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Now hear this: Horses can and do survive on three legs. Most will survive amputation surgery. Prosthetic limbs can be built and fitted for a horse's leg. Owners and caretakers are capable of removing and re-attaching the device.

But it's not something you hear about every day. If Dr. Ted Vlahos has his way, that's all about to change.

Following the success of the #1 best-selling children's book, Molly the Pony, this summer, many people shook their heads in wonderment and said, "Amazing!" "A miracle!" "What a breakthrough!"

But to a group of hard-working veterinarians who have been perfecting the procedure of equine limb amputation and prosthetic therapy, Molly wasn't as much a miracle as she was the poster child that they needed to make the veterinary world take a second look at amputation as a viable alternative for salvaging injured horses who might otherwise be euthanized.

Molly the Pony Molly the Pony isn't alone in the spotlight anymore. This week, the well-known Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah unveiled their new resident, a three-legged buckskin Quarter horse mare named Riley. When Riley hobbled into Best Friends last spring, she was knuckling over on one hind leg, and the shelter opted for fusion surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful and the mare suffered from infection.

Enter Dr. Ted Vlahos of Sheridan Equine Hospital in Wyoming. For years, he has been working on amputation cases with Dr. Barrie Grant in California and Dr. Ric Redden in Kentucky. Together, they could fill a stable with their successful cases. Vlahos had the mare sent to Wyoming, where he performed the amputation surgery and tended to the mare's recovery.

Riley returned to the Best Friends horse facility with her new leg and her new outlook on life. Dr. Vlahos instructed the staff on how to care for her and the prosthetic limb.

Riley will live out the rest of her days at the Sanctuary, where she will be treated, for the most part, like any other horse, albeit one who requires a few extra steps in her stable routine. The Sanctuary hopes that Riley's good health and mobility will be a feather in Vlahos's cap, and encourage more veterinarians to seek amputation options for horses who might otherwise have only one option.

Note: If the name of Best Friends sounds familiar, there's a reason. They are certainly a high-profile animal sanctuary organization in their own right, but they were in the news this summer for successfully rehabilitating 22 of the pit bulls confiscated in a dog fighting raid at the home of football star Michael Vick.

Be Inspired by Molly, the 3 legged horse - she has a purpose!

Meet Molly. She’s a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana, USA.

She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.

<< The Doctors who were determined to save Molly's life

But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on diff- erent sides so she didn’t seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didn’t overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there.

“This was the right horse and the right owner,” Moore insists. Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. She’s tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood (that) she was in trouble. The other important factor, according to Moore, is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse.

Molly’s story turns into a parable for life in post-Katrina Louisiana. The little pony gained weight, her mane felt a comb. A human prosthesis designer built her a leg.

The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life, Allison Barca DVM, Molly’s regular vet, reports. And she asks for it! She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too.” And sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca. “It can be pretty bad when you can’t catch a three-legged horse,” she laughs. Molly

Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope.

Wherever Molly went, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people. And she had a good time doing it.

<< a smiley face on the bottom of Molly's prosthesis

“It’s obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life”, Moore said, “She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others.” “She’s not back to normal,” Barca concluded, “but she’s going to be better. To me, she could be a symbol for New Orleans itself.”

This is Molly’s most recent prosthesis. The left side photo shows the ground surface that she stands on, which a smiley face has embossed in it. Wherever Molly goes, she leaves a smiley hoof print behind!

left -Molly with her cast at home after surgery.
right -Molly with her new leg

As you can see by the picture Molly is doing exceptionally well.The prosthesis is now being worn by Molly daily. She is able to move quite easily and has accepted her new leg with pride

<< Molly offering her leg for the prosthesis

A book about Molly is available now.
Written by By Pam Kaster Published April 2008 "Molly the Pony - a True Story" is a laminated hard cover book perfect for children. Molly's story has a message of courage and hope. Great for people facing amputation challenges, or just a good lesson in life for everyone.

For more information and to order this book
- click here