NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A miniature horse, who was born without functional rear legs, is now able to walk and run thanks to a wheelchair made especially for him.
Turbo, who lives at Road to Refuge Animal Sanctuary, was born with two luxating patellas, which only allowed the animal to walk in a hunched position with the entirety of his weight supported on his two front legs, WFSB reported.
Road to Refuge describes itself on its website as a sanctuary for animals that have been saved from being killed, where they are treated for any medical, mental or physical needs they may have.
“Turbo is an amazing little man,” Megan Pereira, Road to Refuge’s founder, told the New Haven Register. “He has the cutest and most fiery personality ever. He truly has a will to live, and when we first saw that in him, we knew we had to help him.”
An Instagram post about Turbo attracted the attention of a New Hampshire-based pet mobility company, Walkin’ Pets, the New Haven Register reported.
Walkin’ Pets sent employees to Road to Refuge, where Turbo was fitted for his very own wheelchair, WFSB reported. Pereira told the station that Turbo wasn’t even fully strapped in before he took off running.
“Seeing Turbo walk before any assistance and dragging his legs, to being in his cart, I almost started crying. He was running, bucking — it was all very exciting.”
“Once we got him set up and saw him take off running, all of our hearts were just overjoyed,” Mikayla Feehan, Walkin’ Pets digital media manager, told the New Haven Register. “We were super excited to see that, it was honestly a miracle.”
Road to Refuge said Turbo still has a long road ahead and needs physical therapy and possibly knee surgery, WFSB reported. Those looking to donate to help pay for Turbo’s care can donate at their website.
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