By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Molly the three-legged pony leaves smiles wherever she goes. Her prosthetic right front hoof has a smiley face on the sole.

The bigger impressions this 19-year-old pony leaves, though, are left on the lives of young children who have been confronted with severe illness or injury. Recently, Molly made stops at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cincinnati. Molly’s sweet disposition and tale of her survival brings smiles to ailing children wherever she goes.

Molly survived Hurricane Katrina four years ago without a scratch. But her owners abandoned her. Molly and five other horses were left to fend for themselves.

Kaye Harris, a pony ride owner, adopted this 400-pound Appaloosa-Shetland mix and took Molly to her New Orleans farm to join her stable of 22 horses.

Tragedy struck, though, when Harris left the farm for 30 minutes to run to the post office. Harris never knew at the time that a starving pit bull entered the pen. Molly was attacked by the pit bull, requiring 17 staples to her jaw and five stitches to her belly. All four legs were attacked. Molly survived the attack, but her right front hoof did not.

“Her legs looked like they had been in a meat grinder,” Harris said.
Harris went to bat for Molly, requesting amputation and a prosthesis. Harris contacted veterinarians at Louisiana State University, who first tended to Molly’s leg. Molly remained at LSU for three weeks.

Performing the two-hour surgery that required amputation and a prosthesis was Dr. Rustin Moore, now chairman of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University. The surgery was a success. One month later Molly made her first visit to a children’s hospital.
“I was skeptical when I first got the call from those veterinarians (at LSU),” Moore said. “But it was Molly who convinced me to perform the surgery and give her a prosthesis because she knew how to take care of herself. She had already learned how to shift her weight and lean on trees and sides of buildings to keep from damaging her healthy legs. For months she hobbled around on three legs.”

Harris agreed.

“She’s been three-legged since the time of the attack and she taught herself to work on three legs,” Harris said. “She’s not the first horse in the U.S. to receive a prosthesis, but she’s likely to be the most well-known.”

Indeed. Harris receives numerous requests each week to take Molly to hospitals, clinics and even nursing homes. Those who meet Molly are inspired by her ability to survive a tragedy.

“We’ve had requests from the Wounded Warriors Program and we’ve been asked to attend the World Equestrian Games in Lexington next year,” Harris said. “Molly visits anyone who could use her quiet wisdom and inspiration. She has impacted and inspired many people of all ages and abilities.

“But I won’t push her beyond a certain point. My first concern is Molly’s comfort and I won’t compromise that.”

A children’s book was written about Molly and her story has traveled around the world. A nonprofit foundation called “Kids and Ponies – Molly’s Foundation” was formed to care for Molly and other retirees or rescued ponies for the rest of the animals’ lives as well as support Molly’s work with those who need her inspiration.

Molly has made stops in Ohio, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas. Harris is hoping to take Molly across the country, but in order to do so she’s on the lookout for a trailer, one with a ramp, walk-through door and small living quarters. She also needs a truck big enough to pull the trailer. As of now Harris uses a borrowed trailer and pickup truck to make her many stops.

“It’s important to bring Molly to all the people who want to meet her and be inspired by her,” Harris said. “We’d like to oblige all the requests, but our only hindrance has been transportation. What would really be ideal would be to have a sponsor.”

For more information visit the Molly the Pony website at www.mollythepony.com or Kaye Harris may be reached by writing to 156 Bertucci Lane, St. Rose, LA 70087 or by calling 504-610-1943.

Published on Oct. 7, 2009