Like her fellow surrenders Jian and Phoenix, Chakora is named for a powerful mythological bird, in her case, a Hindu bird that feeds on moonbeams. This captures both the flight from her past troubles and into new prosperity that we hope she finds with us and the crescent moon-shaped star on her forehead.

Chakora came to us with a group of other equines, including her mother and sister, as well as a pair of goats, as the result of a court-ordered surrender from an animal neglect case. She and her fellows were frequently left for long stretches without food, water, or shelter in the coldest of Wyoming’s winters.

While her fellows all seem to have had some handling, Chakora was completely unhandled and distrustful of humans. She is full of energy and wary of new experiences, but also full of heart, with a genuine desire to learn and trust.

After several months with us, Chakora was swinging along in her training in March of 2023, with three flawless rides under saddle, when she experienced a sudden neurological episode. Her eyes developed nystagmus (spinning) and she could no longer walk without danger of falling. After evaluation by our local veterinarian, she was rushed to the Johnson Family Equine Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, where, after multiple tests, she was diagnosed with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO), a form of vestibular disease causing a swelling of the ceratohyoid bones in her larynx area. She was immediately taken in to surgery to reduce the size of the bones, which were impinging on her nerves and causing the loss of balance. While CSU is a premier equine hospital, they had never operated on a bilateral case of THO like hers. They did an amazing job, and she is now back at home recovering.

We have already seen some improvement in her balance, but it will be a long three to fifteen months for recovery. She has a very strong chance of returning to her full, active life, but it will be a long road. If you would like to donate to her ongoing medical and recovery costs, please visit our How to Help page!