Piper
Piper was rescued in October 2025 in order to keep her out of the slaughter pipeline. She had been cast off by an owner to a low-end auction, obviously lame and with other likely health issues.
Veterinary exam indicated that Piper is approximately 20 years old and shows evidence of bilateral ocular squamous carcinoma in both medial canthi of the sclera (in other words cancer of the eyes).
Piper’s hindlimb gait shows abnormal and axial lateral instability evidenced by each limb rotates about 30-40 degrees laterally, twisting the hooves in stance phase. Her left fore knee is visibly and palpably remodeled and enlarged. She is lame on the left front leg and has poor flexion range of motion (ROM) in the carpus.
Adding insult to all of these past injuries and conditions, Piper also had a severe head shake before, during and after her exam while at rest — suggesting she also has Head Shaker Syndrome. (note: we know Arabian horses — and others — do normally have various head tossing behaviors which are normal; what Piper showed was abnormal and severe).
Due to the significant bony remodeling and lameness in her left front leg which could not be managed for quality of life, and the eye cancer along with high likelihood of head shaker syndrome, Piper was humanely euthanized.
More About Piper
- In Assessment
- Chestnut
- Mare
- 2005
- Arabian
- Colorado