07/28/2025
I’m not sure how to say this. I’m still trying to understand the reality of the situation, myself. We had to say goodbye to Franklin last evening. Our hearts are shattered. 💔
On Thursday, Dr. Burks performed a gastroscopy on Frankie to check for ulcers. During the procedure, not only did he find severe gastric ulcers, but a really high infestation of bot flies. Bot flies are a form of parasite. Adults lay their eggs on the horse’s legs, neck or face. Once the larvae hatch, they make their way to the horse’s mouth, where they bury themselves in the tongue and gums for a period of 28 days. After this phase, the larvae molt, migrate to the horse’s intestinal tract, attach themselves to the lining of the stomach and feed on bodily fluids for the next 9 to 12 months. Despite being wormed in early July when he first entered quarantine, Franklin still had an alarmingly high number of parasites in his system. Dr. Burks didn’t hesitate to worm Frankie again that very day with a drug specifically designed to target bot flies.
Friday afternoon we received a call from Dr. Burks. Franklin’s temperature had spiked to 102 °F. By evening, his temperature had climbed to a whopping 104.4 °F. They immediately transferred him to the ICU for treatment and observation. He was reluctant to eat, sweating and extremely unsteady on his feet.
Saturday morning, I went to visit Franklin in the ICU. I helped the doctor tube feed our boy. The mixture contained baking soda and clay to combat Frankie’s increasing acidosis as well as calories and nutrients to sustain his emaciated body. Our sweet gelding was feeling too under the weather to muster up an appetite. Once the procedure was over, I wrapped my arms around Franklin and held him close while fighting back tears. I spoke to him softly, letting him know he has an entire village cheering him on. A village he hadn’t met yet but who already loved him. He buried his head in my chest as if he understood the words I whispered.
Saturday evening, I received the worst call a horse caregiver could ever receive: Franklin was down in his stall and couldn’t get up, no matter how hard he tried. I sent out the call for help. I know I’ve talked before about how amazing our group of volunteers is, but last evening, that feeling was solidified. Without a second thought, the village I told Frankie about dropped everything they were doing and raced over to the vet clinic, determined to help him get to his feet.
Try as he might, even with the assistance of over a dozen people by his side, Franklin couldn’t overcome the years of neglect and abuse his body suffered. Shortly after 10:30 pm, Dr. Burks helped Frankie cross the Rainbow Bridge. Our gentle giant left this world surrounded by his village, finally knowing love.
I’m so upset Franklin never got to see the lush pastures at the Sanctuary. He never had the chance to experience a life of retirement, never had the luxury to just be a horse, choosing where and when to nap or frolic through the fields. I’m angry he spent every day as a beast of burden until he was too sick to work. My heart breaks for him. I know we did everything we could, yet I can’t stop feeling like he was short changed.
I’m grateful for each and every person who was involved with Franklin’s short time as part of the Sanctuary family. I’m so thankful for all of the prayers, well wishes and words of encouragement. If love, alone, could have healed Franklin’s physical ailments, I know he’d be coming home to the Sanctuary in a few weeks, meeting his brand new herd for the first time. Thank you, all, for believing in our mission to help those who need us the most. I’m sorry I don’t have better news to share. This is the part of rescue I hate more than anything. Thank you for sticking with us. Once we’ve had some time to grieve, we’ll be looking to save another lost soul in Franklin’s memory. 💔
