They did not expect Chester to survive. He was put on a drip but they were told not to get their hopes up. Due to the stress of being sick, away from his mum and in hospital Chester rubbed his head on his enclosure overnight. He caused a lot of damage to his forehead taking off all the hair and skin. We are not certain how he injured his eye. More than likely it was either an existing problem from
birth or due to the eyes exposure to the sun when he was sick and severely
dehydrated. The ulcer never healed and went through layers in the eye. His eye was stitched closed a couple of times to help heal but would not hold. They are still hopeful that the eye can be saved and is continually monitored by the vet. He has a cute little Dress To Win's flymask that he wears as his 'sunnies' when he goes out during the day to protect his injured eye.

Rebecca was determined to get Chester well and volunteered to care for
Chester until he was out of danger, and since her yard backs on to paddock he could at least see his mum and still get the constant medication and care he needed. When he improved and got stronger the owners gave him to Rebecca.

Chester is very lucky to be alive but unfortunately to save him he lost
being with his mum for those first important days and weeks. But when Rebecca does her 'motherly' checks on Chester late in the night, she finds him laying asleep by the back fence and his mum standing vigil on the other side - so their bond is still strong.

Chester is now 3 and a half months old and as happy as can be feeding well on his formula and hard-feed in a bucket. He has become a much-loved member of Rebecca's human family and still has constant contact with his equine mum via the back fence. You only have to look into Chester's eyes to tell he adores his 'mum' Rebecca - he knows that she is his guardian angel protecting him fiercely - and he knows that without her he would never have made it past those first 5 days.
August 2007 - A follow-up of Chester...
Little Chester enrolled in Pony Pre-School recently and passed with flying colours - here he is with one of his classmates.