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ARRIVED December 2005
ADOPTABILITY ADOPTION IN PROCESS!!! Going home 1/9/09!
SPONSORED BY
  • feed sponsored (by his former owner, THANK YOU!!)
  • medical sponsor needed
BREED/AGE 17 year old 16+hh reg. Thoroughbred gelding (1991 model)

Key to the Rhin (Sherlock)

Summary: Sherlock is a big, sweet, gentle gelding whose an athlete at mind and at heart. He raced for a few years (winning a whopping $48!), and then was a show jumper for a long time. A bad placement made his life a mess for a while (costing him nearly 200 lbs and a nasty scar on his withers), but his former owner got him back and donated him to CWER.  Sherlock struggled for some time before coming fit again, but has been riding exceptionally and showing his incredible athleticism and even more amazing work ethic. 

His former mom states that the vets have recommended no significant jumping. When healthy, he was VERY capable fellow, who loved to show, excelled at lower levels dressage and hunter under saddle, and was a real joy to ride. Sadly, as with all athletes, the time has come for Sherlock to retire. Despite our best efforts, Sherlock's various joint issues have reached a point where he cannot consistently stay sound and be healthy to ride. On our vets advice, Sherlock is retired and seeking a retirement home where he can be a pasture companion and friend. He is VERY pasture sound and enjoys playing with the other geldings. He is full of life and a joy to be around, and deserves a wonderful place to live out the rest of his days comfortably.

March 2006 update, from the CWER email mailing list:

For those who haven't met him yet -- I know I know he's not on the website yet -- Sherlock is a fabulous ex racer with some brilliant bloodlines -- including Man O War -- closely related to our miss Factor. He was then a show jumper, a really strong athlete for a long time. And then life got in the way. His mom got married and went off to college, and sold Sherlock to what seemed like a great home. It didn't work out. She lent Sherlock to a nice family who could not afford to purchase him but were sure they could afford to keep him. Luckily, she didn't actually give over ownership, as that family could not afford to keep Sherlock either, and he came back to her a few months later, all his muscle lost, much of his weight gone, and his withers scarred from a mis-fitting saddle.
 
Concerned for what might happen to Sherlock next, his loving mom donated him to CWER, and has been volunteering at CWER at least one day per week since his arrival. She seems pleased with the way we've worked with the big guy until now, gradually and safely putting weight on him, pasturing him with Factor who exercises him regularly but doesn't run him to the point of hurting himself. We round pen work him nearly daily, gradually increasing the work load to help him get back in shape. Mike massages Sherlock's back several times a week, and we refused to put any weight on the big fellow until Dr King declared his back ready for it.
 
This Sunday Dr. King did a chiro adjust on Sherlock, and pronounced him ready to try to ride. "We won't know how much weight he can handle until you try. He may not be as ready as he seems, or he may be more fit than we can really tell until you try to work him. Just let him set the terms," Dr King advised.
 
The day after chiro is always a day of rest, so Monday was a day off for Sherlock. Tuesday morning he had  a regular round pen session, and seemed to move very nicely.
 
Tuesday evening, Sherlock did a brief round pen session with a saddle but no rider, making sure everything moved fluidly and that he wasn't cold backed at all. Then, with his former mom looking on and super-instructor Traci Giese supervising, AnnMarie was eased into the saddle by a leg up from Mike. And Sherlock's first ride at CWER began.
 
For the next 15-20 minutes, Sherlock was asked to do gradually more challenging work -- carrying himself in frame some at a walk, then some easy jogging with annmarie in a 2-point (jumping position), then, gradually, to more normal hunter work, with a nice solid trot, posting easily without having to carry her weight forward as his back was solid and fine. He was afraid things would hurt now and then, but he quickly realized nothing was going to hurt, and he had a fabulous time!!
 
Sherlock was a pure joy to ride. He's eager, forward, and so willing to please. I cannot wait for another ride on the big fellow tonight. and, even more so, I cannot wait for a few weeks away when the big guy comes into shape and we can put Mike on his back. it'll be mike's first ride on a big, light horse that is built and bred for speed....
 
