1977 sandy bay Appaloosa gelding (foaled 3/30/1977)

Zookie came to Blue Star Equiculture to have a retirement home.

His owner, Lisa, has owned him for more than a quarter of a century, since she was a teenager.  They've been through a lot together.  In Zookie's old age, he needs a nice stall of his own to lie down in, space to be left alone, a special diet and loving care.  Unfortunately, at the last place Zookie boarded at, he only had access to a run-in that he had to share with a couple other horses and some cows.  The other horses often wouldn't let Zookie come in for shelter, and the cows repeatedly trashed his bedding.  To make matters worse, Zookie had been switched from shoes to a barefoot trim, but the adjustment triggered Cushing's disease as well.  Zookie desperately needed a better place to live.  

Blue Star Equiculture opened our doors to Zookie in August 2009.  At first, Zookie, at age 32, had a hard time moving around.  Gradually, under the care of barefoot trimmer Betsy Merritt, Zookie's feet healed, and he gained more mobility. Zookie was given the choice by Blue Star staff to stay in his stall or go outside as he wished, and he seems to relish the opportunity to enjoy Paradise Paddock or stay in an nap in his private space.  Zookie has very few teeth left, and gets most of his nutrition from his meals - breakfast and dinnertime are Zookie's favorite part of the day; he "sings" loudly for his dinner!

Zookie's health has improved so much in his retirement home at Blue Star that Lisa was able to actually take Zookie for a short ride after more than 5 years of not being able to be ridden.  Now Zookie is teaching Lisa's two young children the basics of riding.  Hooray for Zookie, who has taught generations of people about horsemanship and patience.

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