10/29/2026
I have some difficult news to share.
Stetson wasn’t always ours, but from 2024–2026 he was deeply loved by all who walked through the barn doors. He was cherished for his smooth gaits, his beauty, his huge personality, and his heart of gold.
He lived in a body that was overbred on genetics. He had a muscle disorder that caused tie‑ups and collapses when unmanaged, but once diagnosed, we kept it controlled. We supported his arthritis with long‑acting joint injections and systemic care. When he developed front‑right lameness this summer, we followed every correct protocol including therapeutic shoeing, radiographs, rehab, farrier and vet collaboration, and he was improving.
Then in September, he went acutely lame behind. We suspected a stifle flare, but treatment didn’t help. Even on pain meds, he wasn’t improving, so we scheduled a performance vet to dig deeper. In the week before the appointment, his fetlock began dropping rapidly. My heart sank.
Today we learned he had torn over 75% of his suspensory ligament, and the tear pulled bone away. The radiographs and ultrasound made the severity unmistakable. It originated from a stifle issue, but compromised his lower limb. In a horse with strong conformation and no medical issues, a suspensory tear might be worth asking the horse for a year of rehab. But in Stetson’s compromised body, asking him to endure that battle would have been too much. The vets agreed that the kindest choice was to let him go.
He was one of my best friends in the barn. Silly, sweet, kind, and in his healthy days, able to eat trails for breakfast. He was broke with fancy buttons, loved neck scratches and morning naps, and adored his caretakers and students. I will miss him fiercely. More responsible breeding practices could have prevented so much of what he faced, and his loss has given me pause.
Stetson, you were such a good boy. Love you.
