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Kleng Update!August 13, 2010Kleng is improving. He has a lot of energy and has to be closely supervised as he will try to race out of his stall. The staples were removed on August 8, and his incision is still healing. The NWTRC would like to thank everyone for the support we have received in defraying the vet bills. So far we have gotten almost $3,600 toward our $10,700 Vet bill, a great start. August 6, 2010
Kleng loves to hang out during lessons and watch the goings on. He is back to his impish behavior, grabbing what items he can: buckets, zippers, etc. The riders are so happy to see him. His staples are scheduled to be removed on Monday, August 9. We are still welcoming any support to help defray the vet bills. Tragedy Strikes NWTRC Horse
Kleng was initially examined and treated by Kulshan Vet Hospital and NWTRC Board member Dr. Dave Sauter. Dr. Sauter determined the 18 year old horse to be a good candidate for emergency surgery as he was in good health and fitness when the colic occurred. Kleng was rushed to Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital in Snohomish, one of the biggest multipurpose animal hospitals in the country, where he underwent a 2 hour surgery involving 5 veterinarians and technicians on Monday afternoon. True to form, this tough Norwegian Fjord pony pulled through the surgery and is currently recuperating at Pilchuck for the next several days. Veterinarians estimate that, if everything goes well, it will take 3 months of controlled R&R before Kleng can return to work at the NWTRC. Kleng Needs Your HelpKleng has given so much to so many riders over the years and now he needs your help. Kleng’s surgery alone cost $7000, a significant setback for the NWTRC. We are hoping that you, as friends of Kleng and the NWTRC, will be able to help defray some of his medical expenses. Any amount will be helpful! Please help Kleng in his time of need! Use your credit card to make a secure online donation.
Or mail in your donation.
Cash For Kleng, NWTRC
We will continue to provide updates on Kleng’s status. Please check back with us here or on Facebook
Norwegian Fjord from
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Thanks to Elenbaas Company for grain sponsorship for all the NWRTC horses!
"We at the Elenbaas Company consider it a privilege to help support the work that the NWTRC does with our community’s kids." |
Kleng came home from Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital on August 1, and will be spending the next three months in a special stall set up for his recovery.
He has been recuperating and is beginning to be his frisky self again. His rehab routine requires nearly 3 hours per day.
Three to four times each day Kleng must be hand walked for 10 minutes, hand grazed for 10 minutes, and have is water changed and stall cleaned.
Twice each day he is administered antibiotics and has his incisision cleaned.
On July 19th the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center's premier pony, Kleng, the 2009 NARHA National Therapeutic "Equine of the Year",
suffered a bout of colic, a dreaded ailment every horse owner hopes to never experience.
Kleng, an 18-year-old Norwegian Fjord horse who has carried hundreds of disabled riders on his strong back over the years at the
NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center (NWTRC) outside Bellingham, Washington, won the
"2009 Equine of the Year Award," presented in Fort Worth, Texas, by the 
Dozens of horses from therapeutic riding programs around the United States and Canada compete each year, first in their respective regions and then
– among the regional winners – for the national Equine of the Year. Kleng was chosen as the winner for Region 9 before the national conference held
November 15-21 in Fort Worth. "When his name was announced at the conference gala as the winner, I thrilled beyond belief," said Bozzo.
"Of course, anybody who has worked with or ridden Kleng knows that his smooth gait and friendly calm personality make him very special,
but it’s just so gratifying to have him recognized nationally."
Kleng’s personality is so steady, according to Bozzo, that early in his therapeutic riding career he responded to the bouquet of purple balloons
that arrived at the ring by leading his handler and rider over to get a better look and a sniff of the new purple arrivals. Norwegian Fjord horses are
said to have been in evidence during the time of the Vikings, but Kleng originally hailed from Vancouver Island, where he was related to most of the
other Fjords on the island. Trained since the age of four to work in equine-assisted activities, Kleng has worked as a therapy horse at NWTRC for
13 years. Kleng performs in many disciplines, in many environments and for many ability levels. "He thrives from lots of riding and handling and
always seems to look forward to the next challenge," Julia Bozzo commented. "Especially at the end of the session when he gets a
carrot," she adds.
