Many dwarves are
born with very weak legs. Some dwarves have such weak fetlocks or are
down so low in the pasterns that they need the help of a special little
shoe to keep them from rolling over to the sides of their hooves or walking
on their fetlocks. That is the way my Little Bit was and I designed him
a special little horse shoe that has since been named the ”Little
*Magic Shoes* ” by a gentleman who has a dwarf filly named Angel.
She could not stand on her own when she was born and so the vet wrapped
& braced her little legs, but after a short while she started developing
pressure sores just like my Little Bit did. This man knew he had to do
something different and then he read about the shoes I had made for Little
Bit. This gentleman was so amazed at the result of the shoes when he glued
them onto Angel’s hooves, that he wrote to me and told me that they
were Angel’s little * Magic Shoes*, and so the name has stuck. |
 |
 |
Angel is now 6 years old and wearing her 6th. pair
of *Magic Shoes*!
|
|
The photo below left, shows Fairy at
about 3 weeks old. She was walking on all 4 fetlocks when she was born,
so the vet taped tongue depressors to her hooves, which helped her some.
|
|
Fairy at three weeks old.
|
Fairy’s legs at 4 months old after wearing the little *Magic Shoes*;
with just one shoe on her left back hoof. |
Here’s Fairy at about 4 months old; barefoot
and fancy free! |
Precious at 5 years old. |
Precious’(above) owners
had some little leather braces made for her, but she learned how to
pull on the Velcro straps and take them off. After several months of
trying to keep the leather braces on her, and not seeing any improvement,
her owners stopped putting the braces on her. Precious is 5 years old
now and her joints have fused into this position, so it is too late
for her legs to be corrected. Note the subluxation of her shoulders
as well. Precious is watched very closely by her vet and he does not
think that she is in any pain as of yet. |
 |
 |
This is little Chubby, he was adopted by Angel's Momma
& Poppa, but unfortunately not until his little hooves and legs looked
like this from neglect. The farrier did his best with Chubby's hooves,
but he never got to the point where he could wear the *Magic Shoes*, but
at least he was comfortable. A couple years later, his owners had to make
the difficult decision to have little Chubby euthanized, as his arthritis
was making him so very uncomfortable. |
There are many of these special
little horses that need good loving homes, but it takes a special kind
of person to care for them, especially the ones with severe dwarf characteristics.
These little horses take lots of patience and love, and you have to be
able to afford their many vet, and dentist bills as well. I have spent
thousands of dollars on the seven little dwarves that I’ve had in
the last 13 years, but they give back so much love and enjoyment; I would
not trade them for the world! |
If I can be of any help to someone
who has a little dwarf or if you have a horse you think might benefit
from some little *Magic Shoes*, please feel free to call me at 979-877-0117
or e-mail me at janell_jensen@yahoo.com
.
Little *Magic Shoes* for "special" little
horses
http://www.littlemagicshoes.com/ |
I also have quite a large network
of dwarf Mommas & Poppas nation wide that are willing to adopt or
find homes for little dwarves or “special” little horses in
need of a good loving home. |
"Heaven's very special horse"
A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the LORD above,
This Special foal will need much love.
His growing may be very slow,
his days of life we will not know.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.
He may not run or buck or play,
For misshaped limbs get in the way,
His health may never be quite right,
But through him shines a healing light.
So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please LORD, find the people who
Will do a special job for you.
They will realize at his birth
Their loving role and what its worth,
Cause with this colt sent from above
Comes tons of unconditional love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so small and course,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL horse.
Originally written as "Heaven's very special child" by Edna Massionilla,
modified and retitled by Maria Olson
To read John Eberth's article on "Genetics " please go to
page 8