As it turns out, Pickles is no ordinary horse. With a little research, we learned that her grandfather sired Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure.

So our starved, neglected horse has the blood of a champion in her veins. Maybe that's why she has this quiet sort of class about her.

Every day when we watch and work on her, she finds a way to tell us something new about herself and what she's been through.

Today we finished shaving the hair off most of her rain rotted coat, only to find even more patches of scabs that were hidden. They must hurt because she flinches when we touch them.

We also found out that despite her lethargy, she can muster up some energy when you try to touch her ears. While trying to get her cleaned up, I reach up to clip her ears and she freaked out. Not like she was scared of the clippers, more like she was anticipating serious pain.

Based on my 30 plus years of experience working with horses, I'm pretty sure she was physically abused. Ignorant people have a tendency to hit horses in the head or twist their ears to gain control over them. I almost don't want to know what I'm going to find out tomorrow.

There was one other thing that has been bothering me. From the first day we got her, she has had curiously loud gut sounds. Horse people never like to hear gut sounds on a horse - it's not usually good news. In Pickles' case, I suspect that chronic malnutrition may have led to intestinal problems.

Honestly, there is a part of me that genuinely wonders if this horse is going to make it. Then there's a part of me that sees the look of a champion in her eyes. And champions don't quit.

We'll all find out soon enough.

A fund has been set up to help with Pickles' expenses. To chip in CLICK HERE. Thanks for your help.