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Penny's
for Ponies
Penny
was a smiley,
happy, butterball
Welch pony.
She never met
a person, child
or treat she
didn't love.
Penny was rescued
in 2004 from
a family that
could not afford
to care for
her chronically
foundered feet
also known as
Laminitis. It
is not known
how long she
had been foundered
when we received
her at the practice,
but likely her
entire life.
Her feet were
deformed and
she walked awkwardly,
putting her
weight onto her
back feet with
her front feet
floating in
front of her.
She was brought
to the clinic
and treatment
began which
included special
hand made shoes
and careful
examination
of foot radiographs.
Her condition
was serious
enough to require
that her tendons
be cut to release
the pressure
on her coffin
bones in her
feet. The surgery
went very well
and within a
few weeks Penny
was out running
around the clinic
area pain free
and determined
to get into
everything. She
became the mascot
at the clinic.
Penny loved
to follow people
around, picking
pockets, resting
her head on
shoulders,
and helping
cheer up patients
in the clinic.
It wasn’t long before we all realized that Penny wasn’t a patient anymore, but indeed a part of the Georgetown Equine Hospital
staff. Penny greeted clients as they pulled up in their trailers, inspected the grounds and picked the best grooming tools
for the staff to use. She became a Houdini at finding the bucket of hidden treats and was great at stealing lunches.
But what was always amazing was that with each set back that would come with the chronic founder she never once complained.
She endured time consuming and painful attempts to build her new more comfortable shoes or splints. All the latest
techniques available to veterinarians and farriers for founder were used. A new shoe designed specifically for Penny was
even designed and applied.
For three years we were successful at keeping Penny happy and comfortable. Unfortunately in 2007 she began to take a turn
for the worse. Her scarred tendons began to contract and sink into her feet. The unfortunate thing with founder (laminitis)
is that it can take life threatening turns for no apparent reason. We all saw this happen with the famous racehorse Barbaro.
Unfortunately, the amount of money and time spent is not always enough to save even the best of horses. She continued in a
downward spiral and we were faced with the agonizing decision to put Penny to sleep. Even up until her death she tried her
best to let us help her. She was brave and was always happy as we tried treatment after treatment. She could have been mean
and nasty with all the pain she endured throughout her life, but she was the opposite, always sweet, affectionate and happy.
The decision to put her to sleep was made even more difficult because of her cheerful personality. We all loved Penny. She
was a special pony and she epitomized the animals that we would like to help and save in the future.
Penny’s for Ponies is a charitable organization set up to help financially provide care to those animals that desperately
need care, but do not have owners who can provide such care. Many animals can be saved and then go on to very productive
lives and careers if quality care is provided.
If you would like to get involved in any way please contact the clinic. There are lots of ways you can help such as:
joining one of support categories, fostering an animal ready for adoption, adopting an animal, donating items and much,
much more. To see photos of some of our current and past patients please see the link below.
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