Ruth Foister couldn’t have been in a greater place when on the lookout for her first off-the-track Thoroughbred. Her expertise as a volunteer at Circle A House For Horses helped her immensely. She had adopted a number of horses from the rescue prior to now, offering them with loving properties and an opportunity for a greater life. Nonetheless, this time Ruth had a particular purpose in thoughts — she wished to search out her first off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB).

Within the fall of 2022, a brand new arrival named Cyclo had made his approach to Circle A House For Horses. After a prolonged trailer journey, he was delivered to a spherical pen the place he may lastly stretch his legs and take a break from the confines of the journey. As quickly as he was launched into the pen, Cycle burst into motion. He went wild, leaping and bucking Lipizzaner type into the air, his actions have been wild and spirited. Ruth had seen many horses with various personalities and behaviors, however Cyclo’s show of athleticism and freedom in that spherical pen was one thing actually particular. Ruth couldn’t assist however be moved by Cyclo’s show as a result of she had by no means seen something so sleek and spirited.

Ruth’s love for Cycle was instantaneous, it was clear that there was a novel connection between them, and he or she felt a deep bond with this exceptional horse. Her affection for Cycle solely grew stronger with every passing day. After ending her shifts at Circle A House For Horses, Ruth would be certain that to spend high quality time with him within the pasture, dedicating 45 minutes to an hour of her time to be with him in his pasture.

Earlier than lengthy, Ruth made the choice to undertake Cyclo. She knew in her coronary heart that he was the horse she had been trying to find, and he or she wished to offer him with a ceaselessly house.

Now on Ruth’s farm, Cyclo is the boss at house and oversees his 4 pasture mates. Taking his job very significantly, he retains everybody in line and out of bother.

Sadly, Cyclo has been recognized with Equine Wobblers and sticky stifles and shouldn’t be in coaching. Wobbler syndrome, often known as cervical vertebral malformation (CVM), is a severe and sometimes devastating illness that may affect a horse’s neurological and musculoskeletal techniques. This situation arises attributable to structural abnormalities within the horse’s cervical vertebrae, resulting in the narrowing of the spinal canal. The compression of the spinal twine interferes with the traditional functioning of the nervous system and might result in various levels of impairment, making it a difficult situation to handle.

The stifles of horses have a neat capability to “lock” in place to permit for the horse to sleep whereas standing up with out expending an excessive amount of power to maintain their legs in a steady place.  When this occurs, the horse might have problem shifting ahead, and it could possibly result in a situation referred to as “sticky stifles.” Sticky stifles can happen for numerous causes, resembling muscle imbalances or weak point, conformational points, or different underlying components.

Ruth nonetheless will journey Cyclo bareback on the paths or of their neighborhood to assist together with his motion and never permitting his muscle tissue and joints to get too stiff. Her future targets with Cyclo are to stroll in all places they’ll. He loves going to new locations, seeing new issues, and getting consideration from everybody they see alongside the way in which. Ruth would like to take him to the seashore sooner or later, she is aware of that Cyclo would completely like it!

Learn extra about Ruth’s different horse from Circle A House For Horses: Don Ramon.

The Jockey Membership helps many aftercare initiatives together with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the one accrediting physique in aftercare, and Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which inspires the retraining of Thoroughbreds into different disciplines upon completion of careers. View all the initiatives supported by The Jockey Membership.