After three years of living in Ireland, we finally made the pilgrimage down to County Clare....

Midnight is not out of the woods yet.  Despite many vet visits, including an equine specialist, we have had more different diagnosis than you can shake a stick at.  These so far include, Intestinal blockage, Pneumonia, Liver disease, Reduced Lung function, allergic reactions (to what, who knows?)

The equine specialist who diagnosed the reduced lung function, told us that Midnight had obviously had it for quite a while as her abdominal muscles had been built up to help her breathe from her diaphragm as it were, rather than just by using her ribcage.  we could get all sorts of further tests, biopsies, operations and things done, but the cost would run into the thousands, and we just do not have the money.  We would not be able to get insurance for her as it is a pre-existing condition, and no insurer would touch her. 

We contacted the ISPCA from whom we are fostering her and were told rather abruptly that if her quality of life was low we should have her 'Euthanized' (a politically correct way of saying 'Killed') and when we mentioned having spent over a thousand euros on vets for her, we were told 'If you can't afford to maintain them, send them back' 

Neither of these statements from the ISPCA filled us with much joy.  We love these ponies, and have bent over backwards to try to make their lives happy. Only to be told in not as many words that we obviously aren't good enough.