The operation failed. Potato had his eye enucleated on Friday, April 7th. He was a great candidate for surgery, and the surgery went perfectly. Released from Cornell despite an ulcer in the eye, he could see for about a week. Per Cornell's instructions, he was not to see an opthalmologist until two weeks post-op. By that point, everything had dominoed and the eye was lost. The ulcer had limited what meds he could take, and simultaneously an infection developed, followed by painful glaucoma. He was in a rehab facility with 24-hour care, but they ran out of options.

Needless to say, I was heartbroken. He came home on Saturday, April 8th, and the upside was that his relief and happiness at being back home was palpable. In the coming weeks, his sutures will dissolve, and he will be back to where he started: blind in one eye and partially visual in the other.

Time will tell what his path holds. He was a wonderful riding and trail pony before the operation, and I hope he can be that, and more, again. He is so affectionate, curious, and willing... My hope is that he will make a therapy pony, trail and lesson pony.

To the 50 or so people who contributed to his cataract surgery, who took a chance on trying to restore his vision, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I am so sorry it all went awry. My partner said that maybe he has more important things to do than what he might have otherwise. I like that.

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Potato made it back home on Monday, March 6th and is on stall rest for three weeks, with meds every six hours. He looks like a pirate but apparently has vision fully restored in his formerly blind left eye. Updates below on the process, costs, and progress. Thank you to everybody who is helping this come together for Potato!

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Welcome to Pony Up Rescue, a newly-formed grassroots organization that seeks to save and rehabilitate equines caught in the slaughter pipeline. This is its first foray into saving a life, that of a 10-year-old chestnut pony named Sweet Potato. Potato loves children and could teach riding, horsemanship, and compassion to many. However, 90% blind from degenerative cataracts, he was thrown away into the auction and slaughter pipeline. Bailed, transported, and given proper veterinary, dental and farrier care, Potato has only cataracts keeping him from a full and useful life. Though 90% blind and against all odds, he is a candidate for a game-changing ocular procedure that could COMPLETELY restore his vision. This fundraiser is to pay for that double cataract surgery at Cornell on February 20th, for which the estimated cost of the procedure is $6,000. By supporting this effort, you can save him from eventual complete blindness, give him the gift of vision, and overhaul his quality of life. This holiday, you can be in at the ground level of a passionate new rescue operation and play a direct role in restoring Potato's sight.

Potato arrived at a local place in Rhinebeck, NY, on November 13th. His transformation is tremendous after his bail, shipping, farrier work, dental treatment, vaccinations, comprehensive ophthalmologic exam, daily grooming, and ground and mounted work. Having his sight back would allow this loving, sound, rideable 10-year-old pony to teach many children. The alternative for Potato is eventual complete blindness.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Marjorie Neiderland recommended him to Cornell Medical for double cataract surgery, which can take place as soon as February 20th. The cost is estimated at $6,000 for the weeklong inpatient process, not including transportation to and from Ithaca and follow-up appointments ($350 each). Thus far, his rescue has cost $3500, and Potato is now relying on the generosity of friends and strangers for this next critical step in his rehabilitation.

I'm going to post about the process of rescuing, including the costs, progress, and experience of working with a vision-impaired animal. I would love to bring you along on this first foray into horse rescuing, and we can see what it takes to make a difference in a meaningful life.

Thank you!

Kelsey and Potato

Here's how it came to pass...

Sweet Potato was on a video live-streamed on NY Last Chance Horse Bail Out's Facebook page. He and nine others had been granted one week's reprieve from their crowded trailer, bound for a slaughterhouse in Canada.

At NY Last Chance Bail Out in Allegany, NY, #329

In an oversized hackamore, on video at Last Chance

Potato was bailed and Silver Thistle Transport shipped him five hours to a friend's small barn in Rhinebeck. The following day, he got dewormer, his three remaining shoes removed, and his feet trimmed (it had been 18-20 weeks).

On arrival in Rhinebeck, in his box stall

First night, groomed and tucked in

Week 2, Potato had a veterinary exam and vaccinations, his teeth floated, and his tear ducts flushed. The vet reports that he is ten years old, 13.2 hands, is sound, has had his teeth floated previously, and is in otherwise good condition. Meanwhile, we discovered that he trail rides like a champ and rides around an arena like he knows his business. Most of all, he loves affection and attention.

A note on horse slaughter

Slaughter is illegal in the United States but going strong in Canada and Mexico. Kill buyers pick up horses that sell cheap at auctions, where many go when their owners can't afford them anymore or pass away. These buyers ship them over the border and are paid meat prices, something like $1.15/pound. With no pain meds allowed, horses are crammed on trucks and hauled without breaks, food, or water. Some die on the way or collapse and get trampled; all suffer. And that's just the transit. It's a terrible end for many animals who were lifelong companions to their people.