Those words that I wrote in my book, Sonrise Stable, echo my sentiments about horse-related odors. Now, if you haven’t cleaned your barn all winter, that’s a different story, but in general the fragrance related to horses is a pleasant one for me. Others find the same odors unpleasant and try to avoid them.

The bible describes something very similar in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.

It’s not talking about horses obviously, rather it describes us as being the fragrance of Christ. Are you being a “fragrant” Christian? Do those around you pick up the scent of Christ from you? I have a friend who is allergic to horses and can tell immediately when anyone has been around them. Just the same, people should not be around us very long without being able to tell that we have been around Christ.

Just as some people can’t wait to get out of the horse barn, there are people who can’t stand the fragrance of Christ. The Scripture says that we are the aroma of death to them.  They are reminded of their sinfulness, that they are “dead” in their sins. I hope that that aroma eventually becomes a pleasant one to them and leads them from death to life.

I was shocked. How could a blind horse compete in the Extreme Cowboy Race, a contest that challenges even the best horses? Beka and Stormy continued through the course, doing very well at each of the obstacles. Then they came to a series of 3 jumps made of barrels laid on their sides. As they approached, I was wondering, "How in the world is he going to jump those?"

Beka brought him up to the first jump, came nearly to a stop and said, "Up." Without hesitating Stormy jumped straight up. He kind of came down partly on top of one of the barrels, but it was a valiant effort. He made the same courageous and unquestioning attempt at the next two jumps.

At the end of the course, each contestant took a final lap around the coliseum. This time Stormy really moved out, galloping around the arena, totally sightless, guided only by the rider he loved and trusted wholeheartedly. When they crossed the finish line, the whole audience stood and cheered for this wonderful team. I was having a hard time keeping the tears from my eyes, and I don't think I was the only one. What an inspiration these two were!

I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground—the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end.
2 Timothy 1:12 The Message

May our faith in our Master be as unwavering as Stormy's.

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Five years ago Stormy went blind, suddenly and completely, at age 10, as a result of equine recurrent uveitis, a disease that causes inflammation in the eyes, particularly in Apaloosas. Beka's vet recommended putting the horse down since he didn't feel he would have a useful life.

Read more about Beka and Stormy in this Columbus Dispatch article.

View video of Beka and Stormy - their race application video and their performance in Columbus.

Fifteen-year-old Molly had been left behind when her owners fled the hurricane. She spent two weeks alone in her stall with only a little food and water. When Kaye Harris heard about the pony, she brought her to her nearby farm. Molly spent several happy months there, but in December was viciously attacked by a rescued pit bull named Red. Molly suffered abdominal, throat and leg wounds and her vet, Dr. Allison Barca, did not expect her to survive.

The blood vessels leading to her right front hoof were damaged. One day when the vet was changing her bandage, Molly’s hoof fell off. Dr. Barca thought she would have to put the pony down, but Harris suggested a prosthetic. They met with Dr. Rustin Moore at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Although skeptical at first, after seeing Molly Dr. Moore said, “Molly’s demeanor to me after watching her showed me she’s smart, could lie down on either side, she liked to be around people and would let people help her.” He decided she would be a good candidate for the surgery, although he had never performed one of that type before.

After the one-hour surgery, Molly was able to walk on a cast that doubled as a temporary prosthetic. Five weeks later she was fitted for a permanent prosthetic, for free, by Dwayne Mara at Bayou Orthotic and Prosthetic Center. Mara had never made a prosthetic for an animal before. Molly's artificial leg sports a smiley face imprint on the bottom.

“This was the right horse and the right owner,” Moore insisted.  “Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. She’s tough as nails but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood that she was in trouble.”

Dr. Barca cautions that Molly’s operation should not get other horse owners’ hopes up too high. “It’s not the kind of thing you could do on just any horse,” said Barca, who credits Molly’s willingness to lay down as an important step in her recovery.

Fractures and other injuries to the limb opposite to the amputated limb are the most common cause of euthanasia following this type of injury. Equine limb prostheses are currently available only for amputations below the knee or hock. Molly’s small size, low weight, and lower energy level also contributed to her successful recovery from the amputation. Another important factor is the commitment of the owner, who must be willing to provide daily care over the lifetime of the horse.

Harris states that Molly prefers to have the prosthetic limb off, but also seems to ask for it to be put back on at times. "And she asks for it - she will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too.”

Since her recovery Molly has had a new job. Kaye started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. They’ve been to various places in Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Kentucky and Alabama so far. Molly is scheduled to be in the Equine Village during the World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Lexington, KY.

LSU video about Molly and the surgery

Molly's Website

I couldn't find the exact number of horses that have successfully undergone amputation and prosthetic limbs, but the number is very small. Here are links to a few others.

Thor - former successful jumper, victim of abuse and neglect

Jude - donkey whose leg was cut off trying to free himself from barbed wire hobbles (that's what it says on the site, I have never heard of such a thing and hope that they do not exist!)

Gideon - stallion with hind leg prosthetic

Luigi - donkey born without a lower left front leg

Sitka - mare who has all 4 legs, but an injury to right front hoof caused it to permanently bend backwards

Steve is located in Queen Valley Arizona and is one of the leading authorities on mule training. Steve has been featured on RFD TV and at expos such as Equine Affaire, Equifest, Ride The West Hoosier Horse Fair, MHC Horse Expo Mane Event, and Festival of the Horse. For more information about Steve, mule training, and mule tack visit Steve's website - muleranch.com