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Chico's story begins when his breeder gave him away to an individual.
The person who got him was not able to keep him with the other horses because they would attack him. This is not surprising
since Chico was already a yearling stud colt. The person separated him from the others by keeping Chico in a very small
enclosure that did not allow him to move around very freely.
An ad was placed offering Chico free to a home.
A couple responded to the ad and discovered Chico very emaciated and in a tiny enclosure not much larger than a dog pen.
He was extremely sick. They knew they could not leave him in such bad conditions so they took him.
A vet
determined that Chico was suffering from pneumonia. He was also a double chryptorchid (neither testicle had descended)
and it appeared that part of his intestine had dropped into his sheath. The little colt would need surgery
if he survived the pneumonia.
The couple nursed Chico through his pneumonia but could not afford
the surgery he needed so they asked HPS for help.
When Chico arrived at the sanctuary he was only 12.2 hands
(50 inches tall). He was roach-backed, cow hocked and extremely thin. He has now recovered and gained enough weight
for his surgery. He was also starting to act like the little untrained stallion he was and causing the volunteers
more than their share of headaches. It was time to help Chico proceed to the next phase of his life: as a gelding.
Poor Chico has been contained in round pens and dog pens most of his short life. He had probably never known
the freedom of running across a field with other horses. On February 14th, Chico went to Happy Day Horse Farm to be
with other youngsters and to have the opportunity to run and play before his surgery. Tamara Eichorn reported that the
first few days he seemed to have no idea how to play and interact with other youngsters. By the third day, however,
he was running and playing with the other youngsters and had made a friend of a little yearling about his own size.
Chico had the opportunity to enjoy himself and destress for about 2 weeks then he was taken to Dr Meeker's
for his surgery on March 2nd. We are so happy to report that his surgery was successful and he is back at Happy Day
Horse Farm for a few more weeks to recover and to receive some handling and training.
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| Chico loads into the trailer before going for surgery. |
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| Chico, July 2010. |
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