Mona was a miniature horse that had a short sad life but fortunately had a humane ending.  

While on a leisurely trip to visit another Miniature Horse breeder, we happened upon a field with minis in it.  Unable to resist the temptation to see more minis, we stopped.  

There was a trailer with 'Petting Zoo' parked there - the sight of it made my heart sink.  The owner took us to view his minis.  There was an assortment of minis there in a various pitiful conditions.  We noticed a yearling with a severe offbite and this poor mare that could barely walk with her weanling filly at her side.  Oddly the large horses all had the appearance of decent care.

We examined the mare, more closely.  One back hoof was totally rotted out, one front hoof appeared to be heading that way, and her back appeared broken.  Mona was in such pain, she could barely move to allow her three month old filly to nurse.  

Her backbone had an abnormal zigzag appearance and she was standing in a couple of feet of rotted manure.  We asked the owner what was being done for this unfortunate mare, and he said his vet recommended putting her down but he personally didn’t agree.  

We were shocked and literally begged him to put her down or take her to the University of Illinois to receive emergency care.  

It took two days but fortunately the owner allowed Cathy Buehrer to take the mare to the U of I.  Cathy administered pain medication to the mare so she could be transported with a minimum of pain.  Mona was accompanied by her foal named "Lil Bit of Hope", by Cathy. 

When the intern picked up Mona’s hooves they were packed with manure.  As she began to pick them out, she gagged as the smell of thrush was overpowering. Mona had severe thrush infection in three hooves and up into one leg.  The fourth hoof was hollow with no frog.  The farrier was called to deal with the serious condition.  

As the farrier trimmed the toe, a huge abscess was revealed.  It was full of pus and blood.  It was decided to x-ray Mona, before continuing treatment.  The x-rays revealed a five year old mare with arthritis, and severe damage to her hooves to the point there was not enough healthy hoof left to work with.  Both the head vet and farrier concurred she would be doomed to live a life of pain and recommended the most compassionate act would be to put Mona down.  The veterinarian stated the condition was a direct result of negligence and lack of care.

The good to come from all of this is Mona is now at peace and her filly, Lil Bit of Hope, will not be condemned to live the life her mother did.

"Lil Bit", daughter of Mona

  Teddy - 2004

Teddy was a dwarf Miniature Horse that came to CMHR after a concerned CMHR
member notified us of this little guys condition.  Teddy had been loved by his
family, but his former owners were unaware of the special needs dwarf Minis
require and basically were killing him with kindness.

His hooves were overgrown to the point he could only walk by shuffling forward,
and the overgrown hooves had permanently twisted his legs off to the side.

Teddy was taken to the Veterinarian and a medical checkup performed.  A farrier
removed over 4 inches of his overgrown hooves and worked on boot to support
him while his legs adjust to the new shape of his hooves.  Unfortunately the
bones in his legs had been so severely twisted a positive outcome was unlikely.

Teddy also suffered from other complications associated with dwarf Miniature
Horses (breathing difficulties, etc.).  He was humanely put down in August 2003.

A special fund earmarked for dwarf minis in Teddy's name is available.  If you
would like your donations to help other Mini dwarves, please indicate that on your donation!