Hello, my name is Oliviah Carr, I’m sixteen years old, and this is my pony, Darla. Darla has suffered a terrible injury and she is currently being treated at The University of Pennsylvania’s large Animal Hospital at New Bolton Center. On Wednesday November 19, she was kicked by her pasture mate, (with whom she had never had any problems), and suffered what we originally thought was a fractured femur or pelvis. My mom and I rushed her to the hospital and they said if her hip were fractured, they would have to put her down. After 4 hours of x-rays and ultrasound, it wound up being a severely torn gastrocnemius muscle. She is 24 years old. And yes, many people asked us why we didn’t just put her to sleep. For me, it is simple. She’s my pony and I love her. And I am not alone. I’m sure there are at least 20 people reading this who can talk about what Darla has meant to them. She has really given so much to so many. She has done pony rides at charity events, and summer camps for local children as well a special camps for underprivileged inner city youth. She has carried many little girls around the show ring. But she has also soaked up many tears in her soft coat while she gave comfort. She has always been there for me and for anyone who needed someone to talk to. I have started a lesson program and summer camp of my own with the help of my mom and trainer, Jennifer Allen, and Darla was the one who helped me get started and helped me almost every day until that tragic moment when she got hurt.

Before I met her, and she became my dressage pony, she was loved and had a venerable career taking care of little girls in the hunter ring in Long Island, New York. She was known as Blue Diamond, The Good Witch and for the past eight years she spent with me she was Love Bug. She has helped and changed so many peoples lives for the better but especially mine. Darla was gifted to me when I was eight years old and my life has revolved around her since. She been there for every step of my life from helping me get my scores for my US Dressage Federation bronze medal to jump starting my future in teaching lessons to now being the perfect pony for so many people when they just need a hug. Darla has been my best friend since the day her beautiful soul came into my life. (Even though she can be a bit of a spicy pony mare sometimes!). She has been my rock and the rock for so many other kids when people just don't get it. In the show ring, at summer camp, at countless charity events she sparked countless children’s love for and future in horses. Darla deserves the best chance at a happy retirement I can give her.

Darla’s vet team at New Bolton headed up by Dr Thurston has said that Darla needs to be in a sling with a cast for at least 8 weeks. The cost for the sling alone at the hospital is $1300 per week. She has a lot of other bills from the X-rays, ultrasound, pain medicine, etc. We would never fight so hard for her if she was going to live a life in pain. For now her pain is managed, and if all goes well and we win this fight for her, she should be absolutely comfortable and pasture sound. She even nickered when she recognized me when my brother, Connor took me to visit her on the day before Thanksgiving. We are concerned because her normally voracious pony appetite is less enthusiastic than it should be. I think she wants to come home. I know my pony, and she would be eating if she could just get home.

Coming home means we have to build a sling to keep the weight off her leg. The sling costs about $3,000. Currently her bill at the hospital is nearing $8,000. We will need to also build a support for her in the trailer. She is worth it, ands she can recover. Please help me help this amazing pony.