The magic of Magic - a Volunteer's view

Magic

Story by Sandy Johnson, volunteer at The Bridge Center

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,”  says Elizabeth Barrett Browning in her sonnet. 

And I feel that way about Magic—horses in general if truth be told, but Magic will always have a very special place in my heart.  I absolutely adored Magic’s slow, collected canter.  I haven’t ridden a horse in quite a while, but it’s that canter that I miss most. 

One of my goals in life was to be able to ride well enough to get that special elegant frame that a horse can achieve in dressage.  And thanks to Magic, I got at least the very beginnings of it.  I might never have had that chance if Magic had not come to the Bridge Center.  I likely would never have a chance to ride a horse with Magic’s training at any other stable.  (A special thank you to Magic’s owner/trainer!)

Also, I love that Magic is a Chincoteague pony.  When I was growing up, one of my favorite books was 

Misty of Chincoteague.  Paul, the boy in the story, helped his grandfather round up the wild ponies on Assateague Island and drive them across the channel to the island of Chincoteague.  (In those days, girls weren’t allowed to participate in the round up—too dangerous. I couldn’t believe how sexist the book was when I re-read it again a few years ago after Magic’s arrival at the Bridge Center.)  Paul and his sister Maureen lived with their grandfather on nearby Chincoteague Island where they helped raise and train Misty, one of the foals from the annual round up.

I later learned that the book was inspired by a real Chincoteague pony named Misty—a pinto who looked very much like Magic.  

When Marguerite Henry, the author of Misty of Chincoteague, visited Chincoteague in 1946 looking for a model for her book, she found Misty.  When Marguerite Henry promised to include Clarence Beebe’s grandchildren in the book, he sold Misty to her for $150. 

Misty lived at Marguerite Henry’s Illinois farm for over ten years, appearing for her many fans at schools, movie theaters, 

museums, libraries, and horse shows. Misty was sent back to the Beebe ranch in 1957 where she had three foals. (Her foals had numerous offspring, and so Misty’s genes live on.)  Misty spent the rest of her life on Chincoteague Island until she died in her sleep in 1972 at age 26.

You can still visit Chincoteague and Assateague islands—as I have—off the coast of Maryland and Virginia and you can tour the islands to see the wild  ponies.  There’s still a round up and auction of the wild ponies each year.  In fact, July 27, 2011 will mark the 86th year of the pony round up.  

Here’s a picture of a herd of wild ponies on Assateague Island; the pintos look like our Magic!

BTW. You also can see impressions of Misty’s hoofs in the

sidewalk outside the Roxy Movie Theatre in Chincoteague!

Magic's Spa day

Every Tuesday, one of our regular volunteers, Sandy, comes to help with lessons. She also takes time out to give Magic some extra attention. Sandy takes time to handwalk him outside to give him a sense of purpose (as he does miss his duties as a therapeutic riding horse).  Today, she iced his back legs while giving him a thorough grooming. Wow, still lots of winter hair coming off! We captured him making faces while waiting for his treat.

Thank you all for reaching out and helping Magic. We are about 1/4 of the way to our goal! If you are interested in donating, please do so by any of the following ways: 

1)       Go to our webpage – www.thebridgectr.org.  The DONATE button brings you to Paypal where you can type MAGIC in the donation description field during the “review donation” step. This is important, otherwise the donation won’t go to him directly!

2)       Stop by the barn! Magic loves the company. There is a collection box in the viewing room where you can put your donations (cash or checks).

3)       You can mail your donation to The Bridge Center,

470 Pine Street, Bridgewater, MA 02324

. Just make sure you mark it for MAGIC.

Handwalking

Every day for three months, Magic has been handwalked for his exercise. Volunteers would check off on his chart when he was walked.

Volunteers would write how he did that day - with smiley faces and hearts.

(picture: Magic checking over his notes)

Magic's Fundraiser

O N E      S t e p    C l o s e r

Magic has suffered stiffness from arthritis in his hocks for the past year. This past winter, he injured his right hind leg.  That injury, coupled with the arthritis, prevents him from comfortably participating in our therapeutic riding program - a job he really thrived on.   

 Vet visits, X-rays and Ultrasounds have shown a partial snapshot – nothing appears to be broken or torn. It just still hasn’t told us why Magic is hurting.  We have given him time off with stall rest and handwalking. He hates not being ridden. The kids miss him and ask, “when is Magic going to get better?”

What we need is a  firm diagnosis as to why he is suffering lameness on that leg. The answer will come from stronger diagnostic equipment  - like a bone scan or an MRI  - something to get a clear picture of his joints in that hind leg. This can really only be done at a large animal hospital.

 

This is where you can help.

With your donation, Magic can confirm his appointment at Tufts, get his diagnosis and be one step closer to recovery.

Magic has done so much here at The Bridge Center. He is the horse known as “the one with all the colors”.  It is hard to miss his distinctive brown & white markings that make him a favorite among our clients. Our program misses his smooth gait – that made him a shoe-in for community lessons and Hippotherapy. We owe him every opportunity to fully recover from this injury and we can’t do this without your donation.

Our goal is to raise $4,000 – this will cover the cost of a lameness examination, a bone scan as well as an MRI. Transportation to &  from the facility is being donated already.

How can you help?
~  Donate before April 30^th.

1)       Go to our webpage – www.thebridgectr.org.  The DONATE button brings you to Paypal where you can type MAGIC in the donation description field during the “review donation” step. This is important, otherwise the donation won’t go to him directly!

2)       Stop by the barn! Magic loves the company. There is a collection box in the viewing room where you can put your donations (cash or checks).

3)       You can mail your donation to The Bridge Center,  470 Pine Street, Bridgewater, MA 02324. Just make sure you mark it for MAGIC.

The Bridge Center is a 501(c)(3) organization, relying on the generosity of corporations, foundations and individuals to fund our programs. As we receive no federal or state funding, your support is critical to the success of our mission, especially during the challenging economic times.