Ellie Mae's Baby

This is Ellie Mae, our pregnant Norwegian Fjord (not pregnant anymore!). My mom bought her in April of this year and surprised my son Trystin, put bows in her hair and braided her tail. When my son met her for the first time, they were instant buddies and when he goes to the barn to see her, all he has to do is say her name. As soon as she hears his voice, she goes right over to him looking for affection. 
The plan is for my son to learn how to ride on her. She will also be used as a therapy horse in a therapeutic riding school for children with disabilities, once her foal is old enough to be on its own. 


Why GoFundMe? Here's the story:

There was so much excitement and anticipation leading up to the birth of Ellie's foal. Once everyone at the barn found out the Ellie was pregnant, she was instantly famous. My mom started a chart for people to list their guesses - would Ellie have a filly (girl) or a colt (boy)?? As her due date approached, people would stop by to check on her, looking for a baby. My mom even set up a camera in her stall so we could monitor her and keep an eye out for the baby's debut.  Our family along with everyone at the barn was over the moon excited for the baby's arrival. In fact, during the annual summer horse camp held at the barn, the kids came and decorated her stall to welcome her foal. 
And on Sunday, July 8th at 2am, she had her baby, a beautiful colt whose name is yet to be determined. 


After he was born, it took him about an hour and a half to stand up, which is longer than usual for a foal to get to its feet. He would get to his feet, stumble around and fall again. This took place for a several hours. Eventually, he became exhausted and stopped trying to get to his feet (foals are expected to be able to get to their feet, learn their balance and begin nursing two hours post birth). 

By 8am, he had still been unable to get to his feet and nurse on his own, so he and Ellie Mae were transported to a local equine hospital where he received an IV and feeding tube in order to give him the fluids and nutrients he needed (he receives feedings once every hour).


It was discovered at the hospital that he has contracted tendons in his front ankles which caused him to walk on them rather than on his hooves. This is what kept him from being able to nurse - first, the pain of walking on his ankles was exhausting and second, he could not get the right angle to reach in order to nurse. 

As of now, Monday, July 9th, he is doing well. He has energy and is up on his feet, nursing on his own with splints on his legs to support them. 

We are so thankful for the wonderful team of people that have helped keep our little one safe and healthy. However, with the great care he has received comes great bills as well. 

He is expected to be at the hospital for the next few days to gain strength and stamina. The vet bill will come to approximately $6,000.  If you feel led to help with the outstanding debt for this little guy, we will be forever grateful and so will he and Ellie Mae!! 

We will continue to post updates of how he is doing along with photos to share. 

Thank you for your support!!