Nipper's story

[Anti Banti]

Nipper is a grey (he looks white) pony with a white mane and tail.  He is about 13.2hh and about 15 years old.  He came to us last October still very light on and not trusting anyone.  He was rescued by the RSPCA having just been left alone for 4 years.  We think he must have also been abused as he was not a very trusting sole.  When we went to see him he was tied up to a post with a neck collar loking so pathetic that our hearts went out to him.  As we approached him he pulled back, not want horrible humans anywhere near him.  Our initial reaction was, oh hell what are we going to do now.  Nipper was going to be for our autistic son.  Amyway Tim didnt seem to notice anything wrong in Nippers' reaction and walked straight up to him and gave him a hug.  Tim then just spent some time with him talking to him and patting him until Nipper relaxed and allowed us near him.  Nipper was then tacked up with difficulty and a guy got on him.  It was the first time he had been ridden in over 4 years and he didnt put a foot wrong.  Then my son got on him and Nipper just seemed to know and behaved beautifully again.  Against all our instincts we took him home.
When we got him home we noticed a large lump each side of his mouth.  These lumps we ulcerated so I got the dentist and my vet out.  They are melenomas.  While the vet was checking him, the vet also noticed an ulcerated melenoma on his penis.  The vet was 99% sure it was cancer.  Anyway we had all the lumps tested and much to our relief all came back clear.  We then started the process of trying to fatten Nipper up.  About 4 weeks after we go him we went down to feed him and found blood all over his back legs.  Checked him all over and there was no cuts.  The only place the blood could have come from was his backside.  Rang the vet immediately.  The vet was there within half an hour.  He didnt know what the cause was but Nipper was definately bleeding from the bowel.  The vet did loads of tests and the only thing that showed as abnormal was he had low blood protein.  Nipper seemed well in himself and was not losing any condition (not that he had much to lose at that stage).  The vet suggested we take him to the Vet hospital in Werribee.  They also did all sorts of tests but with the same result.  We just monitored him and if he had got any worse we were going to have to put him down.  The bleeding just suddenly stopped on day and so far ( touch wood)  has not reoccured

[Anti Banti]

continutation:

My son started riding him and fittening him up.  Nipper is now doing really well and is a great safe pony.  He has got to the stage where he looks for you when you go down to feed.  He no longer runs away and will even allow you to smooch.  Nipper still has some issues from his previous experiences, but we are working on these and are slowly overcoming them.  My son can now get his bridle on without help from an adult and we are all thanking heaven we took the risk with him.

[JM80]

Ohhhhh glad it worked out for you Anti Banti!! And your son

[Calamity Jane]

How wonderful for you and Tim.  I think animal therapy for children with learning disabilities is great.  Animals can read them so well, know how to react with them and treat them with the respect they deserve!

Would love to see some pics of them.

[Indy]

OMG that story gave me goosebumps. 

Do you think he might have eaten something harsh or wrong that may have scoured him as it was
ejected?  If he was left for four years he might have been pretty desperate and eaten anything. And
whatever it was isnt going to show up after its already expelled with his manure. Might have even been a bit
of wire,  I have seen and heard of weirder things.

[drumcliff01]

Oh what a lovely life hes going to have now!! Good on you Anti!

[Montana Rose]

Aww, what a great story.  Good on you AB 

[AnnieOakley]

What a beautiful and inspiring story. Thank God for humans like you.  good luck in the future.
Annie

[Indy]

Anti is probably one of my favourite forumites so I am not surprised at the outcome of this story.  I kind of guess life hasnt always been a bed of roses for anti but she always does the right thing!   Its a great heartwarming story and I am glad he has you.

[Anti Banti]

Thank you

[Tayz]

Aw, what a great story
Good on you Anti

[clydie69]

The grey ponies are the best!

[Ashstud]

Of course they are!!!!

Do you have him on any sort of a special diet Anti?