Fiona

Height:  15.o hh (est) 
Weight: 1,000 lbs (est)
DOB:  2023 (est)
Sex:  Filly
Color:  Buckskin
Breed:  Grade
​​DNA:  1st Tennessee Walker
2nd Quarter Horse
3rd Hanoverian
Adoption Fee:  $750
Category:  Young Horses

Fiona's Story

Fiona came to AAE the end of February 2026 via law enforcement as a result of a neglect situation at a boarding facility. She had large, old wound on her right foreleg that was likely not being treated prior to seizure. Fiona was seen by vet and treated at a local shelter, and she was mauling her bandage/wrap. She was transferred to AAE for ongoing care and her chance at a better future. She haltered and loaded willingly at the shelter, and she traveled quietly back to AAE.

In some ways, Fiona was very calm and confident, suggesting she'd had quite a bit of handling, and in other ways, little experience, like with hoof handling. Her hooves were long, and she wasn't a fan. That said, Fiona is a big, sweet 2023 filly with a very sassy side.  Initially, she was very protective of wound  cleaning, treating, and wrapping, and kicking and biting was part of her MO. She wasn't fond of wound treatment puts it lightly; she needed sedation for wound treatment for quite a while. With time, we learned that she had a deep drainage tract above her carpus joint, and it was causing considerable fluid build-up above and around the joint. Fortunately, further diagnostics didn't identify any structural damage, but she had substantial swelling, and it's very slowly reducing.

After the wound resolved a bit, Fiona had her basic care needs (hoof and dental care, remaining vaccines, and deworming, and she got a microchip). She's been working on basic handling and ground manners while healing, and her "sassy" is becoming a much more agreeable girl. Most of her sass involves food these days, but with consistency and firm boundaries, she's improving. For the most part, she's a kind and willing filly. Due to her injury/healing, she's been housed in her own paddock. 

Though she didn't seem to have much hoof handling experience when she arrived, she's improved a ton, and she's doing well with the farrier. She leads well, and she enjoys grooming. Once she has a recheck, and she's cleared for more work, we'll continue her progress with groundwork and saddle introductions.

Fiona's next vet visit will help determine how we'll move forward. Because the swelling over her carpus joint hasn't reduced entirely, she may have some long term limitations if the swelling persists. Stay tuned!

In general, there is a lot of activity around AAE including vehicle and foot traffic in and out of paddock/pasture areas, mucking with wheelbarrows, grooming and care activities, tractor and trailering, weekly farrier visits.  There are resident dogs, cats, goats, cows, and mini horses, as well as various wildlife including frequent turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, deer, coyote, and bobcats in and around paddock/pasture areas.  A portion of AAE is situated along a highway with high speed vehicles, trucks, and sirens.  Tractors are used in and around pasture/paddock areas, trucks deliver feed, and a squeeze is occasionally used for unloading hay.  Horses at AAE are accustomed to a more active environment as opposed to a quiet/sterile environment. Some do well; others will do better in a more quiet environment.​

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