Misty, a 10-year-old Shetland pony, came into our care in December 2020 after her previous owner became too ill to continue caring for her. From the very beginning, she showed us her gentle nature—calm during grooming, easy to walk, and kind with other horses and animals. As she began to gain much-needed weight and settle into her new surroundings, we were hopeful that her future would be filled with comfort, companionship, and a loving forever home.
We found her the perfect home with an older Shetland Pony just down the road from us. She was pampered and her new family was falling for this sweet girl. But just a few months later, Misty faced an unexpected and devastating challenge.
In February 2021, Misty became critically ill with severe Colic. She showed all the classic signs—refusing food and water, elevated heart rate, fever, and visible pain. Despite several days of intensive local veterinary care, including treatments to help move a blockage, further diagnostics revealed the cause: a massive accumulation of sand in her colon, roughly the size of a football.
Her condition was dire.
Misty was transported to Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, where she received round-the-clock ICU care. She underwent repeated procedures, sedation, IV fluids, and pain management as the team worked tirelessly to help her overcome the blockage. The cost of her care quickly climbed into the thousands, but thanks to incredible support from our community, we were able to give her a real fighting chance.
For a brief time, it seemed like she might pull through.
Misty began eating, drinking, and showing glimpses of her sweet personality again—greeting us with soft whinnies and gentle head tosses at feeding time. Those moments gave us hope.
But tragically, her condition took a turn for the worse.
She began to reflux, indicating that the blockage and internal damage—likely caused by years of sand accumulation and resulting inflammation—were too severe. Because horses cannot vomit, this created a life-threatening situation with the risk of stomach rupture. Despite every medical and compassionate effort to keep her comfortable and give her time to recover, she was not responding.
On March 7, 2021, with heavy hearts, we made the painful decision to let Misty go peacefully.
She was only 10 years old. A life that should have held many more years of grazing, companionship, and joy was cut far too short. While we couldn’t give her the long future she deserved, we were able to give her love, care, and dignity in her final chapter—and a true chance to fight.
Misty’s story is one of both sorrow and purpose. It reminds us why rescue work matters, even when the outcome isn’t what we hope for. Because of the support, compassion, and generosity of so many, Misty was not alone. She was cared for, valued, and deeply loved.
Though Misty did not find her forever home, she will always be part of our journey—reminding us to keep going, to keep helping, and to give every horse the chance they deserve.
