If it weren't for a happy accident of providence, Peggy Sue wouldn't be alive today, much less about to make veterinary history. The American Quarter Horse filly became tangled in a fence when she was a mere two and a half months old, and lost her fetlock (the joint just about a horse's hoof) and left rear hoof.
Most owners would have had Peggy put to sleep, but, purely by chance, she encountered Kady Boe, a woman determined to give Peggy a second chance as one of a very few living equine amputees.
"I met Peggy went I took a boarder of
mine to go look at a horse," Kady told me via email. "When I saw the little filly running in the
field with 3 legs my heart was broken."
Ms. Boe was certain she could help Peggy Sue. She spoke to the filly's owner, and discovered that he had refused to euthanize Peggy because of her strong will to live. However, the owner wasn't sure what else to do, as there are very few options for horses with severe leg injuries.
When I left there I knew I needed to rescue her
and so I did some research," says Kay, "I found Dr. Vlahos who does [equine] amputations and
prosthetics. When I saw that, I knew that is what I needed to do, and I had
to get the filly to Wyoming."
Peggy made the trip, and coped well with early weaning in preparation for being left at Sheridan Equine Hospital for her surgery. As Ms. Boe waited anxiously at home for news, Dr. Vlahos performed surgery to prepare Peggy's left hind leg for the fitting of a prosthesis. When she did hear from the doctor, the news was good: Peggy Sue had not only survived her surgery and begun to recover, she'd even felt well enough to kick the veterinarian's wife!
Peggy's ordeal isn't over yet. She remains at the equine hospital, adjusting to a temporary prosthetic leg and waiting to have a permanent prosthetic custom-made, with a staggering price tag of $4,000.
I only
had the chance to be with her for 10days before I took her to Wyoming for her
surgeries back in October, so I miss her a great deal and cant wait to get her
home. I know in that 10 days I learned that even though Peggy was injured
she still deserved a chance that many would not give her," said Ms. Boe.
"She is an
amazing horse and I cant wait to travel down this journey with her. She
will be with me until she passes. I will have to change her prosthetic
everyday but other than that she will get turned out like the other horses and
live a great life."
Peggy Sue's medical expenses have been steep, and there are more to come. Kady hopes to convince 1,000 animal lovers to donate $4 to cover the cost of the permanent prosthetic leg. She's also selling scented soy candles with Peggy's picture for $13 plus shipping and handling.
Peggy is expected to adjust completely to life with a prosthetic leg, and although she'll never be ridden, she can even someday have a foal of her own.
Related:
Bionic Dog Gets $18,000 Prosthetic Leg
Maltese with No Front Legs Gets Front-End Wheelchair
Photos used with permission of Ms. Kady Boe
