In Memory of Mike September 1, 2010 - REST IN PEACE

Mike, a Percheron gelding, was euthanized on September 1, 2010 due to degenerative arthritis in his knees.

His arthritic condition was present before he began work as a carriage horse, but after several years, developed to a point that he could no longer work.

At that point, he was retired, and came to Blue Star Equiculture in April, 2009, where he has enjoyed his retirement. Over time, his arthritis worsened, and it reached a point where joint care and pain management was inadequate to make him comfortable. He is believed to have been in his mid 20s.

ca 1985 - September 1, 2010 

Grey Percheron gelding
Retired carriage horse

Mike is a retired carriage horse from 76 Carriage Company in Philadelphia.

He's a Percheron draft horse in his mid- to late-teens, who had to be retired because he has severe arthritis in his knees. He has virtually no sinovial fluid left in his knees, and he is violently(!) opposed to the vet trying to inject any more fluid or cortisone into them. This means that Mike sometimes has a hard time getting up when he lies down, and he repeatedly tried to remodel the barn in Philadelphia when he would get stuck.

So, Mike has to live outside now, and occasionally needs a push to get up in the morning.

Mike had been on turnout in Lancaster County since December, and just arrived at Blue Star Equiculture at 1:00 AM on Tuesday, April 6th, 2009.

He and Bud greeted each other like the old friends that they are. They also, like old friends who know each other well enough to disagree, have had some disputes over hay and attention--Mike proving that even with his bad knees, he can still buck and trot!


(Bud showing Mike how to live the retired life. Mike says laying down is not as easy as it looks.)

Cupcake is completely taken with the eminence grise that has moved in.



(Mike and Cupcake at the confluence of the Swift and Ware Rivers, April 8, 2009)

Mike seems to enjoy his new life of retirement, though he was a bit overwhelmed when Dakota, Petey, Bud, Cupcake and human friends took him on a walk down to the rivers--he wanted to stick as close as possible to his buddy Bud in the unfamiliar, scary alfalfa fields!



(Omar and Lindsey with Bud, Mike, and Cupcake, attempting to make a dent in Tom's acres of alfalfa.)

Mike has since taken up his role as "meet and greeter." He was the first to welcome Jesse to the herd, and is always welcoming to newcomers like Duchess and Chyna. He was especially thrilled to see is old friend Tom from Philadelphia - they spent many a night in Northern Liberties in adjoining yards.

Mike will often come directly up to the fence to greet visitors. He especially likes being groomed by our volunteers!