Junebug in her stall

Junebug's feet, when she arrived:
sore and foundered.

Another view of her sore feet

Junebug

Horse owners don't always realize that too much food can be almost as harmful as too little food. Some horses -- and ponies in particular! -- can actually kill themselves by overeating.

Junebug is a very cute paint pony, perhaps a Shetland-Welsh cross. She came to us at the age of six after her owner died. She'd lived her life in a large, beautiful field with lush grass, and it nearly did her in.
She was friendly and approachable, but she'd never been halterbroken or had her feet handled or trimmed. She walked slowly and uncomfortably, because she was grossly overweight and foundered. Her cresty pony neck carried bulges of fat, her backbone had disappeared into rolls of fat, and she waddled when she walked -- which wasn't often, because her poor feet were badly overgorwn, foundered, and very sore.

After just a few months of proper care, some good handling and a restricted diet, however, Junebug has become a different pony. She's very smart and willing to learn, so we were able to lead and stand tied in just a few short lessons. She now stands quietly to have her feet cleaned and trimmed, she's traded in some of that excess weight for muscle. Her feet have grown beautifully, and she's now sound.

Junebug is the star pupil of the barn! She's learned to longe and respond to voice commands, and she's now beginning to ground-drive in preparation for hitching to our pony cart. Our trainer, Sarah Blanchard, says Junebug is developing an excellent work ethic and is one of the fastest learners Sarah has ever worked with. This beautiful little mare is a sterling example of how an untrained, overfed pony can be transformed into a wonderful, happy, willing partner.

Junebug's stall is right in the center of the barn, where she can greet everyone who comes through the door. She's one of our best success stories. Come pay a visit to Junebug -- she loves company!

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