Meadows of Mendon Stables has been adopting older horses for some years now. These horses have become too old or infirm for the job they had been doing - perhaps working for the Rochester Police force, or show jumping - but have the perfect disposition to join the Therapeutic Riding Team. CP Rochester's Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program, a recreational program for children with developmental disabilities ages 5 through 21 years, takes place at Meadows of Mendon Stables.

In the winter of 2002, Amy Jenkins, owner of Meadows of Mendon, accepted Meggin into the ranks of her Therapeutic Riding Team. The 22-year-old standard bred had to patient and even-tempered qualities that Amy looks for in a horse that will carry an individual with disabilities accompanied by as many as four other people.

Meggin was living up to Amy's expectations throughout the winter of 2002/2003. However, Amy was puzzled by her lack of weight-gain - despite the fact that she was eating ravenously, and seemingly in good health. An examination by the vet uncovered bad news. Meggin was riddled with cancer. The fact that she seemed so healthy convinced Amy and the attending vet that sho should continue with the riding program as long as she was strong enough. She enjoyed her new job, which seemed to give her purpose.

Meggin continued with the program through the summer of 2003, when suddenly she showed signs of distress on August 13th. Despite the watchful eyes of Amy and the others at the farm, Meggin went missing the next day. Everyone thought the worst as they went off insearch of her - Meggin must have gone off to die. Amy and her assistant, Heather, came across Meggin at the edge of the pasture, and made the stunning discovery that not only was she alive, she had given birth. Her eleven-month pregnancy had gone completely unnoticed.

Amy and Heather carefully cradled the foal, brought her back to the stables, then went to collect Meggin.

Amy recalled how restive the other horses became when they brought the foal in. It almost seemed like they were jubilant at the sight of the new arrival. Despite their stunning discovery, Amy and Heather had to jolt themselves into action. The foal was feeding from her mother, but Meggin was in no condition to adequately provide for the hungry youngster. The vet was called, the foal was pronounced in perfect condition, horse formula was prepared and a rigorous feeding schedule was begun.

Three weeks later, Meggin stubbornly refused to exit her stall and died peacefully an hour later. Meggin's foal whinnied, and that began a chorus of whinnying and neighing from the other horses that lasted for two days.

The newcomer has since bonded with an old male horse named Lightning who is teaching her all she has to know about being a horse and the other horses all show an uncommon affection and respect toward her. She'll be fed her brown sugar and honey-laced formula for five months and is expected to gain a pound in weight every day for the next several months.

The name chosen for Meggin's foal comes as no surprise: