Major Hurdle Coming Up For Kip Deville

Kip Deville, who has been battling laminitis at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington, will have to pass a critical stage in the next two weeks if he is to have much chance of surviving.

“They continue to do everything possible, and the next hurdle will be in the next two weeks once he is due to be re-shod,” said IEAH president Michael Iavarone. “We need to see him grow some foot. Without the growth of foot we are going to be in a difficult position.”

The 6-year-old son of Kipling has an inflammation of the hoof that in many cases proves fatal. The horse was sent to Rood and Riddle, where he has been cared for by Dr. Scott Hopper. He had come down with a case of colic several months ago, but the problem managed to work its way down into the left front foot, which brought on the laminitis.

Bred in Oklahoma by Center Hills Farm, Kip Deville was purchased by a group led by IEAH in June 2006. His key win came in the the 2007 NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Monmouth Park.