July 2022 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN July 2022 Page 5 line is that she is just too precious to take the chance of something happening to her out in the wild,” she said. “We love her.” Over the years, Tipson Myers has been a friend to the fire company. She’s hauled foals to treatment facilities for them and delivered hay for the ponies. When asked if she wanted to take the foal, she was quick to respond. “The nice thing about renting a house right next door to the carnival grounds [is that] I got to see her quite often,” Myers said. “Like many oth- er people, I was very excited about her joining the Virginia herd. I just happened to be on the island when the saltwater cowboys brought her over from the Maryland side.” Myers said she was impressed by the care Moonbeam received. “The saltwater cowboys and their veterinarian, George Marble did an amazing job assisting Moon- beam with her recovery. However, it was determined that the hoof would need a lot of corrective trimming. That is something that would be very difficult to do with a pony living in the wild. Since I had worked with them on other pony projects, I was very honored that they chose me to give Moonbeam a forever home.” As soon as the announce- ment was made on social media, Myers began getting messages from Moonbeam’s Maryland fans. She felt it important to reassure them, so she created a Moonbeam Facebook page. “I was relieved that she would be in a good home and not in the wild,” McKibbon said of Moon- beam’s move. “That [Tipson] took her on because she cared about how we felt, meant the world to me. I plan to visit her in the fall.” Myers said Moonbeam is doing well. “Currently she is being trimmed every four weeks by my farrier, Scott Sims. She has made great progress and the hoof is looking better with each trim,” she said. “She is now halter broke and leading like a pro. She’s sweet and loves scratches. That’s how I won her over, lots of scratching!” Veterinarian Allison Dotzel boards her Chincoteague Pony at Stony Creek Chincoteagues. She’s the farm vet and a friend of Myers’. She carefully follows Moonbeam’s progress. “She’s got some abnormal- ities of her hoof and will need corrective trimming on a regular schedule going forward,” Dotzel said. “She’s responding well to her trims and has settled into her new home very well. Her prognosis is good for a happy life and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to help Tipson care for her.” Myers said visitors are wel- come, but they should schedule appointments ahead of time. “She’s already had several visitors,” she said. “I loved hear- ing stories about her and her moth- er when they were on Assateague. Seeing people get so excited to meet her always brings a smile to my face. These ponies mean so much to me. I am happy to be able to help them any way I can.” Assateague Filly Rehomed (Continued from page 4)