01/08/2026
Thanks for the help, Church! If you’re going to “wash” the dishes, you’ll have to help dry them too!
***Church has a very strict diet. Don’t worry — all the dishes he’s “helping” clean were thoroughly rinsed first, so there was no leftover food that could be harmful for him.***
About Church
Church is a 14-year-old Quarter Horse who came to Bearfoot Ranch in need of help rehabilitating his feet and stabilizing symptoms of Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP). He was originally purchased as a barrel racing prospect because of his impressive muscular build, athletic ability, and striking good looks. Sadly, once he was diagnosed with HYPP, it became clear that he could no longer work safely in that environment.
HYPP is a genetic disease, most commonly seen in Quarter Horses, that causes muscle weakness, tremors, and episodes of paralysis. Symptoms can include muscle twitching, weakness, seizures, and in severe cases can lead to heart failure, stroke, or even death. While Church’s HYPP symptoms are now carefully managed, they require lifelong monitoring and medication. Our staff and volunteers are trained to recognize the signs of an episode and to administer life-saving medication when needed.
Because of irresponsible breeding practices, Church must live with this genetic condition for the rest of his life, along with unpredictable and painful episodes. We feel truly blessed to be able to provide him with the care and safety he deserves. Church came to Bearfoot Ranch for a reason, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to help him live a comfortable and peaceful life.
In addition to HYPP, Church faced another serious challenge. Last year, after experiencing multiple painful lameness episodes, radiographs confirmed coffin bone osteomyelitis, a severe infection of the coffin bone in his hoof. Despite three weeks of aggressive antibiotic treatment, the infection continued to worsen and surgery became his only option. Without it, the infection would have spread, and his prognosis would have been grim, no hoof, no horse.
Thanks to your generous donations, Church was able to undergo surgery to remove the infected bone and affected soft tissue. One year later, his hoof is still healing, and we are hopeful that the surgical opening will fully close by spring. His recovery requires intensive, time-consuming critical care, but Church is absolutely worth it.
Gentle, kind, and endlessly patient, Church has captured our hearts. With your continued support, his future will be one of comfort and peace, spending his days as a beloved pasture companion at Bearfoot Ranch, living out his best life surrounded by care and love.
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