This post was sent to me today.  So sad.  Metro was a friend of Horse and Man.  Not only did we love him and appreciate his artwork – Metro generously donated coloring books to support our Drop in the Bucket Fund.  Helping other horses was Metro’s job.  His paintings raised much money for OTTBs.  Godspeed, good horse, Godspeed.

Original story posted here.

Rest in Peace Metro

We had hoped that a new farm with greener pastures would be good of Metro. That maybe different pollen counts would help lesson the constant flare ups of Uveitis that had taken away his eyesight. But as the day approached for the move, it became clear that Metro’s rapidly declining health and his anxiety levels with his loss of eyesight, that a move would do him more harm than good. We decided to keep him in Gettysburg.
Through long talks with Metro’s vet, it was realized that Metro’s quality of life had become drastically reduced and he was living in constant pain. The meds we had to give him to treat one aliment, were causing new ailments. There was no way to win, and nothing more we could do for him. Even though he had lived five years passed his original prognosis, and had overcome every obstacle he faced, Metro just had too many obstacles now, and was losing the battle. The heartbreaking decision was made that it was best for Metro to let him go. To ease his pain. Metro was humanely euthanized on March 28th by his vet and longtime friend, Dr. Kim Brokaw. Metro was 15 years old.
Metro came into our lives 10 years ago with an expiration date. With all of his health issues we were told that we would have to say goodbye to him sooner rather than later.
When Metro stepped off that trailer 10 years ago, he wasn’t the horse we had hoped for. But he turned out to be more than we could ever dream of.
Metro’s last days were filled with apples, oatmeal cookies, and hugs and kisses from the people who loved him.

He was the crippled racehorse that no one wanted. But he was amazing. He was a clown. If you walked into a barn filled with 20 horses, you would immediately know which one was Metro. He made his presence known. He greeted every visitor with a nicker, and whinnied back when you called his name across the field. His rambunctious attitude and health issues were a constant challenge, but we never gave up on him. And he rewarded us by taking us on his amazing journey. He was truly a special horse.

Most people dream of leaving a legacy, of being remembered long after they are gone. Metro will live on in the hundreds of paintings that hang in homes all over the world, and the hundreds of retired racehorses who now have a second career and loving home as a direct result to Metro’s artwork and message.

Even though Metro’s amazing story has come to an end, the story of retired racehorses continues. Hundreds, if not thousands of them every year need second careers and loving homes after their racing careers have ended. You can keep Metro’s mission alive by going to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and leave a small donation (or a friggen huge one) in memory of Metro.