AGE: February 13, 2022

BREEDING: Twirling Candy - Sweet Aloha, by Western Cat

RACING STATS: Did not race

SEX: Gelding

HEIGHT: 16.1 hh

ABOUT: Tropical Candy came to Akindale in the fall of 2025 after it was determined that he would be best suited for a life of retirement.

Originally, Tropical Candy retired to ReRun with the hope of beginning a second career as a riding horse. However, during his retraining, he consistently struggled with cross-firing behind. It was later discovered that he had also experienced this issue during his race training.

Further veterinary evaluations, including X-rays of his back, revealed that Tropical Candy had kissing spine.

At Akindale, we are cautious about retiring horses solely because of a kissing spine diagnosis. The condition is commonly identified on X-rays, and many horses can continue successful riding careers with appropriate management. We believe it is important to evaluate the individual horse rather than make decisions based on imaging alone.

In Tropical Candy's case, however, his consistent movement difficulties and clinical symptoms indicated that he was experiencing significant discomfort. Rather than asking him to continue in a riding career that could cause him pain, the decision was made that permanent retirement would be in his best interest.

Today, Tropical Candy has a home in our sanctuary, where he can enjoy life without the physical demands of training or riding. While his second career may not have turned out as originally planned, he has found something just as important at Akindale, a safe place to spend the rest of his life.