[alittlegray]

Thank you all, lovely COTHers! I am so grateful for the encouraging messages and offers to take in this wonderful pony. So many of you have lovely farms and even lovelier hearts, I can't believe it.

Charlie will be staying here in Virginia close enough for us to check in on him and DD to visit him once or twice. He has gone to a lovely facility where he will be given as much time as he needs to completely recover.

The COTHer who took him home was lovely enough to go out of her way to come to VCU medical center and meet with me in person. I was re-admitted to the hospital and then transferred here to VCU last Sunday morning and it was the only way for ME to meet her in person since they know they won't be releasing me until late next week at the earliest. She spent the rest of her day overcoming obstacles to meet DH and DD at the farm to pick pony up and bring him to his new home, and she was kind enough to wait on some of his documents for a couple days until I could get them emailed to her from the vet.

I am sure she will post here and let you all know who she is, and I hope she knows how thankful I am that she was able to pick him up on fairly short approval/notice so we could have that worry lifted from our shoulders.

I love COTH folks, and again I thank every single person who offered to take pony in, especially the ones who didn't even want a pony but were willing to keep him until our situation improved.

I know I am gushing because I am all doped up on pain meds, but you all really rock!

[horsechick]

Do you have any video or pictures you can share? I may have an idea for him, but it would help if I could show the mom some pictures or video...

[cheektwocheek]

ALG you have been so thoughtful of others on this board. I have hope that things will turn your way, very soon. Keep your head up & concentrate on getting better. Hopefully pony will land in that perfect home.

[Laurierace]

Best of luck with your search for a new home, you were so kind during my search I wish I could return the favor. My mare's story had an incredibly happy ending, hopefully yours will as well. Your daughter is a great kid, I am not the slightest bit surprised she is handling this so well. She is also a lovely rider, hopefully there will be some riding opportunities coming her way.

[hundredacres]

ALG, I'm so sad for your situation but so touched by what a wonderful mother you obviously are - your daughter is a reflection of that. I wish I could help out in some way. JIngles, healing energy and prayers from Indiana. (((((hug)))))

[Mayaty02]

This is heartbreaking ALG and I completely understand as I am always feeling a heartbeat away from your situation. I will speak to our trainer, I don't think we can add a pony to the farm, but will ask around for sure.

[alittlegray]

Thank you all for the kind words, this time has been harder than I ever imagined anything could be. I don't usually share personal stuff on message boards, but I want this pony to get another chance with someone who has time to let him go be a horse for a few months and see what they have.

Horsechick, I will PM you.

[aspenlucas]

Can you PM or email me info as well? Any pictures or video? We are in PA and I'm looking for something for the future for my 8 year old daughter who is a gutsy but quiet little rider. I also could have a plan in place for him if he just needed to do up down light walk/trot lessons. We most recently adopted a 30 year old arab mare that needed just that and we will keep her here til her days are over. We have a 10.3 acre farm with a brand new barn. Maria@frostyoaks.com

[KnKShowmom]

I am sorry you are having hard times - hope things get better soon!

I have seen your lovely pony go at Culpeper and wish I had room to take him but have forwarded the info to someone who might be able to help.

[Laurierace]

PM sent, I think I found his dream home!

[McGurk]

Sent you a PM in case other options don't work out.

[aspenlucas]

PM sent, I think I found his dream home!

Is it at my house?

[myforx4]

If none of the above options work out for him, we would love to give him a home, lots of TLC and time to heal!!

[alittlegray]

Thank you all for the PMs! I just want to make sure everyone understands that I am not in any way promising this pony will be sound again in the future, but that is the expectation given by the vet. I will be happy to provide copies of the rads I have and the ultrasound pics from early this year as well as shots/coggins/etc. I will hang on to his measurement card (top of the line large who takes up a lot of leg) and registration papers until I know he's safe, at which point we will be happy to sign him over. If he comes back, he is amazing at his job. As long as he gets regular turnout and decent exercise he is very quiet, and he is ALWAYS top notch in the barn. He is a favorite of the vet, farrier, dentist, massage therapist. Walks right on the trailer. He's just a GOOD boy. The only thing I would be cautious of is letting a weak or small child lead him to his turnout - he will pull if he can get away with it. Not evil, just "hey, grass! I better get it before the other guys do!" It's about the only bad thing I can think of that he does. He's a sweetie, one halloween he was a native american pony, and let a bunch of tiny kids fuss all over him in his stall with fingerpaints and paint crayons. He's just such a good boy. Even if he is never a star again, he will always be a good companion for babies and hot ones - at his last barn he always got turned out with the ones who needed a sitter. He's also a great one for the kids to learn grooming skills and such on, as he will tolerate just about anything. Especially if food is involved.

We are grateful, enormously grateful for everyone's help. We had planned to retire him ourselves, so it is hard to wind up unable to do so. I have to keep reminding myself this is *temporary* hard times and nothing more.

I also want to say should whoever takes him on find they are unable to keep him down the road, I will absolutely either find a way to take him back or find him another home.

[Tha Ridge]

I don't have a kid for this pony (nor do I have a place for a pony, period), but I just wanted to say that your story really touched me. I hope that your family fall onto better times soon, and congratulations to you for raising a daughter who really understands what this sport is all about. I'm sure that your pony will find an awesome home through the powers of COTH!

[pixie]

Oh wow sorry to hear of your temporary troubles! You have always been a positive light on this BB. Best wishes to you and your pony!

[alittlegray]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raz5OFiZdkw&feature=plcp

Video of this pony packing DD around when she was just 8 or 9 and weighed about 50lbs. You can see she doesn't even know how to steer well yet, and he just takes her around the middle of the fences like a good boy.

He actually prefers the tiny riders, he's so careful with them! She just turned 14 yesterday, so this was several years ago but he hasn't changed a bit in personality - still a sweet boy.


What she is doing now thanks to all this pony taught her (no intermediate ride, just off the ponies last fall and right into the jumpers this April):

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=3&theater

[hundredacres]

Oh my. That is as cute as they come. I'd love that pony to come visit - if nothing but to keep him safe until life straightens out for you....sadly we are 1 stall short now .

[horserider12]

hello, i sent you a pm. thank you

[doublete]

Oh my goodness, that pony is about as special as they come.
I, also, am very touched by your story. Good luck finding him a spot.