​                                                      Glencadam Shetland Ponies - Alba

 Samson of Chapelhill  arrived at Glencadam December 4th 2010. He was taken "without viewing" and in "good faith" Initially on his arrival he was very subdued but was able to whinny repeatedly. As the afternoon passed and dusk was coming in it became apparent that he had been drugged to transport. My quiet pony was a nervous wreck, bolted whenever you went near him, kicked out and was totally unhandleable. Being in the stable we decided to let him settle overnight and see what morning brought to us.

 

Having left his headcollar on overnight, I attached a dog lead to his D Ring and cut the lead so there was enough to grab a hold of should I need it later! To gain his trust in me, I would crawl along the ground then gingerly reach up for the small length of lead attached to the headcollar. In all this took at least a minute, then myself and my husband narrowed this down over the coming weeks to virtually a second with the help of polo mints!

 

As time went on, Samson gained his trust in me, my husband and the farriers, although, he had to be fully sedated  Intravenously for the basic of trims. He had severe issues when it came to hoof trimming. It transpires that in his 25yrs, he had at least 20 homes, being passed from pillar to post as a stud pony serving mares with little or no regard paid to his general wellbeing.

 

With my concerns mounting over several issues I had in relation to his health I called my vet out to do a complete examination under full sedation. Samsons teeth were rasped, he had his nasal passages swabbed to rule out strangles and his lovely mane had to be shaved off completely due to swellings he had that were erupting. The wounds on his neck that appeared and had burst -  similar to those on his sides were shaved and treated. X-rays were then taken of his nasal passage as he had pungent green discharge oozing from both nostrils on occassion.

 

The x-ray results showed that Samson had blockages with suspected pneumonia and the only way this could be rectified was to have him as an "In patient" at Ardene House in Aberdeenshire to have holes bored to allow the nose to clear. Given his age, his trust issues and insecurities, and having discussed in great length with my vet, we decided we would not put him through this but instead allow him to lead a comfortable retiral life as best he could with quality of life.

 

Im pleased to say that Samson found his long awaited loving "forever home" with us, and we were touched to see him blossom and saved from the "Nothing he had become" into a proud looking stallion again that had gained trust in humans, knew what it felt like to be loved and to have a daily routine of feeding, grooming, bonding and companionship, not to mention a birthday party.

 

Sadly, after 10 short months with us and having had his 25th Birthday in June, Samson was eased of his arthritis, pains and pneumonia that had re-surfaced. A heartbreaking decision, we felt the time had come and that we had to allow him to cross over Rainbow Bridge with dignity on October 10th 2011. It was the least he deserved and the final act of kindness I could show and give him.

 

A Very special  pony   - Samson will always have his place at Glencadam - in soul, spirit and memory.

Forever missed and forever in our hearts.