Kohan

Horse Details

Height

16.2hh

Colour

Golden Bay

Age

7 years

Sex

Gelding

Status

Future Rehoming Candidate

Rider Level

Intermediate to Experienced (High-energy, active mind requiring purposeful work and consistent guidance).

Identification

Registered Name

Veneno (NZ)

Date of Birth

2018-11-29

Microchip Number

985125000112397

Disciplines

• Pleasure Riding
• Cross Country & Trail Hacking
• Groundwork & Agility
• Active Partnership

Kohan - The Horse Who Refused to Give Up

Kohan arrived at Hawkez Haven straight off the racetrack.

At just seven years old, he was a young Thoroughbred who needed schooling, manners, and someone to teach him that life didn't always have to happen at one hundred miles an hour.

Because Kohan only knew one speed.

Fast.

Life on the track had taught him to always be on the go. He didn't understand what "slow down" meant. In his mind, every moment needed to be filled with movement, excitement, and enough energy to power an entire paddock.

To put it simply, Kohan had a highly active mind.

And we say that with nothing but love.

The potential was there from the very beginning. After someone at Hawkez Haven climbed aboard him for the first time, we could all see it. Kohan just needed to quiet the noise in his own head and learn that life could be enjoyed rather than raced through.

Not long after arriving, however, Kohan became severely lame in his front foot.

We quickly discovered a significant case of thrush — something thrush is incredibly good at doing. It festers silently beneath the surface, often going unnoticed until the damage has already been done.

His shoes came off immediately, and we got to work. He spent his days grazing outside our front door while receiving minerals, natural remedies, and all the care we could provide. Remarkably, within a week, Kohan was walking comfortably again.

And just like that, his personality began to shine.

He became a little quieter.

A little less reactive.

And despite his overactive mind, he trusted us from the very beginning.

Fixing his feet? No problem.

Standing quietly for treatment? Easy.

Making sure nobody at Hawkez Haven had a moment's peace once he felt better?

That became his specialty.

As soon as Kohan returned to full health, he and his best mate Rip could often be found tearing around the paddocks together, causing chaos and encouraging everyone else to join in.

Because apparently peace and quiet are highly overrated.

It soon became obvious that Kohan needed a home that could offer him more than we could. He needed someone to ride him regularly, take him out on adventures, tackle cross-country courses, and enjoy everything life has to offer alongside a horse with a heart as big as his personality.

Then, everything changed.

One of the grazing paddocks we leased turned out to be anything but a place of rest. Hidden beneath the ground was a fence that had slowly worked its way to the surface.

Kohan found it.

And it changed his life.

After breaking through a taped fence, Kohan suffered a cut to his hind leg that developed into cellulitis and a severe infection. The swelling became extreme, and despite our efforts, his leg grew to the size of a tree trunk.

The prognosis wasn't good.

Veterinarians warned us that recovery would be long, expensive, and uncertain. We were told that many horses never truly recover from injuries like this and that, even if he survived, he may never live a normal life again.

The advice was always the same.

"It might be kinder to let him go."

We understood where people were coming from.

And as the weeks passed, Kohan became increasingly unwell. He lost weight at an alarming rate, stopped eating properly, and seemed to lose the spark that had once defined him.

For the first time since arriving at Hawkez Haven, Kohan looked tired.

He looked done and ready.

And with broken hearts, we made the hardest decision we've ever had to make.

We arranged for his final goodbye.

Pain relief and anti-inflammatories kept him comfortable while we prepared ourselves to let him go. Then, on the morning it was supposed to happen, everything changed.

A message arrived.

Along with a photograph.

And a video.

Kohan was standing in the paddock eating his breakfast.

The swelling had dramatically reduced, and he was walking as though he hadn't been fighting for his life only days before.

To this day, we cannot explain it.

We canceled everything.

Because Kohan wasn't finished.

Back at Hawkez Haven, we continued working tirelessly with him morning and night. Slowly, the swelling disappeared. The infection healed. The weight returned.

And eventually, Kohan became Kohan again.

Today, he gallops around the paddock with his usual enthusiasm and carries himself with the same spunky attitude he has always had. The horse we thought we were saying goodbye to now stands before us healthier than ever.

Will Kohan become an Olympian?

Probably not.

But somewhere out there is a person whose life is going to change because of him.

Kohan is a warrior.

He is a fighter.

And he has never once given up, no matter what the odds have been.

He has a huge personality, an even bigger heart, and one day, one very lucky human will continue writing the rest of his story alongside him.

Because Kohan is proof that sometimes, when the world says it's time to let go, a horse quietly says:

"Not today."

And if we've learned anything from Kohan, it's this:

Never underestimate a Thoroughbred with a high-intensity mind, enormous determination, and a reason to keep living.

Care, Health & Well-being:

• Leg & Soundness: Cellulitis injury fully recovered and sound; benefits from active turnout and regular exercise.

• Hoof Management: Front feet managed bare and healthy with balanced trimming and mineral support.

• Energy & Activity: Requires an engaged, active partner who channels his quick mind into trail riding, cross-country, and groundwork.

Looking Forward

Kohan is a future rehoming candidate, but there is no rush. Following his significant injury and recovery, he is being given time to physically and mentally readjust, rebuild confidence and gradually return to appropriate work. As he progresses, we will assess what type of riding life best suits him.