This is Lucky, our Bucket Fund Filly from November…
Our Bucket fund filly from November, Lucky, has her new braces!
In case you missed her story, it is linked here.
Lucky was born with club feet. Instead of giving her the much needed surgery as a foal, she was instead locked in a stall for 3 years…
Upon first looks at Lucky, her rescuers (SEALS Care and Rescue) thought the best future for her would be humane euthanasia.
However, surprise surprise, the filly showed so much gumption with her bucking, rearing, trotting and traveling very well, the rescuers fell in love with her joy for life – and decided to give her a chance.
Luckily, you readers thought this she was a worthy cause and donated towards the fee to have her braces created!
Even with those feet, her new found freedom had her running, bucking and rearing! This girl was not hindered – except for the long term misuse of her back and hind end…
HOW DO BRACES WORK?
The braces are used to help support her shoulder and create proper length of leg which evens out her spine normally. In this way, with practice, she will build up her shoulder muscles which in turn will help her hips and back to align comfortably.
Her hooves are not asked to straighten. Instead, the braces conform to the underturned hooves and add cushion, impact resistance and length. So, she is still landing on her hoof, but the concussion is far less. And, the accommodating contortion of her back will go away.
As you can see, they put a 4-Leaf Clover on the bottom of Lucky’s braces… Nice!
Her feet keep their position inside of the braces.
The braces add support, cushion and length so that her back can return to proper alignment – and so that her shoulder muscles can work properly.
The bottom of her braces have hearts in the shape of a LUCKY 4-leaf clover. Nice!
TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY!
Today was her first day with the new braces and she did well! At first, she was unsure… she took some very clumsy steps and then she got the hang of it!
Lucky can only wear them 2 hours at a time until she works up to all day use. Usually, this process take about two months.
Lucky feels comfortable enough to move around the arena and meet the TV crew onhand to record this historic day!
She moves in on Lori’s husband to ask for treats…
VIDEOS
Lori from SEAL took video and photos of this historic day.
And, the Film Crew from the local news did a very nice piece. Wow – A celebrity! Click here to watch the local news about Lucky.
I’ve posted two of Lori’s videos for you.
The first video shows how Lucky didn’t know what to do at first. Be warned – this is scary to watch in the beginning because you think she is going to hurt herself. But, she doesn’t…
Click this image to see her first steps! (Kinda scary at first but she does great!)
The next video shows her settling in and walking straight towards Lori really quickly!
I’m sure we will receive continual videos of her progress.
Wow!
Lucky’s life is about to change in a big way! (big grin…)
Click this image to watch Lucky getting the hang of it!
Lori and Lucky… This filly certainly is Lucky considering that a few months ago, she was skinny, stuck indoors and standing in years of manure. Today she checks out the devices that will enable her to really kick up a storm!
HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!
January Bucket Fund – rescuing and transporting the 41 Virginia Range horses to lands where they can start a new life!
Copyright
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Hi you guys! WOW on Lucky!!! and also thank you so much for being a voice for the Wild Ones who are in peril at the hands of commercial greed and corruption of the US govt. Thank you!!! The more awareness of their pending doom will only create more voices from those who care about morality and justice over hoarding wealth… it may be our only way to save precious, and a sacred lives! :)
I want also to applaud you on seeing the reasons for Lucky to try and stay with us… I say this because there are certainly some horses in terrible physical situations who would choose to be let go… and then that is the kindest response in heart. However there are those that choose to stay and maybe be a voice of their own for all of us to learn from and grow from. I think Lucky is one of those special souls. Thanks for seeing and honoring her light. I would love to introduce you and also Lucky to our mare – STRAW! They are very similar in the heart.
Lucky – meet Straw! Straw meet Lucky! Maybe there is a way for us to touch and heal with these magnificent mares leading the way! :)
http://www.indiegogo.com/TheStrawFund/x/1599626?c=home
(Straws Story is here( She was a champion AQHA broodmare, and in some horrific accident broke both of her front legs and neck. She survived. I met her years later and now she is a healer and teacher in our EAGALA program working with veterans and at risk youth.
Another article here: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/08/a_horse_with_a_broken_body_has.html
THANK YOU! God bless you!
CC
What a remarkable story this is. Thanks so much, Dawn, for the find and updates. It’s incredible to witness the spirit of this filly – and the rapport she’s developed in such a short time with the people surrounding her in her new home.