Faith is home
After a heartbreaking few weeks and the sad loss of Charity the donkey the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre received these inspirational pictures from renowned Specialist Horse Vet Gaspar Castelijns. Faith travelled to Barcelona for pioneering surgery to amputate her lower leg and fit her with an artificial limb. This plucky little horse has since captured the hearts of Gaspar and his team of surgeons. Faith’s stump healed really well after the surgery and Gaspar and his team discussed the next steps to take which would involve ordering a made to measure prosthetic limb for Faith. It was discovered that a member of Gaspar’s team of surgeons had a distant relative who made prosthetic limbs for humans and after tracking down the surgeon’s relative they discussed the possibility of making a prosthetic limb for Faith. It was revealed that they were delighted to help and very excited by the prospect of helping this brave little horse who would be the first horse in Spain to ever receive a prosthetic limb. They travelled up to Barcelona the very next day to measure up Faith and then commenced making the cast.
Once made, Faith was fitted with the first adjustable walking cast and these amazing pictures show her taking her first small steps. Faith is bending her left front knee which indicates that she is bearing her weight on her right front limb and prosthesis. Each prosthetic limb costs in the region of 1000 euros.
A further artificial limb will now be made for Faith containing a double zipper, one on either side to enable easier handling. The ground support will be made of soft rubber to absorb the impact on the ground when Faith is walking, thus avoiding problems with pressure points which in turn can lead to ulcers. Gaspar is hopeful that they can avoid the same problems which occurred when Rustine Moore, a Specialist Equine Prosthetic Surgeon had when making Molly the Pony’s limb as several attempts were made to fit Molly with the correct prosthetic limb. Molly the Pony has since become something of an ambassador in America.
Rod, Sue and all the volunteers, not to mention all her horsey friends are now counting the days to Faith’s homecoming which is scheduled to be as early as 20 May where she will be welcomed home with open arms and horsey hooves as everyone has missed her so much!
Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre receives no official funding whatsoever, and relies entirely on donations.
You can sponsor her here on our website or donate through Paypal using the button below.
or alternatively please telephone Sue at the Centre on 652 021 980.
UPDATE- 20 MAY 2011Faith's Homecoming
Brave little Faith arrived home after a seven and half hour journey, along with Cookie her friend who had also travelled to Barcelona to see specialist horse vet Caspar Castelijns. Sol TV, Canal Vega and an emotional set of volunteers had arrived earlier at the Centre to welcome home Faith: she is doing amazingly well, is pain free and is bearing her weight on her new prosthetic leg. Faith walked out of the horse trailer, into the centre and posed for pictures in the garden with her many friends at the centre; she was clearly excited to be home. We are so proud of this gutsy little horse.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to The Faith Appeal and given Faith this amazing chance to live a good life at the Centre.
Further updates will be provided on Faith's progress over the forthcoming days.