Sometimes the most unexpected partnerships create the most meaningful stories. For 13-year-old Paint/Quarter Horse cross “Gimmie A Chance,” a diagnosis of fetlock arthritis could have marked the end of his competitive journey. Instead, a single treatment with Arthramid not only restored his soundness, it gave him the future he deserved.
Chance’s story began in a Pennsylvania kill pen, where he was rescued as an emaciated 8-year-old by Talia Czapski. “He was so skinny, with hooves in terrible shape and green snot pouring from his nose,” she recalled. “But he had these big, wide eyes. I just knew his story wasn’t over.”
After months of rehabilitation, Chance found his perfect match in 8-year-old Ryleigh Schofield. Though initially “spicier than expected,” Chance formed a deep bond with Ryleigh, and together they rose through the ranks to compete at Training level eventing, a remarkable feat for a barely 15-hand gelding.
But Chance’s past had left its mark. He was diagnosed with Kissing Spine and experienced founder, likely linked to his earlier starvation. His complex medical history ruled out corticosteroids, so his care team turned to bisphosphonates (Osphos) and Previcox to manage his joint health. These treatments helped him stay comfortable and competitive for years.
As Ryleigh and Chance prepared to move up in competition, their veterinarian, Dr. Stephanie Wilkinson of Piedmont Equine, conducted a baseline lameness exam. Though Chance appeared sound at the trot, flexion tests and radiographs revealed advanced osteoarthritis in his fetlock joint (more severe than expected for a horse still performing at such a high level).
Initially, the team opted for platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which maintained his performance for about six months. But when his condition suddenly worsened, progressing to Grade 4/5 lameness, it was clear a new approach was needed.
That’s when Dr. Wilkinson recommended Arthramid, a treatment that, while sometimes considered after other options, is increasingly recognized as a proactive and effective choice for managing joint disease. Given Chance’s history and the limitations of other therapies, Arthramid wasn’t a last resort, it was the logical next step.
“We were hoping to keep him pasture sound,” said Hannah Schofield, Ryleigh’s mother and owner of Milestone Sporthorses. “But what happened next was beyond anything we expected.”
Within a week of treatment, Chance’s lameness improved dramatically, from Grade 4/5 to Grade 1. “Dr. Wilkinson had said it might take a few weeks, but he responded almost immediately,” Hannah said.
With careful rehabilitation, Chance returned to work, starting with flatwork and eventually jumping again. Prioritising his long-term joint health, the Schofields transitioned him to Ryleigh’s younger sister, 10-year-old Frankie, who is now forging her own bond with the remarkable gelding. Their partnership is already off to a winning start, including a victory at their first jumper show.
As Ryleigh once said, “The ugliest cake can be the best cake you’ve ever eaten.” Chance may not have looked like much at first, but with the right care (and the right treatments) he’s proven that greatness often comes in unexpected packages.
