PURINA MILLS ANNOUNCES GRAND PRIZE WINNER IN ON-LINE SENIOR HORSE CONTEST

“Elzic’s Farewell” trots off with top honors as America’s most storied senior horse.

ST. LOUIS - Dr. Suzanne Alexander, D.V.M. describes her 36 year-old Arabian-Quarter Horse mix, Elzic, as an intelligent, curious, mischievous, comical, trustworthy, loving, rambunctious, quirky, daredevil of a horse, with a dash of mountain goat in his heart. She can now add “champion” to the list of adjectives describing her once-in-a-lifetime horse. Today, officials for Purina Mills Equine Senior horse feed named Dr. Alexander and her horse Elzic as the winners of their Senior Horse Tales competition. Held in conjunction with Primedia’s equisearch.com, the competition invited senior horse owners to post stories about their older horses, along with photos. “I’m so happy that Elzic’s story and wonderful life were actually recognized,” commented Dr. Alexander.

“I truly believe he deserves the honor. He had been fed only Purina Mills Equine Senior and good quality hay for at least 15 years. And since 2001, Equine Senior was his sole source of nutrition--to the tune of 20-24 pounds a day-- because he could no longer chew hay. His body condition stayed fantastic, his coat was beautiful. I believe he was THE example of just how powerful the effect of excellent nutrition can be on the care and well-being for elderly horses,” she added. “Elzic’s story was a great example of how much older horses become part of the family,” said Rob Echele, Purina Mills Marketing Manager. “This horse was involved in every part of Suzanne’s life, from childhood, through school, in the military, through veterinary school, truly through every part of family life at every level. It really is the ultimate senior horse tale.” According to Dr. Alexander, Elzic entered her family’s lives as a feisty two year-old in 1973. Alexander’s father, Chuck, who had never ridden a horse, purchased the colt, who had never been ridden. A lifelong love affair between a family and a horse was born. Elzic “took to riding” and in time became an expert at trail riding, “fearlessly following paths that would scare a mountain goat.” The horse became young Suzanne’s constant companion, traveling with her from state-to-state, participating in the important events of her life.

The story of Elzic, as posted for the contest follows:

My father bought Elzic’s Farewell as an essentially wild half-Arab/QH 2-yo from a junkyard in Southern CA in 1973. My dad was a banjo player and Elzic is named after his favorite old folk song. As a first-time horse owner, he and my dad had some "interesting" initial experiences. Over the years, Elzic evolved into the most phenomenal character - he has a very strong comical streak. My dad and I both rode him extensively on trails and in the occasional endurance race. Elzic has seen much of the US including "serious" backcountry mountain use in CA, NM, AZ, WY, and MT. Elzic was always 100% reliable when taking us places we just weren't meant to go on horseback. Elzic eagerly sought trails that only the mountain goats used. Just give him his head, don't mess with his balance, and he would get you there - safely every time. Over the years, as Elzic transitioned from dark gray to his now white color, he became much more "my" horse but Dad still took care of him when I was shipped to Japan when I was in the Army in the mid 90's. At this point, Elzic started working on the next generation of "horse crazy girls" - gleefully racing kids up and down the dirt roads of my dad’s home in Pinos Altos, NM. My dad passed away in 1998 and Elzic is my last beloved tie to my dad and to my childhood.

Even though I have/had other horses over the years, Elzic is truly "one-of-a-kind" and will be irreplaceable when his time comes. He has been fed Purina Equine Senior for over 10 years and it has been his exclusive diet for the past 3 years (24-lbs per day) since he can’t chew hay anymore. He is on daily medication to manage his Cushing’s Syndrome and has a wonderful farrier to keep him sound with his chronic laminitis. Overall, with a dedicated team of University of IL veterinarians, his farrier, our feed dealer, and barn friends who love him, Elzic is in excellent weight and spirits. Sadly, as the contest neared its end, Dr. Alexander was forced to make the decision to euthanize Elzic. Approaching his forties, the older horse’s Cushing’s Disease had advanced and Dr. Alexander wanted him to “go out” before he started to suffer. In a final tribute to her father, her horse and her love of family, Dr. Alexander had Elzic put down on her father’s birthday. “I held his head as he slumped down and passed very quickly and very quietly,” said a sad and sentimental Dr. Alexander. Elzic’s ashes will be scattered over Alexander’s father’s grave in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico.