Doc  the sweetest old gentleman you could ever hope to meet. He greets you at the gate with gentle whinnies and soft nickers, absolutely loving every moment he’s brushed. He even wraps his neck around your waist like a warm hug, all while nuzzling your leg affectionately. Doc is calm and laid-back—the kind of pony that feels like a dream come true.

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However, Doc does have a fear of men. He’s easily startled by them and will often turn and head back to his barn if given the chance. We believe this fear stems from past negative experiences with men, and we are patiently working to rebuild his trust and help him overcome this anxiety.

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Doc’s Story

Once a show pony, Doc's life took a tragic turn when his owner passed away suddenly, leaving him alone to fend for himself. He was then bought by a horse trader who hoped to fatten him up and resell him. At that time, Doc was severely underweight and suffering from full curl hooves. Tragically, his hooves were crudely trimmed with a sawsall, removing nearly half of them.

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Realizing Doc wasn't a quick fix, the trader tried to sell him—and that’s where our paths crossed. My first thought was, “This pony is barely alive. He can hardly walk and barely has any teeth. And she wants a fortune for him?” Despite my doubts, I couldn’t leave him there. So, I paid what was asked and brought him home.

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Since September, Doc has received dedicated veterinary care and regular hoof trims. When he first arrived, he spent most of his time lying down and walking in slow, careful steps. Honestly, I wasn’t sure he would make it. But now, he’s taking confident, long strides—and even gets a little sprightly sometimes with a trot here and there!

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Doc still has a long road ahead. His severe weight loss is complicated by PPID, also known as Cushing’s Disease, and his poor nutrition habits, including eating his own feces due to malnourishment. Missing most of his molars, he can’t chew hay or grass, so he’s on a special mash diet, which he’s not a big fan of. Adding to the challenge, his medication suppresses his appetite, making it tough to get enough food into him. Muscle wasting from Cushing’s means weight gain is painfully slow, but with ongoing care and patience, we are hopeful.

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What I’ve learned about Doc is that he has an incredible will to survive. The veterinarian has aged Doc at "well over 25 years"  and he absolutely deserves to spend his days surrounded by love, peace, and comfort.