Scarlett shown here with her owner, Teresa Grace ,was an absolutely beautiful thoroughbred race horse, laid to  rest due to a short  life of hard  running and chronic founder.  Purchased at a auction known to be frequented by killer  buyers, we could not let this beautiful horse with such a kind eye be sent to slaughter  without first  trying all we could to save her.

     She had an obvious "blow out" on her front hoof, evidence of the founder or  an abscess, After several months of rehab,  Scarlett improved drastically.  One  evening late, a group of friends came to the rescue, wanting  to see the horses.  While in the pasture, Teresa was drawn to Scarlett and I must say, Scarlett was  drawn to her.  Wanting to purchase her,  she sadly got beat out of buying her by none other than  her  boyfriend.  While her boyfriend was in Florida working as an insurance adjuster, Teresa was extremely  lonely, and her boyfriend felt having Scarlett would help make the long,  lonely days go by  faster. He phoned me, making the final arrangements to purchase Scarlett for Teresa. 

     One afternoon, I had the unpleasant job of telling Teresa she had been beat out of buying  Scarlett.  While disappointment showed on her face, when I told her just who  had bought her, tears of joy and happiness streamed down her face.  Not known to Teresa or the others at  ...Never Too Old..., tears of sadness and would soon follow.  Teresa, determined  to give Scarlett a life free from pain and discomfort, spent countless hours on the internet, researching her condition.  She took her to several vets spending hundreds of  dollars, not  only on x-rays, but farriers as well.  The verdict was the same, she was a chronic  founderer.  Her coffin bone was almost  out the sole of her foot,  and one more bout of founder, would surely send it through.  Not wanting Scarlett to endure any more pain, Teresa, chose to have Scarlett put down. 

     The day was warm, sunny and though it made the task even harder, Scarlett was having a good day and appeared not to  be in pain.  However, just days before, when it was cold, wet and rainy, she could not walk without pain in her eyes. The decision  to put Scarlett was not made without much prayer and tears.  It was best. We have a section on our ranch, dedicated to those who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  I like to think my daddy, who passed away in January 2002, is taking care of them.