Sam the Pony

12 yr. old Gray Arabian pony. 13.1 hands. This pony is quite talented! He has been camping, is great on trail and has done gymkhana with a 7 yr. old young lady who is an advanced/intermediate rider!! The pony bowed a front tendon in November 2002 while doing gymkhana with his young rider. He was placed on 2 months stall rest. After a little over two months he was ridden and still favored the injured leg. He was again on stall rest for a couple months. When he was ridden once more it was noted that he was still sore. The vet who saw him indicated that this pony needs 9 months to a year stall rest. It is thought that since he is very herd bound to the owner's other horses, that when they take the other horses out to ride, the pony strains the bowed tendon while he runs and calls for his friends. The owners of the pony cannot keep him contained for the 9 months for a year rest required and contacted TIER. TIER is unable at this time to take in any horses/ponies, as we are struggling for funds. The pony was going to go to auction, but the owners have said they will give us a chance to help find him a home where he can rest up. Once he has healed, the vet feels that he will be good for trail, but he shouldn't be doing gymkhana any longer.

Sam's owners were unable to find another home for him, so instead of going to auction, he came to TIER.  He is quite headshy, but with time and patience that has decreased.  Sammy is very personable.  But, his first few months here he displayed gas colic symptoms and was treated with Renitidine for three weeks.

The vet’s original assessment is that the bows are quite severe and he has re-injured himself.  Vet recommends a year layup and then see how sound he is.  Although Sammy’s soundness has improved greatly, whenever he is turned out for an extended period of time he tends to play hard and begins to limp.  Sadly, Sammy is not sound for riding.

Update 4-7-2006 - Sammy continues to be a favorite with VolunTIERS and visitors!  He is the only horse/pony on the property that will actually come when you call his name.  He is the sweetest guy.  Visitors Bill & Gary from Peppermint Ridge (a loving group home for developmentally disabled adults) really enjoy Sammy.  As you can see from the picture with Gary, Sammy does have “White Pony Syndrome”.  White Pony Syndrome is simply that white ponies love to get dirty!  HA!

Update 3/18/2010 - Sammy had his feet done today and as usual, he was the ultimate gentleman.  He is just the sweetest Arabian pony!  He is stabled next to Sugar Bear and they talk together quite a bit.  He is such a clown.  When he is turned out with Paco or Pepper, Sammy thinks it’s all fun a games.  He will stand in the middle of the arena, rear up several times and then start chasing them.  Paco loves it!  He does that donkey running which looks so different from horses and then he will begin to holler.  At first, I thought he was frightened (not Paco!) but I think he is hollering from the sheer joy of playing with Sammy.  You’d never even know that Sammy is close to being in his 20’s!  That’s an Arab for ya!  He is just the most loving pony and comes when you call his name.  He is great around kids or novices and is just soooooooo cute!