Mini Horse Gets Fake Leg

A miniature horse has a new leg and a new lease on life thanks to a Texas horse rescue group and a company that usually makes prosthetic limbs for people. Midnite, who was born missing a portion of his rear right leg, arrived at Ranch Hand Rescue after law enforcement authorities rescued him from a neglectful owner. The staff feared they would have to put him down before they started wondering if a horse could use an artificial leg, reports the Telegraph.

"One night we were watching a news story and they were building prosthetics for humans, and we thought, if it can be done for humans can it be done for a horse?" said sanctuary chief Bob Williams. A Fort Worth firm accepted the challenge. They expected the horse to only be able to walk—and were amazed when it took off at a canter after the second fitting. (More prosthetics stories.)