Rumor Has It

Rumor, you may ask? No, this is true and one lucky mare by the name of Lovey became the recipient. She is a rescue mare that was brought in by the Humane Society Rescue Family in Arkansas. She was severely malnourished, sick and riddled with infections. She had one infection that had caused approximately 6 inches of her right front leg to fall off, she only weighed 650 pounds, more than 200 pounds under weight. She was nursed back to health and by some luck on Lovey’s side and knowing the right people on the rescuer’s side, a decision was made to make her the reciepient of the prosthetic leg. The surgery was done and deemed a success.

She is only now beginning to walk on the new leg and is somewhat tentative. The doctors and owners say it will take therapy, that she will have to realize that she has the leg and will not fall over when she puts weight on her right front. She had adapted to her life without a leg and was living life in a pasture without it, so she will have to re-learn how to walk on four legs.

I find this story full of promise, especially for the performance and race horses that have been put down after performance injuries. In the case of Eight Belles, this probably would not have been an option, because she had broken two front legs. But, just think of how many fine horses that could be saved with these prosthetics…the numbers are overwhelming? I have no idea how many horses are put down every year due to leg injuries and  leg disease? I know this could save many of them from euthanization. What I also know, is that I am only dreaming that this is an option when it comes to the high dollar horse industries, the horse that is no longer performing but has a good insurance policy. I am not going to go any further with this part of the story, you know what I mean, and besides this is a “feel good” story…I forgot.

So, Lovey, we wish you the best of luck. Run free in green pastures, toss your head, whiny at your neighbor, and live up to your name, love those people that have given you the gift of a full and happy life.

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