34 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Carolyn Sanders
I
t had been a long day at work, the kids were in bed and
I finally had time to go online. First thing I did was check
my emails only to find many Facebook messages about
a small pony that looked like it needed help in Kentucky - this
was just the beginning of the story.
Minnie and Mouse would forever change Sand Stone Farm’s
Rescue Effort (my horse and pony rescue) and truly show
what a group of people who care, share and donate can do to
change the lives of neglected animals, equines in our case. The
Craigslist ad that drew so much attention was that of a skinny
pony like “thing.” The photo was distant, making it truly hard
to see but easy enough to know this baby needed immediate
rescuing. I called the person’s number listed and a rough
sounding man answered my call at 11 pm. He said she was
still for sale and that she had a friend (another pony) – I said
without a doubt we would take both. When I hung up the phone
I thought, “A friend, wow, I hope it’s in better shape then she is!”
Coincidently, I had an old friend, Kim in Kentucky, who was
coming to Michigan within a day and she happily volunteered
to transport them. On pick-up day Kim arrived and handed
over $200 to the creepy man and he produced two walking
skeletons in the McDonalds parking lot he insisted they meet
in. Minnie was so weak she could barely stand or walk, while
Mouse was a tad stronger, thankfully. Kim chose to drive
two-thirds of the six-hour trip and then lay over at a friend’s
farm. She didn’t think Minnie was going to make it. She
administered supplements, per our vet’s instructions, to help
rejuvenate them the best she could before continuing on the
next morning to Michigan.
Minnie and Mouse Arrive
On July 4, 2011 they arrived at the farm and were given the
names Minnie and Mouse. One of my vet’s, Dr. Sue Bonino,
DVM, was at the scene upon their arrival. They were examined
closely and both aged around two. They were extremely thin with
body scores of .5 for Minnie and 1 for Mouse. Body score is a way
to rate an animal’s overall body. Blood was immediately drawn
and IV medications and fuids started. They had severely depleted
immune systems, an undiagnosed upper respiratory condition
and Minnie was covered in sores likely from being on the ground
and struggling to get up. Mouse was stronger and Minnie’s wing
woman. She was glued to her side and we all felt this kept Minnie
alive and fghting.
It took thousands of dollars, many vets from all over the United
States, a great farrier, Aaron Engler, CF and volunteers round
the clock in the frst 30 days to get Minnie and Mouse stable.
Additionally, we had to help Minnie rise every two hours to avoid
organ failure and more sores. Feedings, medications and vitals all
had to be closely monitored each day for the next several months.
Slowly but surely these girls started turning around. On day 30
Minnie proved she could stand by herself; by day 60 they both
were outside all day; by day 90 they started to look like real horses
and there was hope in their eyes and ours.
There were good and bad days and on occasion new issues
would surface. One sunny morning around day 60 Minnie
developed a limp, which I was very concerned about. During
malnourishment anything inside the body can go wrong as it’s
used to feeding off itself. It takes many months to a year for their
bodies both physically and mentally to adjust to feed after severe
malnourishment. My vet, Dr. Moore, DVM, took some x-rays and
found Minnie to have arthritis in her hock joints, similar to what
e
My Story
The Fairy Tail Comes True for
Minnie & Mouse
Mouse now – just as fat, healthy and happy as her friend
Minnie.
Photo by Rochelle Marie Photography
Minnie now – fat, healthy and happy.
Photo by Rochelle Marie Photography