Emmeline
Emmeline is a 5 year old miniature/pony cross mare who stands about 40" tall. Her story is an unusual one and her journey with us has been a learning experience for us all. It began when we brought her to us in October 2025.
Emmie was purchased by her former owner at 4 months old from a breeder with the intention of training her as a service animal to assist the owner with her special needs due to mental illness and an autoimmune disorder. She was kept as a house pet in the home with no barn or turnout area offered. Reportedly, she relieved herself on a tarp and pine shavings in the corner of a room. She slept on the hardwood floor and area rug. She was fed bagged, chopped forage in a slow feeder, with whole oats as a ration. She was only taken outside for short walks in the yard. There was no veterinary or farrier care provided for the last 2-3 years. All these circumstances, combined with a very young horse's growing body, caused irreparable damage to her hooves, legs and joints. At the time we brought her in, she could only stand for about an hour, after which she would lie down flat. She could not fold her legs under her to lay on her chest. Her whole body was so sore that petting her would cause her to snap at the hands touching her. She had pressure sores on her hips and shoulders from laying down so long.
Her recovery started with removing the excessively long hooves. This was done in partnership with our vet and farrier. She was put under anesthesia and laid down so the hooves could be efficiently cut off with an electric sawzall. X rays showed that there is about 10% loss of all four coffin bones, from the lack of care an inability to wear down the hooves naturally. A plan of long term pain management and corrective trims was put in place and we hoped we could do enough to give her a good quality of life after recovery. The following year would be spent reaching small milestones and gaining confidence that this brave little horse could be happy and successful living in her own way, even if she wasn't as perfect as other ponies may be.
Emmeline is now a sassy, opinionated girl, as she should be! She is able to be trimmed without sedation on a 6 week schedule, but will need a farrier skilled in corrective trimming to continue the work that has been done so far. She may always need corrective trimming, as her body moves differently and puts uneven pressure on her hooves. She is currently taking 5 tylenol tablets twice a day for her body pain. This manages the aches and allows her to walk comfortably and have short bursts of trot, canter and even some bucks! She has learned the socialization with other horses and really enjoys the company of a friend or two. She has only been allowed turnout with miniatures and no one who will push her to run if she does not choose to do so. She loves scratching backs and sharing a hay pile with another mini and would be lonely if she had no companionship. Emmie is very friendly with people and is basically bombproof, since she grew up inside a house. Nothing frightens her, she is great with other animals as well as small children. She would enjoy a role in therapy, or just to be a family pet. Emmie will never be completely sound and should never be expected to ride or drive. Parting with her will not be easy, she currently lives in a foster home that has devoted almost a year of care and love to her needs, but she deserves a family of her own and we know it is waiting for her. If you think she would fit into your home, submit an application and plan a visit to meet her!
ADOPTION FEE: $350
