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            Carmel    

(2004)

(click to enlarge pictures)

Carmel stumbled into the ring at the sale in October 2002. I had already watched several weanlings go to the slaughter buyer, and this unique looking little girl just had something special about her. I couldn't let her go too.

When I met the little weanling in the barn after having bought her, I reminded myself 100 times over why I should NEVER bid on a horse I've not looked over carefully first in the barn. Carmel had the worst upper respiratory infection our vet has ever seen, worm cysts breaking through her skin all over her body, a case of worm bloat so severe we literally thought she might be pregnant, and was a 3 on the Henke scale, ribby and dehydrated.

For the first time ever, our vet asked if I wanted to just put this one out of her misery. I wouldn't allow my daughters around her, and she was quarantined from all the other horses. while we watched to see if she would make it through the struggle ahead of her.

Amazingly, Carmel pulled through, getting stronger and brighter every day. In a few weeks, she was healthy and happy, and out playing with the rest of our family herd.

MAY 03 UPDATE: Neighbor dogs chased Carmel through the electric fence and up the road, where she fell on the black top. Both knees are torn to the bone. Thanks to the generosity of one of our sponsors, her medical bills are all paid, and she is healing, slowly. It will be a long time before we know if Carmel will ever be sound again.

October 03 Update: Carmel has been pastured at a nice foster home for the last month or two. They have just asked to adopt little Carmel, who has befriended their handicapped son. They understand she may never be ridable (the vet said we will know next year how her legs are), and want her simply to be a companion to their lovable boy, Michael. Congratulations Michael, and esp. Carmel, the little pony who just wouldn't give up.

Spring 2005 Update: Carmel is doing FANTASTIC with her new family. Dr King has given her a clean bill of health for her knees and back, and she has started her riding training. Mostly, though, Carmel spends her time with Michael, who is in and out of his wheelchair as his health dictates. She's such a happy little girl, as the photos above show!