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    Home » Rescue

    Tiny Rescue Horse Serves As Ambassador For The Sanctuary That Saved Him

    Modified: Feb 3, 2018 by ihearthorses · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Munchie is a mini horse with a big job. Born with dwarfism, he stands just 21 inches from hoof to domed head. But Munchie hasn't let his size stop him from doing amazing things for Habitat for Horses, the rescue organization that saved his life.

    He serves as their official ambassa-horse, spreading joy to nursing home patients and teaching school children about animal welfare.

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    Munchie and his mother, Melanie were among the horses rescued from animal cruelty on a property in Texas 11 years ago. Habitat for Horses took in most of the survivors, but several others weren't so lucky.

    “He was about 2 months old when we rescued him,” Amber Barnes, adoption and media specialist for Habitat for Horses, told The Dodo. “He came in with a family of smaller miniature horses and also larger horses. It was a very large cruelty seizure case in San Antonio. There were actually several horses who had died that were on the property when we got there. So it’s a sad case.”

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    Barnes fondly recalls the way in which little Munchie arrived at the sanctuary.

    “Because he was so small, he was driven from the rescue [site] on somebody’s lap in the front seat of a truck. He was itty bitty. Like a tiny dog in your lap.”

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    Despite having dwarfism - which can come with many problems - Munchie is relatively healthy. He has a a curved back, an underbite, and some of his internal organs are oversized for his body, giving him a potbellied appearance.

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    Due to his delicate health, Munchie was not offered up for adoption like most of the animals Habitat for Horses rescues. Instead, he is a permanent resident - and residency has its perks!

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    When he isn't visting with community members or representing the organization at an event, Munchie spends his time eating, napping, greeting visitors and playing with his pasturemates, including four other minis, a pig and some goats.

    Image Credit: Habitiat for Horses

     

    He also adores attention from his human companions.

    “Munchie loves being groomed, so he likes getting his hair brushed out and braided,” Barnes said.

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    Maybe it's the fact that he came to the sanctuary so young, but Munchie has no problem interacting with the larger animals. In fact, Barnes says the average sized horses are often frightened of him!

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    “They’ll be right nearby, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, give me my hay. Where are my carrots? I’m not worried about you,’” she said. “But you’ll have the same giant horse look at Munchie and get kind of startled and not know what to do. It’s kind of amusing.”

    Image Credit: Habitat for Horses

     

    Find out more about Habitat for Horses and the many different ways you can help them continue their mission - with Munchie leading the way as ambassador, of course!

     

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    H/T to The Dodo

    Featured Image via Habitat for Horses

     

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