Martha is a horse but because she was born with skeletal atavism, she’s just 2ft tall.
Because of her condition, the 15-month-old is the same size as her family’s golden retriever dog.
But she is lucky to be alive as most horses with the condition are put down but her new family refused to give up on her.
They opted for surgery instead which involved the trimming of Martha’s hooves.
Owner Stacy Rolfe, 57, from Missouri, said: ‘There are many complications of dwarfism. With Martha, hers are her deformed legs.
‘Other dwarves have very round, barrel-like stomachs, issues with their organs, teeth and mouth issues are very common, bulging eyes are prevalent too. Dwarves need special care and are difficult to care for.
‘They require a significant investment of both time and financial resources.
‘Martha loves life regardless. This is one of the things that makes Martha so marvellous.
‘Martha does not let her leg deformities define her. She is a happy girl who lives with imperfection and does not let it define her.
Martha was taken in by the R&R ranch in wildwood Missouri after she was spotted on Craiglist listed to be sold as a Christmas present.
The owner had no idea about her dwarfism but luckily Stacy spotted some leg problems and she was quickly rescued.
With the love and care of her new family, Martha has been going from strength to strength since.
Stacy added: ‘Many people think that owning a little horse like Martha would be fun. All they see is her running around, playing and acting silly.
‘To this, I say, there is so much work and effort that goes into Martha’s health. She has come a long way from the lice-ridden foal she was when we first brought her home.’
Her feet are now cared for by an expert farrier – at first, weekly, then every two weeks, three weeks and now every four weeks.
‘Just trimming Martha’s feet, alone, is not only expensive but, very time-consuming. Dwarves are always going to need special care,’ Stacy added.
‘Martha is unique. Her personality is so over the top, making people gravitate towards her, but, they need to know, this is by far not the case with dwarves. Martha is simply marvellous and her own unique self.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/28/martha-horse-2ft-tall-size-size-golden-retriever-12139743/
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