What a great evening that was...
AnnMarie

================response from Sherlock's past mom:================================

I'm so glad you enjoy Sherlock so much!  AnnMarie, he did beautifully for you!  
 
(PS to everyone else, I'm Christina, Sherlock's mom for 10 years).  AnnMarie and Mike have done wonderfully with Sherlock!  He looks a hundred times better than when I took him from his former "home" where he lost almost 200 pounds!  Not a spook in him! (sometimes we had spooking issues when he was in too good shape and was bored)!  I knew he would respond well to both of you--you're so patient!  Thanks for giving him such a good home!
 
Christina

================another list post, March 12, 2006:================================

Sherlock was fantastic this weekend. This Saturday, we took Sherlock along to a small local indoor show we like to attend. It's a great little place, with an indoor for keeping warm and dry second to the actual indoor show arena. Sherlock was nervous getting into the trailer and on the trailer, and even more so getting off and then tacking up. In fact, tacking up, he even reared once! However, he wasn't unmanageable, just nervous. I found him to behave a lot like Factor on her first trip to this show -- his mind seemed to be in race mode. 

Unlike Factor, however, when we walked into the indoor arena, he surveyed the area, and I swear, you could hear him say, "Oh, horse show. Duh. I know how to do this." and my unruly 17hh thoroughbred was suddenly a big, quiet kitten. At home, he never holds still to be mounted. Here, he stood stock still, looking back at me like "is it time yet?" In the warm-up, he was a gentleman with the other horses, obviously familiar with this 20 horses doing 20 different things in one place scenario that was so upsetting to miss Factor. 

Time came for our first class. For some reason, the judge wasn't done pinning the class before us when we were asked to enter the arena, so 8 or so horses are standing in lineup in the center of the ring. I took Sherlock into the arena first, but the entire half lap we did, he kept insisting we were supposed to go join the others who were lined up! "This isn't right!" he seemed to scream. "I'm supposed to go stand over there and get a ribbon like they are!" Finally, I circled him around so he came in behind Sammie Joe. Then he seemed to decide that well, since his #2 woman is here on the rail walking like this is old hat, he should too. 

The rest of the ride was terrific. I'd even say brilliant for the big fellow. He did everything perfect. Our only weak point was after we did walk, then trot, then walk again the first direction, he anticipated the next instruction would be canter, and kept collecting deeper and deeper, until he finally had his nose past vertical. Eventually I managed to relax my seat and everything enough for him to decide to walk for us. Our reverse? A perfect 90 degrees of a turn on the haunches, a misstep that was my fault, then another 90 degrees, and a nice pause, fully collected and ready to roll, and we walked out, proud as punch. 

We lined up beautifully. I was careful to place him between 2 other horses - -at home we've been working on side passing, and my instruction to back sometimes results in a side pass instead. this way he knew back was the only way to go. and his back was magnificent! I was so proud!

But, the biggest high of the whole day by far -- the judge comes up after making her decisions and says, "He's come so far since I saw him last! I'm really impressed with his muscling and the work he's doing for you! He almost even looks BIGGER!" I smiled when I realized what she was saying, and responded... 

"Oh, no, you're thinking of Factor. This is this big guy's first show with us. In fact he's only been riding 2 or 3 weeks since coming to us."

She had mistaken this horse that had looked like a train wreck 3 months ago to be our well toned miss Factor!!!! HOW COOL IS THAT???? 

We placed 2nd in that class of 11, I think?

Later we rode the country pleasure class -- 13 horses. I chose to make his 'favorite gait' a slow trot, but in a 2 point to protect his back. It isn't yet strong enough for a long sitting trot, and my seat isn't light enough to pretend I'm sitting when I'm not. The arena was too full to have this big tb trotting out at his fullest, so this was my best compromise. It wasn't a class winning choice, but imho it was the right choice for Sherlock. I think we were 5th. 

After that, we rode the adult English walk/trot class. I joked with the judge as we entered that he can walk on a relaxed rein when he doesn't think it's time to canter, and we rode on into our class. Sherlock didn't take a single misstep this class. He counter bent a few times (didn't like where the barrel racing barrels were stored), but everything was right on. his transitions were balanced and pretty. His down transitions had forward movement into them, and we stopped with his hind end well under him. I watched him VERY carefully for his tell tale signs he was tiring, but the breaks had been enough for him and he was doing great. no sign of tiredness at all. 

