Grace
Adopted by Kerry Quinn-Senger on 1557446400
I first saw Grace in a photo taken at a kill pen in Pennsylvania, where she was waiting to be shipped to slaughter. She was Hip 310 (the number of the tag on her hip from the kill pen). It was April 2019 and Hidden Pond Farm Equine Rescue was having a fundraiser to cover her bail. I have to admit that she was not what I had in mind for my first horse. I knew nothing of her background and she didn’t look well.
At first I just wanted to help. To get her out of danger. After paying her bail, she stayed in quarantine for 3 months with a bad case of strangles. I kept checking in on her and after a few weeks I decided that I wanted to continue the journey with her as my horse. I adopted her on May 10, 2019, which was 4 days after my birthday.
Grace came up to New Hampshire in July 2019 and I began boarding her at Hidden Pond Farm. Phyllis and many other volunteers helped me to get Grace settled and assess her capabilities and level of training.
Within 2 months, Grace came down with uveitis that quickly evolved into a serious case that affected both of her eyes. For months, she required multiple doses of medications everyday in her eyes and in her feed. She underwent surgery to have cyclosporine implants placed into her eyes to hopefully prevent future episodes of uveitis. It looked like it might work, but the long course of topical steroid treatment led to irreparable damage to her left eye and, regretfully, it had to be removed in February of 2020.
Grace had to learn how to get around with one eye, and I must admit, she’s handled it quite well. Her remaining eye has stayed healthy so far. Now that the pain of her ordeal is over, Grace’s personality seems to be coming out. She seems to love people and is a very sweet and gentle horse. Grace has taught me to appreciate the good things in life, and she continues to teach me how to let go of things that I cannot control.
I am so appreciative of Phyllis for never giving up and being so vigilant in Grace’s care during her battle with uveitis. I’m also so thankful for all the volunteers at Hidden Pond Farm who have been a part of Grace’s journey and who have offered me so much good advice.
I am so fortunate to have found Hidden Pond Farm and Phyllis. It’s truly a wonderful place.
