Flirt

Flirt, born in 2001, is a Varnish Roan Appaloosa. Flirt served as a companion to her owner, living at a private barn for most of her life. After her owner passed away, friends and family knew that Flirt should not be forgotten. We heard about Flirt’s need for a loving forever home in 2016, after spending some time at a ranch on Long Island. Once she arrived at Spirit’s Promise, we learned she had tumors on the third eyelid of her right eye, as well as diminished eyesight in the left eye, which caused concern. Evaluated in 2020, after noticeable signs of pain with constant head shaking, it was determined her eyesight had worsened and questionable cells appeared in her retina. It was then determined in December of 2020 that Flirt had developed Squamous Cell carcinoma and would have to receive treatment at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists in Belmont, NY to have her right eye surgically removed. Luckily, the cancerous eye was removed before it spread to the rest of her body. With her left eye in question as well, it was determined she had on-set Equine Recurrent Uveitis, commonly known as Moon Blindness. In an effort to slow the progression of this disease and treat for pain, Flirt would now have to wear a fly mask daily to assist with UV protection as well as a daily topical pain ointment to be administered. Despite treatments, her eyesight has diminished significantly and will eventually lead to total blindness. Initially, Flirt assumed the role of the alpha mare in the herd, however that role changed as soon as her health was compromised. She could no longer make leadership decisions regarding safety and direction for the herd, so it was passed on to the next applicable mare.  It has taken a little over a year for her to understand her environment with strict daily routines and practices, and we have noticed glimpses of her alpha mare personality re-appearing. It is undetermined if she is completely blind, however, she’s living happily alongside her companion horse, Heartbreaker, and her seeing-eye goat, Darla. Flirt has learned to rely on her other senses and has formed strong bonds with the people and animals who love her on the property.
In addition to her meals consisting of Hay and Grains, Flirt receives a dewormer and daily doses of Neomycin, an antibiotic ointment for her eye, and Vermont Pro, a prebiotic/probiotic.