When the class ended, I couldn't resist showing off his side pass to the lady riding the Tennessee walker next to me. he was fantastic! the whole day was great. 

We exited the arena, as they called the English canter class to the ring, with just one entrant. I'm really glad I didn't know earlier there was only one horse in that class. Sherlock and I have cantered together twice, and I would've been tempted to push it and enter him in that class. I'm glad I didn't take that chance, and risk overstressing his back. This big guy is something amazing. What a capable show horse we have on our hands here! He still has a lot of muscling to get back, and still more weight to gain, but he's doing terrific. We're so proud of him. He's done so well. What a great guy. 

===============

December 2006 update: I'm sorry its been so long since i updated Sherlock's page! Sherlock has had a long, hard summer culminating in the diagnosis of what's apparently been his key problem since arriving last year -- a severe urinary tract infection that had gone systemic and resulted in abscesses in his feet! He's been on antibiotics a few times for minor things, which apparently kept taking the edge off this bug, but not killing it. Finally, we got it diagnosed and after 60 days(!) of antibiotics, Sherlock's urine sample came through CLEAN!

Sherlock is now back to work and doing fabulously. He is 100% sound, and today did a 30+ minute workout, mostly walk/trot but even did a light straight line canter. We are going gradual to get him back into shape, ensuring he rebuilds his topline muscle now that he's sound again, making sure he doesn't have additional back issues as he comes back into tone. He's doing great, and carries himself in frame nearly all the time, on his own. He eagerly stretches down, long and low, from a lax rein, or comes right up into frame as soon as you 'pick him up'.

March 2007 update: Sherlock continues to do fabulously! He used to have issues about riding outside an arena, but now will ride easily a mile in either direction from our farm, not caring about cars, trucks or farm equipment, traffic or other noises. We're thrilled to see Sherlock relax and enjoy this lighter type of work, and happy to report he's now doing well at it. We have not attempted any formal trail rides in heavily wooded or water conditions, but believe that with a confident rider and a companion he trusts Sherlock would likely handle those sorts of circumstances fine.
June 2007 update: Sherlock has suffered a short term setback. When a potential adopter came to ride Sherlock, he got spooked, hurried backwards, and actually 'sat down' as the rider got off. He has upset his low back and particularly the muscles across his lower back. He is sound for ground work, and we are doing ground work to strengthen his muscles all around, but is not allowed to ride until at least early July. His next vet check will let us know how he is coming toward getting back to riding.
Mary 2008 update: Sherlock got to have a very enjoyable month, on loan as an upper level lesson horse in a Chicago dressage/hunter barn. Everyone raved over him and his abilities as a schoolmaster. He truly lets the instructor see his riders mistakes AND strengths. Unfortunately, Sherlock NEEDS daily turnout, ideally on grass or round bale, so he stays exercised and entertained. With the limited turnout, and being on drylot, Sherlock was pacing fences and getting himself worked up instead of rested and began losing weight. It was clear that the situation wasn't going to work for him long term, so he is back at CWER.
December 2008 -- RETIRED. It is with a heavy heart that we share the word that Sherlock is officially retired. Shortly after he returned from Chicago, we found that he had exacerbated what our vet believes had been a longstanding ulcer. We began treating his ulcer in October, and the medication made a huge difference for Sherlock -- he is calmer in a stall, eats quietly, finishes quickly, licks his bowl clean, and has gained weight steadily and safely.  Unfortunately, our other efforts to resolve his physical issues have not been as successful. When in a surcingle or saddle, Sherlock becomes significantly lame on his right front leg, with exceptional stiffness in his right knee. Our vet does chiro and acupuncture and we tried a variety of treatments to resolve what appeared to be a chiro issue at his sternum that would exaggerate a very mild stiffness that normally is apparent in his knee. He also remains "cinchy" or 'ribby' when tightening a girth and has recurring soreness in his withers, despite repeated treatments.

