[canis,]

We recently got an urgent call from the local authorities. It seems that they were called in after a recent sighting of a very skinny, odd-looking horse left out in the freezing cold. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered a huge Kleeare stable to be abandoned. The Kleeare were simply left, some in the pasture, some trapped in their stalls. And all extremely emaciated. We responded quickly, arriving at the stable and assessing the condition of each Kleeare. The sight shocked us, but we did not fret. We brought each one of the Kleeare back to our place, where they were evaluated by our veterinarian. Some cases were more extreme than others, but all of them had the chance to be saved. That's where you step in...

Hm, this Kleeare seems to be in better shape than most. Still, she is far underweight, and will need some TLC.

Username; ArtGirl
Name; Nina
Gender; Mare
Coat Colour; Light (White) Grey
Genotype; ee/aa/GG/Frfr/StSt

[ArtGirl]

Kleeare Name; Nina (Native American for "Strong")
Gender; Female

#1;
First Meeting:

I jumped out of my chair as the truck pulled into the driveway. "She's finally here!" I though as I walked down to meet them. The driver pulled the trailer around to the barn and got out. I watch with anticipations as he opened the trailer and started leading her out. I was shocked at her condition but knew she would be alright after a few weeks.
I took the lead rope from the handler and slowly went to stroke her forehead. "Hello Nina. Welcome home." I said watching her reaction. She didn't move and just stood there slightly shaking like she didn't even notice my presence. I watched her for a moment then slowly started leading her into the barn. I didn't even have to pull before she started walking with me. "Must have some training." I though to myself as I was walking.
She hardly lifted her hooves as she walked and stumble a few times over uneven spots in the gravel. I looked down at her hooves and new that was the next project on the list. They were overgrown and cracking, most likely causing a lot of pain.
I slowly lead her into the barn and towards her stall, passed the tack room and the office. She flinched a little as we walked so I stopped for a moment. She seamed OK so I started through the hall again and would look into it later once she was settled. We walked past the arena and through another hall before getting to her stall. Storm and Mist nickered and stuck there heads out of there stalls to great the newcomer. I greeted them with a friendly pat and looked back at Nina. She just stood there with no reaction to there presence. "Hopefully that will also fade away with time." I though.

#2;
Welcome Home:

I lead her into her stall that I filled with fresh straw before she arrived. I slipped the halter off of her head and hooked it to the stall door. Nina shook her head happy to get the halter off. I turned around and went to scratch her neck but she flinched when I touched her. I looked at her neck and it had a very red sore, probably from the halter she had when they rescued her.
I put some medication on it and gave her some hay. She ate some of the hay then just stood there in her stall. I though it would be best just to let her be for the night so she could rest so I brushed her off a little then left.

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#3;
A Spoonful of Sugar:

"She's getting better." I said to Mist who was curiously watching me give Nina her shot from a distant stall. I had been mostly giving her injections of antibiotics and some vitamins because of how weak she was. I didn't want her wasting what little energy she had just because she didn't want to take some meds.
Today was the day though. She was doing a lot better now and had more energy. She wasn't just standing around now but she's started to explore around her stall and she's even called to Storm and the other horses a couple times. She's also started getting used to me peaking out of the stall when I come and nudging me looking for treats.
I walked out of the stall and got a tube full of some apple flavored vitamin jelly. I walked into the stall and gave it to her. As soon as I did she shook and put her ears back spitting out as much of the jelly as she could. I waited a moment hoping that she just had to get used to it, then tried it one more time with what was left only to get the same reaction.
I decided to let her be for the day and try again tomorrow. She was already tired and wasting energy would only make things worse.
Later I went out to the apple tree in the field to collect some apples for a pie. I also got some for Nina and the horses as a treat. It took a bit but I had finally collected a bucket full of them. I walked to the house and set some of them in the kitchen, then I started walking the others into the barn. I took some out and put them in each feeder. Suka watch until I left and ran up to eat them, drool dripping from his mouth.
I finish with Nina's stall and watch there reactions. All of them started devouring them except for Nina. She walked over to them curiously but put her ears back and started rolling them around, knocking one out of the feeder. Curious I broke a chunk off and tried to give it to her. She walked over thinking it was one of her treats but smelled it and walked away. "That's it!", I thought and left.
The next morning I tried again except this time with a unflavored one. I gave it to her and she took it without a problem even with the bitter taste. From then on I gave her the regular knowing she doesn't like apples.

