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Summary: Dollie arrived obese and suffering from EPSM, or "tying up disease". After extensive dieting and training, Dollie began to ride. She threw Mike in an obvious case of sudden, severe pain, which turned out to be a dislocated floating rib. Dollie was also found to have extensive arthritis which appears to be unrecoverable. She has been retired and will spend the rest of her life as a companion animal only.

On Arrival: Dollie arrived in November 2003 as the result of an owner surrender. Dollie was actually surrendered to another nonprofit agency, a handicapped riding facility, but Dollie's nervousness and lack of training got in the way of her fitting in at this otherwise fantastic home. So Dollie was donated to Crosswinds.

Dollie appears to be a former Amish plow horse, based upon recognizing Gee and Haw and other voice commands. Over the next few weeks, we hope to determine just what her issues are and help her find her way into life as a massive, gorgeous riding horse. Along that path will also have to be a significant diet, as Dollie is easily 300 lbs overweight, and suffers from EPSM ("tying up disease").

December 2003 Update: Dollie is gradually losing some of her excess mass, and has started her saddle training. Shown above right is Dollie on her first day with a saddle on ... also her first day with a rider sitting astride, and then her first real rides!

June 2004 Update: Dollie's potential adoptive home is not going to work out, but we cannot thank Stephanie enough for all her time, interest, and her generous donation to sponsor Dollie for the past several months.

We have found the cause of Dollie's panicked bucking spree 2 weeks ago -- she had a rib which was out of place where it meets her sternum. Saddling her slightly behind the ideal position caused pressure on this rib and resulted in intense pain for poor Miss Dolly. Our incredible vet, Dr King, is likely one of two dozen vets (or less!) in the country who could've found the problem....and he didn't quit looking until he did. Dollie is on a week rest and will be rechecked next week to ensure that the rib is now holding in proper position prior to any further efforts to work on riding Miss Dolly.

October 2004 Update: Shortly after resolving Dollie's rib issue, she became lame on her left hind. This intermittent discomfort has been a problem on and off all fall, and we have decided to let Dollie "winter" at a local farm with Miata where there is no pressure to stand up to other horses, deal with day-to-day activity changes, or anything but rest, munch acres of lush grass, and recover. We hope that come spring both Dollie and Miata will come home sound and ready to look toward a new future.

January 2005 Update: Dollie has made minimal progress in coming sound. She has good days, but most are bad. Unfortunately, this week she apparently slipped in the snow and has swollen not only that fetlock joint, but the hock and hip as well. She is in significant but not extreme pain and cannot walk, only hobble. Dr King believes strongly that the fetlock has significant arthritis issues, and it is time to retire Dollie. Assuming she recovers from this current severe lameness to a point of comfort, we will be looking for a permanent retirement home for her. Her adoption contract will be unique due to her retirement issues, and her adoption fee is $0. Please email us directly for more details if you'd like a beautiful percheron mare for a pasture companion and friend who MUST never work or breed again.

February 02, 2005 update: Dollie is minimally better, now able to walk on the bad leg, but not sound even at a walk. We hope time will help her continue to improve, and cannot begin to say enough thank you's to the Alt family who are the foster family caring for Dollie during this rough time, and also to her sponsors who are so kind as to help with Dollie's medical expenses as well.