It is possible that if laid off all winter and if he received significant treatment in the future, he may return to work. However, in his 3 years here, Sherlock has not been able to remain consistently sound and it is agreed with his former owner, our vet, and our board that the best choice for Sherlock is retirement and an easy future.

January 2009 -- Sherlock has met his latest guardian angel, and will be going home to the Effingham IL area to retire with 2 other ex-racers and a pony gelding. We're exceptionally excited for Sherlock and for Laurie.

SPONSORSHIP: Sherlock's former owner provides his supplements and is planning to again start supporting his feed expenses, as well as visiting him at least once per week and providing us great help as a volunteer! She's shown in the top photo above, with Sherlock before he was at the 'home' that didn't work out. 

Sherlock also could really use a medical bills sponsor. Sherlock's summer '06 antibiotics alone cost over $300, and his 3 joint shots were $100 each (donated, thank you supporters!), plus the cost of the actual vet visits. His 2006 chiropractic bills ran roughly $1000 total. We wee thrilled that as of October 06 it appeared his health was finally on the right track. In September 2007 he choose to try to jump a wire fence, and slashed his left front pretty badly, requiring stitches, shots and overall about $250 in vet care. Since coming back from Chicago in May 2008, he has incurred $600 in medications for his ulcer, $500 in chiro and acupuncture care and more.

Your help in covering ANY of these expensive vet visits is most appreciated.

BLOODLINES: 

105 For Key To The Rhin 1991
On 27-Feb-06(C) Copyright 2006 Bloodstock Research Information Services, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

                                                      =Pharos (Gb) 20
                                         =Nearco (Ity) 35
                             *Nasrullah 40            =Nogara (Ity) 28
                                                      *Blenheim 2nd 27
                                         =Mumtaz Begum (Gb) 32
                   Bold Ruler 54                      =Mumtaz Mahal (Gb) 21
                                                      Display 23
                                         Discovery 31
                             Miss Disco 44            Ariadne 26
                                                      Pompey 23
                                         Outdone 36
          Key To The Kingdom                          Sweep Out 26
             (1970)                                   =Rose Prince (Fr) 19
                                         =Prince Rose (Gb) 28
                             *Princequillo 40         =Indolence (Gb) 20
                                                      *Papyrus 20
                                         *Cosquilla 33
                   Key Bridge 59                      =Quick Thought (Gb) 18
                                                      Man O' War 17
                                         War Admiral 34
                             Blue Banner 52           Brushup 29
                                                      Blue Larkspur 26
Key To The Rhin, Dkbbr, C                Risque Blue 41
   Foaled February 10, 1991                           Risque 28
      In Illinois                                     *Nasrullah 40
                                         =Princely Gift (Gb) 51
                             =Faberge 2nd (Fr) 61     =Blue Gem (Gb) 43
                                                      =Legend Of France (Fr) 35
                                         =Spring Offensive (Gb) 43
                   =Rheingold (Ire) 69                =Batika (Fr) 34
                                                      =Precipitation (Gb) 33
                                         =Supreme Court (Gb) 48
                             =Athene (Gb) 60          =Forecourt (Gb) 43
                                                      =Nearco (Ity) 35
                                         =Necelia (Gb) 49
          Pomme Du Rhin (Ire)                         =Cecily (Gb) 40
             (1980)                                   =Grey Sovereign (Gb) 48
                                         =Fortino (Fr) 59
                             Caro (Ire) 67            =Ranavalo (Fr) 54
                                                      =Chamossaire (Gb) 42
                                         =Chambord (Gb) 55
                   =Carose (Ire) 74                   =Life Hill (Fr) 40
                                                      =Marino (Fr) 56
                                         *Carvin 2nd 62
                             =Pomme Rose (Fr) 68      =Coraline (Fr) 57
                                                      =Antler (Fr) 49
                                         =Sentinelle (Fr) 63
                                                      =Savanne (Fr) 51



4SA X 5SC =NEARCO (ITY)
3SA X 5SC *NASRULLAH




Race Record:
          Race Record in North America
           1994     1     0     0     0           $48
          Totals    1     0     0     0           $48

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