Volunteers Struggle To Care For Baby Horse
Volunteers Struggle To Care For Baby Horse
Colt Born With A Type Of Cerebral Palsy
POSTED: 5:07 pm PDT August 13, 2004
UPDATED: 5:33 pm PDT August 13, 2004
LOOMIS, Calif. -- A baby horse is winning his struggle to stay alive thanks to two months of continuous care and feeding.
The colt was born with a type of cerebral palsy and struggles to just to walk, and its caregivers, who are all volunteers, are hoping for help to sustain their life-saving effort.
"Noble" is a bright and friendly 2-month-old Friesian colt. Because the nerve pathways connecting the brain to his muscles are poorly developed, his every step is shaky. His stall is lined with thick hay to cushion his falls.
"So, we've gone from basically a rag doll to what you're seeing now where he can actually walk on his own," said Cindy Holman, who is caring for Noble.
Veterinarian Leslie Phillips has donated countless hours of care. She's says she is optimistic that Noble can live into adulthood.
"He's learning to compensate. He's learning to live within his environment the best he knows how. And he seems to be very happy. He whinnies when you approach him, and he has a zest for life," Phillips said.
Holman wouldn't let Noble be euthanized by his previous owner. So, with a few volunteers, she took on the extraordinary task of around-the-clock care and feeding.
"He needs help to get up. And then, we have to feed him every four hours. And during that time, he is walked and able to stand up so that his respiratory (system) can function well," Holman said.
When he was 5 weeks old, Noble was so weak that he had to be propped upright with a tethered harness, according to Holman.
"He's just such a happy colt, and he has such a strong will to live," Holman said.
Although Noble still struggles, he is gaining strength. But in the past two months, the cost of expensive of formula and medications is mounting, plus Holman and the remaining helpers said they are exhausted.
"They're (volunteers) dropping like flies. But he can't just lay, so someone has to come and help him up. So when she needs me, I come," said volunteer Debbie Dales.
Holman said that to keep Noble progressing, they really some help - donations to pay for food and medicine. they also need about a dozen more volunteers - to spend time with noble because they say, the more volunteers the better he does. If you would like to know more about helping Noble through donations or volunteering, you can contact the group at [email protected].
"Noble" the Colt
C/O The Dales
P.O. Box 325
Penryn, CA 95663
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