Rachel Alexandra is hand fed at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Photo provided by Rood & Riddle
Rachel Alexandra stronger
Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Stonetreet Farms announced over the weekend that 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is continuing to make steady progress as she recovers from abdominal surgery stemming from foaling.
According to a press release, her appetite has improved to the point that she was removed from IV fluids and nutrition on Saturday.
Attending veterinarians Drs. Brett Woodie and Bonnie Barr caution that the beloved racehorse still has “hurdles yet to overcome,” but add that they are pleased with her progress.
“I couldn’t be happier with where she is right now,” Woodie says.
As her vital signs remain normal and her strength improves, the mare goes for longer walks each day and enjoys grazing and spending time outside.
She has come a long way since she was rushed to Rood & Riddle earlier this month after a change in demeanor was observed following the birth of her second foal, a 140-pound filly sired by 2006 champion three-year-old Bernardini.
After exploratory abdominal surgery detected an excess of fluid in her abdominal cavity, denoting infection, a small section of the intestine was removed. Extensive abdominal lavage was performed to remove inflammatory cells and bacteria, according to a press release.
Provided her condition remains stable, Rood & Riddle and Stonestreet Farms announce the next update will appear on Thursday, February 28th.
Steuart Pittman on Alluring Punch at the PA expo
Steuart Pittman reveals winners of 100 Day Challenge
Steuart Pittman announced the results of the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100 Day Challenge this weekend to a standing room crowd at the Pennsylvania Horse expo.
Here are the results:
- Declan’s Moon was voted Best Suited for Dressage
- Suave Jazz was voted Best Suited for Foxhunter and Trail
- Gunport was voted Best Suited for Show Hunter
- Alluring Punch was voted Best Suited for Eventing, and Best Suited for Show Jumper, and The Horse You’d Most Like To Own.
In a festive atmosphere, Pittman proudly displayed how well the Thoroughbred ex-racehorses had trained during an intensive three-month period.
Winning horses were chosen via online voting on the Retired Racehorse Training Project, in conjunction with judging by a panel comprised of Nick Karazissis, Donnan Jones and Bev Strauss.
According to the press release, Suave Jazz did double duty before an estimated crowd of 2,500. Not only did he perform, but he also ponied Gunport and Declan’s Moon, who were a bit anxious before the crowds.
With the voting behind them, the next step in the process is to launch the trained horses into their next careers. Suave Jazz may have found a home with a foxhunter in Virginia, and Gunport and Alluring punch are both available for $10,000 and $15,000, respectively.
For more information about these horses, please contact Steuart Pittman at Steuart@retiredracehorsetraining.org.
