore.  He is also very affectionate and grateful.  Caroline of SCTB Rescue is shown here with Rocky after giving him some love and treats.  Rocky's feet were very bad but the farrier has been working with him and he now has on new shoes that are very light and have improved his hooves dramatically.

Casey reports the following update on Rocky: "Duke lost is longtime buddy Hava earlier this year but in changing stalls it worked out well, as it puts Duke next to Rocky, who has become bonded to him. Every day, Duke takes Rocky back to the stall line for dinner - they're the first back in their stalls - and brings him out for breakfast. It's a funny combo - Mr. Calm, and Mr. Excitement; short crippled elderly gelding and very tall, athletic, hot TB gelding revolving around him like a balloon." In fact, you can sort of see Duke in the last photo of Rocky (he is very short, right on his side, you can see his face with a fly mask on).  It is evident Rocky hasn't missed a meal since arriving at The Golden Carrot.  One would never know it was the same horse!

Rocky's Sponsors

Rocky has no current sponsors. Please help if you can.