THE FREEDOM’S FLIGHT STORY

A SOUTH FLORIDA S.P.C.A. RESCUE

Rescued from a slaughter farm in Miami, FL in June 2008 by the South Florida SPCA, Freedom’s Flight’s recovery began!  Foaled in Kentucky in 2005, there were high hopes that this fast, spirited, three year old Thoroughbred might be a Triple Crown winner, much like his illustrious grand-sires; Gallant Fox, Omaha,  War Admiral, Secretariat, and Seattle Slew.   Shortly after his third birthday, Freedom’s Flight ran his last race.  Just out of the gate at Florida’s Gulfstream Park, Freedom suffered a bad break in his front leg.  In the courageous spirit of his forbears; Man O War, Nijinsky, Northern Dancer, and A.P. Indy, Freedom did what he was bred to do.  He kept running.  He came in third despite his crippling, career ending injury.  It was then that Freedom’s downward spiral began.  His owner at the time, a longtime owner/breeder in the racing business, apparently saw little value to the disabled Thoroughbred and, to the best of our knowledge, “gave him away.”  Mere days after his injury, Freedom was given to two subsequent “pony ride” companies in Miami.  In the heat of summer, with a broken leg, Freedom was forced to give rides to any passersby on the side of city streets.   When he could no longer even walk, Freedom was sold for $50 to a slaughter farm where he lived in filth and misery, awaiting his cruel fate until his miraculous rescue by the South Florida SPCA.  Immediately after he was rescued, South Florida SPCA veterinarians evaluated and diagnosed him as follows:  Severely emaciated, suffering from Strangles (a serious equine infectious disease), severe rain rot resulting in the loss of almost all his hair, bites, wounds, severe rashes, abscesses under his hooves, detoxing from steroids and, finally, that broken cannon bone in his leg that had been left untreated for months!

Freedom's Flight Before Rescue	Freedom's Flight After Rescue

The Florida Department of Agriculture immediately quarantined Freedom for five weeks to prevent the spread of the Strangles virus to other horses.  After his quarantine, Freedom was tested clear of the Strangles virus, and starting to recover from his other ailments.  Today Freedom is finally “free.”  Although he is still recovering at an undisclosed ranch in Florida, he is living with the dignity, care and love that all horses deserve.  Adopted by a South Florida SPCA board member, Freedom is a barn favorite for his beauty, his courage and his indomitable spirit.  Look for Freedom’s story soon on NBC News!  To help Freedom’s Flight and other horses in similar circumstances, please donate to the South Florida SPCA. 

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