PETOOT - Poster "Child" of the Year!
 PERSONAL PONIES
usually chooses
one of the children participating in our program as Poster "Child" of
the Year, but this year we are VERY pleased to have chosen a most
special pony for this role.
We think after you read PETOOT's story (written by
his PPL "mom," Gail Schumann, State Director of New Hampshire), that
you will agree that PETOOT is a most special pony and an example for us
all...
Gail's story ...
Both my husband and I work full time jobs off the
farm, but luckily I am only five minutes away and my father-in-law,
Bernie, comes in at mid-day to check on everyone, do any needed feeding
and watering, and in general make sure that all is well.
On the day PETOOT was born, Bernie came as
usual—but there was nothing "usual" about the phone call I received
from him telling me that RAINIE had had her foal, that both of his
front legs looked like they were broken, and that he could not stand.
Alarmed, I immediately left work and came home to try to get the foal
to stand and nurse, but Bernie was right: this little colt could not
stand on his front legs. They didn't seem broken to me, but they looked
like they had been "put on" sideways.
Of course, I immediately called my vet who was
amazed by the foal's unusual "conformation" and who said she had never
seen anything like it. At that point we had no idea if we could save
this little colt, but we decided to take one step at a time and see
what could be done for him. Thus our first job was to get colostrum
from his dam and tube that into his stomach. We also decided to give
him some IV tetracycline for safety. But as we worked with PETOOT and
talked about his chances, PETOOT kept doggedly TRYING to get up and
walk! Impressed with his heart, we decided to give him a few days and
see what happened.
 But in order to
live, PETOOT
had to eat and as he couldn't stand to nurse, I milked the mare and
started feeding him with a baby bottle every 4 hours. He was great
about drinking and the more milk he got, the more DETERMINED he got
that he was going to GET UP AND WALK. On the fourth day when I went in
to milk the mare, I was dismayed to discover that she had no milk.
Discouraged, I sat in the stall and watched for a bit only to discover
that PETOOT had figured out how to get himself up and drink! His little
legs weren't very strong and they still turned out, but HE GOT UP! It
was also easy to see that this little colt was proud as a peacock to
have conquered this critical skill.
Lots of people have asked me if I ever thought
about putting PETOOT down in these early days when his condition looked
so hopeless. Of course, it was something that my vet and I discussed,
but it was really PETOOT's stamina, his willingness to keep trying, and
his will to live that kept us from it. My vet even said that she simply
could not, in good faith, destroy a creature with that much heart and
spirit unless his physical condition became grave. Thus, PETOOT himself
determined his own future.
By the end of the first week, my vet and I decided
that we needed to do more for PETOOT—we needed to figure out what to do
with his legs. Our first plan was braces to help support his legs, but
while I left them on at night, I was afraid to keep them on during the
day for fear he might get stuck on something. But even with this
limited support for his legs, each day PETOOT got stronger, ate more,
and got more of the "I CAN BE JUST LIKE VERYONE ELSE" attitude. He
tried HARD at everything, especially at trying to run and jump like
other foals.
Spurred by his continuing courage, I contacted
several equine clinics, but the responses were discouraging and NO ONE
thought that a little pony like PETOOT was important enough to work
with. What was there to do but decide that between me and PETOOT we
could make this work! Thus PETOOT and I began his physical therapy
together...
I didn't really "KNOW" what I was doing, but it
made sense to me that PETOOT needed help in teaching his front legs
what to do—so I started "being" his front legs for him by holding them
and moving them in the way they need to go in order for PETOOT to walk.
Then I got a FAX from Gunvor Schoch in Sweden that detailed massage
techniques and therapies to try on his legs. So now I also became
PETOOT's massage therapist and faithfully administered the massages,
linaments and warm soaks Gunvor recommended. And each day, PETOOT's
attitude said to me, "LOOK AT ME! I CAN WALK AND RUN IF I WANT AND I
REALLY NEED TO STAY ALIVE!
 PETOOT is now 6
months old and
his ATTITUDE and DESIRE TO LIVE are the reasons he is still here. He
has never once given up. NOT ONCE! His feet are trimmed every 3 1/2
weeks to help him with his walk and today his front right leg looks
almost normal, though his left leg is still seriously turned out. BUT
this foal does run with the other horses, eats with them and believes
he is ten feet tall instead of the 18" high he really is!
PETOOT is the foal that can make anyone believe
that ANYTHING NIS POSSIBLE. He has the desire to liive and the heart to
say, "OK, I AM DIFFERENT BUT I CAN AND WILL LIVE A GOOD LIFE." And he
certainly made me realize how much love and heart a child with
disabilities really has.
Most of all, though, he is a constant reminder to
me of how wonderful life really is, no matter what problems you or your
children may have.
Petoot Update - July 2001
Petoot just had his firth birthday and we thought
you might like to see how he has thrived in the past year despite his
difficult start in life.
Gail says that Petoot's right leg has straightened
substantially, but that his left is still very crooked. Doesn't seem to
bother this pony a bit though as you can see from the new pictures!
Gail also reports that Petoot seems to know his limitations, but really
enjoys rollicking with his best friend, the young PPL stallion,
SCHUMANN'S RAZZMATAZZ. They are best buddies and the cutest (and most
diminutive) pair you can imagine as they stand side-by-side at the full
height of about 22"!
 
Gail Schumann has been one
of our most active volunteers for the past seven years and at last
count has contributed over 180 animals to our program, including ponies
and companion animals like miniature goats, sheep and donkeys that we
provide to keep our ponies from getting lonely. Gail is also a PPL
breeder and stands the stallion, SCHUMANN'S RAZZMATAZ, as well as
serving as foster "mom" to ponies that need special care or training.
Additionally, she is State Director of New Hampshire and handles all
the copy work and preparation of marketing materials for the program.
If you would like to contact Gail, you can call her at 603-826-3904 or
email her at minis@fmis.net.
THANKS, GAIL, FOR CARING...AND FOR
ALLTHAT YOU DO!
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