By JIM WILLIAMSON

Texarkana Gazette





TEXARKANA – A homeless Shetland pony, blind in the right eye with a deformed right leg because of a collision with a vehicle, is still alive probably because of stubbornness.

The Shetland pony has been rescued by neighbors of the late D.W. Wilson, the ARTEX Animal Welfare Association Inc. and Connie Slater, an animal control officer for the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department.

The capture of the pony June 12 will give it a chance to feel love again, Slater said.

For about three years the Shetland pony has roamed over about 90 acres on the east side of Texarkana, Ark., between Old Post Road and Joey Lane, surviving like any wild animal.

Wilson died in 2006 in a car accident, said ARTEX President Dixie Wilson (no relationship).

When he died, D.W. Wilson was caring for several other animals including horses and the Shetland pony.

His family thought they had relocated all of the animals, but didn’t realize the pony was still alive and roaming through the woods.

“The horse had been hit by a car when it was young and Mr. Wilson rescued it. He also rescued other animals. A vet put the horse down, but he didn’t want to. Most of the neighbors validated Mr. Wilson saved the horse,” said Dixie Wilson.

“The horse, now 18 years old, had significant injuries to its right rear leg and learned to live with the injury, but still got around,” Wilson said.

“The family was supposed to locate all the animals and move them. Several people were aware of the horses and thought all of them were taken care of. The pony just fell through the cracks,” she said.

Since 2006, the pony roamed from pasture to pasture trying to find grass and water, Wilson said.

Neighbors saw the pony roaming on the property and eventually contacted Slater.

“She spent a lot of time talking to the neighbors and they all got attached to the pony, but were unable to catch him,” Wilson said of Slater.

People would see the pony on nearby roads creating hazards to itself and traffic, she said. The pony was captured with the help of neighbors and Slater.

“We could see him limping and knew he was crippled, but he could run. He was quick and was a loner. He was also lonely,” Slater said.

“He could maneuver a patch of woods. He knew the woods like you know the back of your hands,” she said. “He is smart enough to run right and left and then he could hide in the brush and in the shadows. He would stand real still and we couldn’t see him.”

Residents of the area helped with the pony’s rescue.

“A neighbor had a golf cart and we would use it following his trails. We have been past this one place about four times and I saw his white tail move and he was in the brush staring at us,” Slater said. “He has been skittish of people. He would let people see him and they didn’t know the extent of his injuries.”

Maggots had gotten into the sore on his back and in an ear.

“Citizens on four-wheelers caught him and tied him up, but by the time I got out there, he had broken loose. The second time a neighbor on a fourwheeler helped to catch and tied him to a tree,” Slater said.

“He fought us a little bit. His little feet were so deformed, we couldn’t get him to step up on the trailer with his back legs because of the deformed hoofs.”

But he was finally loaded into the trailer and taken to the animal shelter.

“Connie and the neighbors went above and beyond with her job and catching the pony,” Wilson said.

Atlanta, Texas, veterinarian Dr. Jim Kunkel examined the pony and tested its blood. The tests showed no other ailments.

Kunkel told Dixie Wilson the pony had already learned how to function with the deformities, and the sores on the pony’s back could be treated.

John Burke, a master farrier, repaired the deformed hoofs. That should eventually improve the pony’s quality of life, Wilsonsaid.

A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of a horse’s hoof and the placing of shoes to the horse’s feet.

“It’s amazing what he can do for the pony,” Wilson said. “We’ve come across some phenomenal and extraordinary people who help animals.”

Slater also praised the help of organizations and the neighborhood.

“I owe Dr. Kunkel a big thank you and to Dixie. I tease her like she is my mom. I call her and say, Hey, Mom, I need this,”’ Slater said.

“They’ve always helped me and John Burke is a master. He makes it look easy. It’s easier when you have good organizations and people to help rescue animals,” Slater said.

ARTEX will take care of the pony, but prefers to have someone adopt it.

Wilson has named the pony “Trae and Joy.” The trey is her term for three-legged and the joy the pony can provide.

“If somone wants to love the pony, he will be a perfect pet. It would be good for children, but they couldn’t ride him. He needs to be loved and spoiled,” Wilson said.

It’s time for the pony to finally feel love, Slater said.

“He has been a loner for a long time. All animals need to know love,” Slater said. “It’s important with every animal. They shouldn’t die not having someone to love them.

“I used to be a euthanizer at the animal shelter and I don’t like to see any animal put down,” she said. “He needs to know love.

“He has come a long way since we first chased him in the woods.”

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Information from: Texarkana Gazette, http://www.texarkanagazette.com