10:16 PM CDT on Monday, May 29, 2006

Bill Capo / WWL-TV Action Reporter

When Kentucky Derby champion horse “Barbaro” broke his leg running the Preakness, a St. Charles woman knew exactly how the owners felt. When her pony lost its leg, she could easily have been euthanized, but what happened instead was very rare.

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Molly the pony.

At first glance, hearts may break upon seeing Molly the pony. Molly walks on three legs, but her story is not sad, and is instead a long-shot victory as the pony that lost a leg, but walks with an artificial limb.

"Molly is amazing. She looks incredible. This little pony, compared to when she originally got wounded, she's gained weight, she's shed out her nasty winter coat, she has come back healthier than the horses that have four legs around here," said Veterinarian Dr. Allison Denny-Barca.

Kaye Harris, whose company “Pony Tales” gives rides to children, has rescued Molly twice. The first time was after Hurricane Katrina, when Molly's owners were unable to get back in town to care for her.

"Her barn had a tree caving in the entire barn, and she was in this very small yard," said Harris.

The owners gave the 15-year old pony to Harris, but then something horrible happened: another animal rescued from Katrina, a pit bull, attacked six ponies, and Molly was badly injured.

"I saw her being attacked in the yard, and I ran in, hurdled that fence over there. I don't even remember how now. One of those things. I got the dog off of her, and then realized that he had just been ripping her jaw off, and I started seeing the rest of her injuries," said Harris.

Everything healed except Molly’s foot, and finally Harris turned to LSU School of Veterinary Medicine surgeons, who had no choice but to amputate the lower portion of her leg.

"It was essentially dead, it needed to come off, and it had to be amputated, or probably Molly would have to be euthanized, or humanely destroyed," said Dr. Rustin Moore.

But they decided to try an artificial leg and turned to Dr. Dwayne Mara with Bayou Orthotics and Prosthetics.

"I was overwhelmed, I really didn't know what to think," said Mara.

Mara has designed artificial limbs for people for eight years and had no experience with horses, but was so captivated by his experience with Molly that he is crafting the fourth artificial leg for her, each one better fitting and more comfortable.

"Every time I see her, knowing she's walking and getting around, I just, I love it really. I'm really interested in it really, more than I thought I would. (So now you're thinking about helping other animals?) Really, I think I could," said Mara.

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Dr. Barca puts the artificial limb on Molly. Even without the limb, Harris says Molly gets around extremely well.

Doctors worried she would be in pain, or unable to adapt to the new leg, but Molly showed them there was no need to worry.

"The prosthetic device is amazing. Even without the prosthetic device, Molly does really well, but the prosthetic has given her a whole new life. And she asks for it, she's amazing, she will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too," said Dr. Barca.

Molly is beginning to make trips to hospitals, schools, parities, anywhere she can show children and adults what she has become: a symbol of inspiration and hope.

"To me, she is a symbol of New Orleans. You know, New Orleans had its leg chopped off, if you ask me, but it can survive,” said Harris. “Maybe we'll need a prosthetic for New Orleans for a while but you know what, we can survive. That is the spirit of New Orleans, and this city can come back. Molly's come back, and she's going to go on to bigger and better things. She's not back to normal, she's gonna be better."

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Kaye Harris is seeking donations for a foundation she is setting up to care for retired horses and ponies called “Pony Paradise”…for information call 469-0148.