Peace of Mind When It Mattered Most
Luke's Colic Surgery Story
From the very first ride, four-time U.S. Olympian Boyd Martin knew he had found an exceptional athlete in Luke 140. The relatively unassuming-looking bay gelding was talented, brave, unbelievably athletic, and maybe just a little bit wild and opinionated.
"He's probably never gone a day without having a spook and a rear and a spin around," Boyd said with a laugh. "But in exchange, he's an unbelievable competitor."
Meet Luke 140
- Breed: Holsteiner gelding
- Age: 11
- Breeding: Landos x Omega VI
- Rider: Four-time U.S. Olympian and Team SmartPak Rider Boyd Martin
- Owners: The Luke 140 Syndicate
- Career Highlights: Tokyo Olympic mount and top-10 finisher at the Kentucky Three-Day Event
Known for his bold cross-country performances and incredible jumping ability, Luke has become one of Boyd's top international event rides, and certainly one of the fan-favorites of his talented string of horses. Together, the pair have represented the United States at the highest levels of the sport, earning top finishes at prestigious five-star events and overcoming setbacks that would have ended many horses' careers.
But nothing prepares a rider, even Boyd Martin, for the phone call he received on Christmas Eve.
When Everything Changed
Boyd wasn't at the barn when Luke suddenly became ill. Instead, he got a call from his wife, Silva.
"He's really, really sick."
There wasn't any room for hesitation. There wasn't any time. Luke was immediately loaded onto the trailer and rushed to New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania. Within minutes of arriving, the veterinary team had delivered news no horse owner ever wants to hear.
"They rang me up and said, 'Listen, Boyd, we need to do surgery straight away.'"
After decades of producing upper-level event horses, Boyd had never faced a colic surgery before.
"I honestly haven't had any colic surgeries in all the years and years of having event horses. I remember thinking, 'Colic surgery? Are you sure?'"
The answer was yes.
Fighting for Luke
The surgery was successful, and sighs of relief were shared all around. But the road ahead would be anything but easy, a challenge worth rising to for a horse as spirited and beloved as Luke 140.
Despite consistent, meticulous care, Luke developed complications with his incision, battled infection, and remained hospitalized for weeks while his veterinary team worked tirelessly to help him recover.
"They told me it was the closest I've ever had a horse to dying” Boyd said, “and he still lived."
For Boyd and his team, the following months became a lesson in patience. There would be no rushing back to competition for Luke. No sudden reemergence back to the top of the sport. No shortcuts. Now, the only thing they had was time.
Recovery looked a lot less like jump schools and gallop sets, and a lot more like hand walking, hacking, carefully rebuilding strength, allowing his incision to heal, and giving Luke every opportunity to recover fully before asking him to return to training.
Today, Luke is back in full work, and Boyd is once again dreaming about competing at another CCI5*-L.
Peace of Mind When It Matters Most
While Luke's health was everyone's first concern, Boyd also knew that emergency colic surgery can quickly become one of the most expensive medical emergencies horse owners ever face. Fortunately, Luke has been enrolled in SmartPak's ColiCare® program for years.
"There was a huge peace of mind knowing that if something, God forbid, happens with colic, SmartPak’s ColiCare Program is going to back your horse if they need surgery."
Luke's daily SmartPak supplements contain, SmartPerform® Ultra Pellets, a ColiCare-eligible product when fed in SmartPaks. He also met the annual wellness care requirement. Because of that preparation and consistent care, Luke received a $15,000 reimbursement to help offset the cost of his surgery.
For an eligible horse and a willing owner, the reimbursement of ColiCare was designed to help make surgery feel like a viable option by removing the barrier of financial burden.
The free program combines daily hindgut support through eligible SmartPak supplements with routine preventive veterinary care to help support digestive health while providing up to $15,000 in colic surgery reimbursement if the unexpected happens.
ColiCare Enrollment is Simple
- Feed a ColiCare-eligible supplement in SmartPaks.
- Complete a quick enrollment application.
- Keep up with your horse's annual wellness care, including physical exams, dental care, vaccinations, and a parasite control program.
As one of the most affordable options available, with supplements starting at just around $1.50 per day, ColiCare is designed to work for horses of every kind and budgets of every size. There are no enrollment fees, no upper age limit for horses, and ColiCare can even be used alongside many equine insurance policies, giving owners another layer of financial protection when it matters most.
Looking Toward the Future
Luke's story doesn't end with colic surgery, in fact, it's still being written. That's thanks in no small part to the resilience of his team and his own strength of spirit. It's also due to his excellent veterinary team, the entire Windurra Team, and everyone who was willing to let him take his recovery one day at a time.
For Boyd, Silva, and Steph, the goal was never to get Luke back to the top level of eventing. The goal was first to see him survive. Then to get him home. Then to give him every opportunity to enjoy life again. But now, their goals can go further and they can dare to dream a little bigger again.
As Luke continues his comeback, Boyd hopes their experience encourages other horse owners to prepare for emergencies before they happen.
"Colic surgery is something none of us ever expect," Boyd says. "Having that peace of mind made a huge difference for us."
When your horse is counting on you, it's comforting to know someone has your back, too.
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