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Meet Koda, the little horse who could

By News Online's Sarah Collerton

Posted Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:00am AEST
Updated Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:52pm AEST

Koda was born to two normal-size miniature horses at a farm.

It is not uncommon for workplaces to have pets. Perhaps a fish or a bird, or at most a dog or cat roaming around the waiting room of a vet's clinic.

But the Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital, north of Melbourne, has its very own horse who trots around the surgery, nibbling rubbish in the bins and hanging off whoever he can.

But this horse is different from most.

At just 35 kilograms and 59 centimetres tall, 12-month-old Koda is said to be Australia's smallest horse.

He was born the size of a cat and he is still smaller than some dogs, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with his gigantic personality.

Dr Andy Lynch, who runs the clinic, says Koda - a miniature horse with dwarfism - is basking in his newfound celebrity.

"He absolutely loves the attention from people, he's just soaking it up," he told ABC News Online.

"Everywhere he goes he's instantly recognised and he loves it."

Australia's Mr Ed has a jam-packed schedule, with plenty of bookings from local schools and nursing homes as well as a few TV appearances and photo shoots here and there.

"He just had a visit from an elderly people's home," Dr Lynch said.

"A van came to visit and he walked through the van and they loved him.

"He's got a unique nature for a horse of his age. Normal-sized horses at 12 months can just be plain dangerous, but Koda is so trusting, he's fantastic.

"His very tiny stature isn't apparent to him, he just regards himself just like any other horse."

Health issues

But it's not all fun and games for lively little Koda, who has spent much of his short life immobilised and sadly faces an onslaught of ailments.

In fact when Dr Lynch first met Koda, he recommended that Koda be put down because of the severity of his health problems.

"He had very contorted, buckley limbs that went in all different directions when he tried to stand," Dr Lynch said.

"And his face was a little bit misshapen, with quite a dished nose and his nostrils were almost like a pig's snout."

But luckily vet nurse Karen Stephenson, 23, saw hope in the little guy and persevered.

"I fell in love with him straight away," she told ABC News Online.

"Provided he wasn't going to go through too much suffering, I wanted to do whatever I could to give him a chance."

Koda, who was born to two normal-size miniature horses at a farm, moved to Ms Stephenson's nearby Kinglake property, where he first came across normal-size horses.

"All the larger horses were hesitant at first, but now he's one of them but just the size of a dog," she said.

Costly treatment

But Koda's need for extensive treatment means he has had to relocate to a small stable at the Yarrambat clinic for now.

So far he has had two surgeries because of joint problems. At one stage his leg was in a cast and he faces more operations because his skull is too small for his teeth.

But "buoyant" Koda doesn't let the surgeries get him down, Dr Lynch says.

"He's very brave and he responds very well to pain relief," he said.

The medical costs have so far mounted to $10,000 and Dr Lynch expects Koda will rack up at a bill of at least $30,000 more.

"But he's well worth it," Dr Lynch said.

Future for Koda

And even though Koda's not expected to live a completely normal horse life, there is hope he will be around for at least a decade more.

"We would be happy with 10 years, bearing in mind a normal horse lives to 25 years," Dr Lynch said.

"We'd be thrilled with 20 years."

Dr Lynch says Koda will probably live at the Yarrambat clinic for a few more months at least, but then he will move back to Kinglake to "play with his other horse friends" again.

But this popular little horse isn't pining for his equine mates too much; he gets on with humans just as well.

"He just loves attention from everyone and he knows he's loved," Dr Lynch said.

"In the absence of other horses, we have become his herd and he responds to us like we're horses."

And Ms Stephenson even has an idea to cater for "cheeky" Koda's social needs and growing fame.

"He needs to go on tour around Australia," she said.