#4;
Making Friends:

I noticed Nina was getting bored in her stall now that she was felling better so I let her go play in the pasture next to the horses. She was so happy to be out. The first thing she did was start running along the fence jump and prancing around. After a little bit she called to Storm, Mist, and Suka who were grazing up on the hill. Storm and Mist called back but Suka ran over to greet her. Not to long after he made it over they were running up and down the fence playing chase and grazing together. I think there going to be good friends.

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#5;
Exercise Routine:

I finished brushing Nina down and gave her a friendly pat. It's been three weeks now since I got her and she's doing very well. She loves playing in the field next to Suka, playing chase up and down the fence. It seems like there chasing each other more and more each day. I've also been taking her on trail ride by tying her to Storm's saddle. She loves the time outside and she seems a lot happier. I'm very proud of her and how far she's come.
Today I decided though to try to introduce riding to her. I think she can handle it and even though I think she's done it before I'll starting slow to help her get used to it without it being too much for her all at once.
I calmly clipped a lead rope to her halter and lead her to the arena. She calmly followed like she normally did but pulled back and nickered to Suka as we walked by his stall. I softly tugged on the lead and she continued but looking back to see if she could see him. To my surprise she also started curiously looking through the halls as we walked.
We got to the arena and I tied her the post inside. She looked around and stood there quiet. I gave her a treat which she gladly took, then I went to get her tack.
I got out my starter English tack and a mint saddle blanket that I had got not to long ago for her. I though it would be good to start her on my starter tack set because it was lighter and a little smaller then the usual tack. I also used it for training Storm and Mist and had better luck with it.
I walked out of the tack room and back to the arena, setting the saddle and bridle on a saw horse just in the gate. I calmly walked the mint saddle blanket over to her but as I got close she got frightened and started trying to get loose. I set it down and walked over to calm her down. It took a bit but she finally calmed and I was able to bring the blanket up to her. She cautiously examined it and I gave her a treat. After a while I was able to get her to accept the blanket and got it on her. She was still a little spooked still but she started calming down and soon didn't mind the blanket. I gave her a friendly pat, took off the blanket and gave her another treat.
The next day I decided to try the saddle and see her reaction. I took it off the saw horse and started walking it towards her. The moment she saw it she got frightened and started frantically running around the post trying to get away. I was able to calm her down after awhile and kept trying with no luck. Finally with us both exhausted I gave up and took her back to rest. I tried for days with no luck. The only time I had ever seen something like this was with abused riding horses.
After two weeks of trying everything I could think of I finally got her to accept the saddle. I knew that she trusts Suka so I had her in the arena while I was saddle breaking him for a couple days. After he accepted it I tried it with her leaving him in the arena with her. It took awhile but exhausted I finally got the saddle on her.
A few days later with a lot of time and patients I also got a bridle on her and she was doing good. The next week I spent mostly finding out what she knew. Turns out she loves trail rides and she's a great jumper. With some training she could be a good show jumper. The first time she was very shy of the jumps but that was to be expected after how she reacted to a saddle. After a bit though she was flying over the jumps like a bird. "This next year could be fun." I said smiling.

#6;
Final Evaluation:

I lead her into the field after her morning jumping practice. She's doing incredibly better than she was when I got her, almost as if she's a new Kleeare.
She is now a pretty normal weight and she has her strength back. Her hair is neat and brushed and her hooves have been cut and the cracks have healed.
She has been taking her meds with ease and still hates apples in any form. She is friends with all of the horses but she's best friends with Suka and has helped me in his training. She is not afraid of her tack or the jump equipment anymore and actually looks forward to trail rides and her jumping exercises.
We have also built up a strong relationship and she trusts me now even though some of her old habits kick up now and then. I would say she's made a complete recovery.

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