Just when Cosmo was settling into Sanctuary life, his journey took an unexpected turn—one that tested our hearts, our hopes, and our commitment to helping animals who need a little extra care.
A Worrisome Morning
One morning, we noticed Cosmo dragging his back right leg. His stifle had locked.
We’d seen this before in a mini pony and knew what to do—Banamine to reduce inflammation and gentle backing to encourage the joint to release. Thankfully, it slipped back into place.
But the next morning… it happened again.
When Hope Meets Hard Truths
We’ll be honest—we were nervous.
Cosmo represented something deeply meaningful to us. He was part of our dream for Heal to Home, a new path we’re building to help animals with complex needs receive daily care, safety, and stability while still having a chance at a loving future.
With so many animals suffering, our team specializes in the tough cases—but we also knew Cosmo might benefit from a partner who excels at placing horses into incredible forever homes.
Calling in the Best
So we reached out to our friends at Healing Hearts—experts at matching horses with the perfect families. They didn’t hesitate for a second. They were thrilled to help.
Still, Cosmo’s locking stifle weighed heavily on our minds. Would this affect his chances?
With hearts in our throats, we shared our concerns.
Relief We’ll Never Forget
Healing Hearts responded immediately—with photos of another pony who has the same condition and even a small obstacle course they use to keep him strong and prevent locking.
The relief we felt is hard to put into words.
Cosmo wasn’t alone. And he wasn’t without options.
A Plan for Long-Term Comfort
With renewed confidence, Dr. Metcalf moved forward with a plan to support Cosmo long-term. Both stifles were injected with hyaluronic acid to help lubricate the joints and reduce inflammation.
While he was under care, Cosmo also had his teeth floated. And after 30 full days off antibiotics, his quarantine officially ended!
One Last Day of Joy
Cosmo spent his final day with us doing what he loves most—running, playing, and soaking up life with our other mini ponies. Watching him zoom around, full of joy and curiosity, was everything.
Off to Arizona
Tonight, Cosmo is on his way to Arizona—and a whole new adventure awaits.
We are beyond excited to watch this little bear continue to thrive and endlessly grateful to everyone who helped make his journey possible. Cosmo’s story is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see where he lands—and how many more lives we’ll be able to help because of it.
