Chance, a 22-year-old Morgan grade, came to the Foundation when he was 15. He has stringhalt, which is a nervous system disorder resulting from the horse inhaling a toxin. The symptom is an unsightly, involuntary flexing of the hind legs at the hock.

Before coming to the Foundation, Chance had been passed from owner to owner because he "looked funny" due to the then-undiagnosed stringhalt, which made his gaits rough. The owner prior to the Foundation could not find someone to take him when faced with a divorce situation, so he contacted us. We took the horse to avoid the slaughterhouse, which would have been his fate otherwise.

Realizing that Chance was sound despite the leg flex, Foundation staff diagnosed the stringhalt and integrated him into the school. He has proven to be one of the gentlest, most valuable horses at the farm. He has also been enormously instrumental in beginning and intermediate riding lessons, although as he ages his rideability is decreasing due to his condition. He also holds status as the absolute favorite of one of the Foundation's long-time students.