Koda the dwarf horse - 2

We went to visit Koda the dwarf horse:
Dwarf horse Koda beats odds
By Kelly Ryan From: Herald Sun August 06, 2009 12:01AM
HE may be Australia's smallest horse, but his personality is as big as a Clydesdale.
Koda is smaller than a labrador, weighs just 35kg and can travel on the front seat of a car.
He lives at the Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital in Victoria, where he mixes with pets great and small. First-time customers think he is a battery-operated soft toy.
He's cheeky, cute, sweet and obviously believes himself to be as big as a normal horse.
Koda was always meant to be small, being an American miniature.
But he is also a dwarf.
Koda was diagnosed soon after birth.
"He was no bigger than a cat," said vet Andy Lynch.
His condition is rare but Koda is unique in that he is still alive after 12 months - and thriving despite a barrage of health problems and major surgical procedures. Many more are planned.
"He had a punky look, a fuzzy forelock and his mane stuck up like a mohawk," Dr Lynch said.
His bottom jaw stuck out, he had upturned nostrils and a wrinkled nose.
Below his little round tummy, his shortened legs constantly buckled.
Koda's poor prognosis left Dr Lynch with little doubt he should be put down.
But veterinary nurse Karen Stephenson, 23, was amazed by the gutsy, plucky personality in the pint-sized pony.
"I'd never seen a miniature horse and I just thought him amazing," she said.
"I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him and thought he deserved a go at some good quality life, so I took him on."
Dr Lynch has performed about $10,000 worth of leg surgery on Koda, but the bill is expected to top $30,000. The next step is major dentistry to remove adult teeth that will never fit in his little mouth.
He has recovered well from every operation so far and takes his medicine like a "little man", Dr Lynch said.
http://www.news.com.au/national/dwarf-horse-koda-beats-odds/story-e6frfkvr-12...

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Pets & Animals

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• dwarf
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