Neither a hurricane nor a horrible accident could stop the spirit of Molly the Pony, but an early December snowstorm kept her trapped in her barn on the day of the Middleburg Christmas Parade.

She did, however, meet friends and fans at her Books & Crannies book signing to introduce “A True Story, Molly the Pony,” the sad and wonderful tale of how she lost her right front leg and learned to walk again with a prosthetic limb, by Pam Kaster.

This jolly little pony is an inspiration to individuals the world over who, through accident or war, lose a limb and have to learn to live with a prosthetic.

Molly’s troubles began with Hurricane Katrina.  Molly was left in her stall in the barn while everyone else drove away to escape the storm.  It rained and rained and the wind roared overhead.  A tree fell on the barn and tore a hole in the roof

The poor pony waited and waited for someone to come for her.  She found hay and small pools of water while she waited.

Two weeks later, she was found and taken to a wonderful family farm to recuperate.  She was well fed and groomed and so happy to have a new home.  But one day, she was badly bitten on the leg by a very big dog, and he did a lot of damage.

When the veterinarians looked at her, they decided her leg simply would never serve her well again.  Although it is very rare for a horse to live after a leg has been amputated, Molly seemed a good candidate for a prosthetic limb.

“Molly is a very smart pony with great attitude,” said a veterinarian who cared for her.  “She knew how to take care of herself and she wanted to learn to walk again.”

Molly’s surgery was done at Louisiana State University where her injured leg was amputated below the knee and a stiff white cast was attached.  A month later, the cast was replaced with a silver and black prosthetic limb with a smiley face on the bottom of her rubber hoof.

Although it was difficult to walk at first, Molly practiced eagerly and soon she could walk and trot whenever she wanted.

Everywhere she went, she left a footprint of smiley faces.

Today, Molly spends lots of time visiting children’s hospitals and retirement homes to encourage others to make the best of their situations.
While in the D.C. area, she visited wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital to cheer them up and show them how well she walks with her prosthetic leg.

Molly is known and admired around the world and the book about her is available at Books & Crannies in Middleburg, Virginia.
If you would like more information on Molly’s Foundation or to mail a donation to Molly’s Foundation, please contact her at:

Kids and Ponies - Molly’s Foundation 156 Bertucci Lane, St. Rose, LA  70087 

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