Peachy Keen (aka Peaches) is among the most special horses one will ever meet.

A star of the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP), Peaches is a beautiful pony with a golden mane, and she has spent more than 15 years helping both children and adults in our community. As a therapeutic riding horse, Peaches has assisted her riders in learning to follow directions, building social skills, and developing strength and coordination. 

On her 30th birthday, the Town of Clifton joined with the NVTRP to honor Peaches for her years of devoted service. A date last fall was declared "Peachy Keen Day," and in a proclamation issued by the Town Council, Peaches was recognized for "her impact on hundreds of riders over the last 15 years."

In the last few days, however, life for Peaches hasn't been "peachy keen." 

She developed a serious condition called fistulous withers.

Relatively uncommon in horses, this skin disease causes pus-filled, oozing sores and swelling on the withers (the area where the neck and back join).

It is usually caused by a bacterium, Brucella, which is found more often in cattle.

On December 29, Peachy underwent surgery at the Blue Ridge Veterinary Hospital near Charlottesville. 

Doctors removed the infected tissue, cleaned the wounds, and gave her antibiotics.

Her incisions were huge — 15 inches on one side and 10 inches on the other. To encourage healing from the inside out, the incisions were not stitched.

Within a few hours of the surgery, Breeana Bornhorst, NVTRP's Executive Director, reported to Peaches' fans that the spunky little horse was making progress: She was awake and eating.

Peaches remained at the clinic for a few more days to make sure she was stable and on the road to recovery.

She is now safely at home at Little Full Cry Farm, on stall rest.  

Unfortunately, her recovery will take several months, requiring expensive medicines and daily attention.

Veterinary care for horses is never cheap. An initial estimate for the operation and post-operative care at Blue Ridge was $5,000. By the time Peaches is well, the cost of her prescriptions and all the ointments, wipes, gauze, disinfectants and tape will add up to a small fortune. 

In a heartfelt letter, Director Bornhorst reminded the many supporters of the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program that, "Peachy Keen has meant so much to all of our riders. And now she needs YOU!"

"We need your support," Bornhorst continued, "to help Peachy Keen's return to her duties as NVTRP's Community Ambassador and to cover the mounting medical expenses. She needs each of you to help her through this very difficult time. Please contribute whatever you can to OPERATION PEACHY KEEN.  You can make a donation online at www.nvtrp.org/donate.php."

Peaches is good-natured and hard-working. She is well-trained, and she enjoys her job. Retirement is not among her future plans. On the NVTRP calendar for 2011, she shines as Miss January (http://www.nvtrp.org/calendar). She also has a Facebook page and, at last count, 641 friends who admire and love her.

Breeana Bornhorst urges you to "keep Peachy Keen in your thoughts and prayers; she needs your good wishes and support!"