Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria Inc.

On the 20 August 2000, I rolled up to Nicola Fanning’s house with my parents to see a 15 year old grey Arab gelding who needed re-homing. PHHWV had rescued him only weeks before, where his situation of neglect had come about after his owners had taken off and left him in an agistment paddock, three years later, with his owners obviously long gone. PHHWV received a phone call from the owner of

the paddock in which the horse had been left, enquiring as to what should be done with the horse as he was selling up. PHHWV immediately responded and took over the care of the undernourished gelding.

Today, Aladdin, as I call him, is a well-conditioned, extremely active and friendly horse who loves all things carrot-like and craves the attention that he was deprived of for so long. He is definitely one of the family and a truly loyal friend with whom I have shared countless memorable experiences.

When Aladdin first came to us he was underweight and had overgrown hooves that were riddled with seedy toe. It was apparent from the pedal bone rotation in his hooves that he had been left to founder at some stage. His hooves have finally come good after many years, though with much constant care and corrective farriery. The neglect has also caused him much discomfort, where upon inspection by the dentist shortly after I acquired him, it was evident that his gums were full of sores and abscesses from the sharp teeth that it seemed had not been filed for a very long time. Because of this, I have always ridden Aladdin in a rope halter and ensure that a dentist regularly tends to his teeth.

Lad was like a dream come true for me, and after enduring a traumatic accident which resulted in the loss of my much loved Brandi, his company and unconditional love was definitely what pushed me on to the road to recovery. Aladdin and I have been everywhere. From our property in Wandin where he resides with three other horses, we have together ventured the 60km to Warburton and back on several occasions and have frequently climbed Mt Dandenong to Kalorama and Olinda. His boundless energy and endless enthusiasm for an outing, no matter how far or what the weather, remains a constant reminder to me of the wonderful things horse and human can achieve through just simply being together.