Gus

Gus, born in 1984, is a gelded Gypsy Vanner, originally named Sundance. For most of his life, he served to perform PATH/Hippotherapy, which is therapeutic riding for special needs children for a boarding stable, named Gallop NY, in Queens. While he was beloved, his age got the best of him and was too old to be ridden, his joints and bones causing him pain from the constant carrying of weight. His docile nature made it an easy decision for Spirit’s Promise to step in and rescue him in 2019. Gus was so regimented in the work that we find him circling his own stall, leaving his bedding in the shape of a ring. After living at Spirit’s Promise, we discovered that Gus has a condition called Cushing’s, also called "equine metabolic syndrome”.  There are similarities between Cushing’s and human insulin-resistant conditions such as diabetes. Along with daily medicine called Pergolide, we also monitor his sugar intake and the number of carrots he receives. In the fall of 2021 Gus lost his best friend, Ali, due to old age, and while we could initially sense the loss he was feeling, we have seen a total rebirth of his spirit through a newfound relationship with his friend, Frankie. Frankie is our resident mini horse and you will now find Gus spending his days relaxing and running around the paddocks as our oldest horse on the property.

In addition to his meals consisting of Hay, Grains, and Alfalfa/Timothy Pellets, Gus also receives a dewormer and daily doses of Pergolide, an antibiotic for Cushing’s, and Vermont Pro, a prebiotic/probiotic.