Disabled pony inspires children's picture book
Sunday, March 06, 2005
By LINDA LISANTI
The Express-Times
POHATCONG TWP. -- Every horse at Mylestone Equine Rescue has a story.
There's Sweet Pea, who was rescued from an owner who said it was a hassle to feed her.
There's Rose, who was taken in from a stable where she was being forced to give riding lessons three to five hours per day, six days a week, without adequate food.
There's Linus, who before coming to Mylestone, lived five to 10 years in a 2-foot wide by 3-foot long stall, where he was given a sip of water and handful of food every other day.
Local author Loren Spiotta-DiMare said she could write a book about any one of them. But she chose Madeline.
"Madeline's Miracle," the fourth children's picture book written by
Spiotta-DiMare of Tewksbury is in stores now. The book follows Madeline, a disabled pony only able to walk on three legs, who was taken in by Mylestone about four years ago.
Prior to being rescued, she had broken her elbow, but was never treated by a veterinarian, so she learned to walk on three legs.
While at Mylestone, Madeline was befriended by some local children who raised money so she could undergo surgery and be fitted with a brace to regain some use of her fourth leg.
Spiotta-DiMare, who has been writing for nearly 30 years, said she first learned of Mylestone roughly three years ago. She was serving on the board of the Tewksbury Trail Association when one of the fellow members suggested sponsoring a Mylestone horse.
A self-proclaimed animal lover, she visited the horse rescue to find out more about it and was immediately struck by their efforts. "I really admire what they do for the horses," Spiotta-DiMare said, adding that many they rescue live there the rest of their lives.
It was then she had the idea to write a book about a horse living at Mylestone. She told founder, Susankelly Thompson, of her plan and Thompson told her about Madeline.
Thompson, who runs the rescue operation on her farm, said Madeline's story is so striking because she has endured and survived in the face of incredible odds. Other horses walking on three legs had to be put down, she said. But Madeline, amazingly, has adapted.
Spiotta-DiMare said she wanted a story that would really appeal to children. With Madeline's tale, she said, kids reading the book can see that they, too, can help an animal in need.
"Sometimes, people see the title and think her surgery is the miracle," Spiotta-DiMare said. "The real miracle is how adults and children rallied around Madeline to help her."
Now a little more famous, Madeline still resides at the Pohatcong Township rescue. She walks on her injured leg, not every step, but much more than she did, Thompson said. "She does amazingly well with it," she said. "She runs in the snow. She's happy. She's got a real happy-go-lucky sort of attitude."
Thompson said the special-needs children who regularly visit the rescue can especially relate to the horse's disability. The real miracle of Madeline, she said, is that she touched so many lives.
Thompson hopes everyone who reads the book will be moved by Madeline's courage, her spirit to live and her will to survive. "She's an amazing horse," she said.
For more information about Mylestone, call 908-995-9300 or visit www.mylestone.org.
Reporter Linda Lisanti can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at llisanti@express-times.com.
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