Support Yeti's Recovery at Fiddle Leaf Farm

This fundraiser is on behalf of my dear friends at Fiddle Leaf Farm.

On July 23rd, Chelcee and her family discovered that Yeti, their 10 month old gelding colt, had a deep laceration to his rear lower leg. Despite many eyes searching his paddock, there is no sign of what could have caused the injury - a frustratingly common scenario. While readying the farm for the arrival of that day’s summer camp attendees, Chelcee called her vet, who immediately came to assess the injury amidst a sea of campers. Upon investigation, the wound was more serious than it appeared. Fearing that the flexor tendons were severely damaged, Monadnock Equine recommended that Yeti be taken to Tufts Large Animal Hospital for further treatment.

This isn’t the recommendation that any horse owner wants to receive for any of their animals. Yeti, however, is a particularly special friend. Last summer the Hamels purchased a gem of a pony for their daughters, and lesson program. “Poptart”, shortly after arriving home, grew suspiciously more round. Sure enough, she had a surprise in store for the farm, and a few months later the cutest little palomino pinto colt was born.

”Yeti” was born into a family with 6 children ready to love him, and a small army of kids and their families who come to the farm for riding lessons. Three of the Hamel girls are avid young horsewomen and pony clubbers, who have handled this little guy so well, doing much of his early ground training and socialization themselves.

To own animals, especially horses, is to expect the unexpected and take on the responsibility of their health and inevitable emergencies. This injury has already accrued the cost of nearly $10k, and the costs will continue to rise as he works through the many stages of healing that will follow, including casting once he comes home, and therapeutic shoeing to support his hoof as it heals.

Chelcee and her family do so much for their community. She is the first one there to support a friend in need and offer encouragement. Whether it’s dropping everything for a neighboring farm emergency, bringing meals to families in their times of need, always being ready with the truck and trailer, participating in Church mission trips, organizing a donation fundraiser and delivery trip to aid in relief from hurricane Helene last year, the list continues. This is in addition to the family’s commitment to teaching mindful horsemanship to the children in Chelcee’s lesson program in a low pressure, confidence building atmosphere.

Chelcee and Steve are determined to do all they can to keep their daughters’ fluffy little Yeti on all four hooves. Let’s see if we can pitch in to help cover some of these unexpected veterinary costs and show Fiddle Leaf Farm a little love.

Details of Yeti’s injury, as well as updates and pictures to follow.