Dixie the intersex horse
Dixie (#3) came to the Rescue in the summer of 2022 as a 10 year old Quarter Horse mare that had been diagnosed with ovarian cysts. Dixie had been exhibiting unusual stallion-like behaviour since she was about 2 or 3. This is usually indicative of hormonal imbalances likely caused by ovarian cysts and a vet exam two years prior to her coming to us confirmed that diagnosis. Her owners could not afford the surgery she would need to remove her ovaries but wanted Dixie to have every chance she could to have a good life which is why they asked if we could take her on.
We took Dixie to 2 different veterinarians that summer, hoping for her to have a vaginal, rather than laparoscopic, spay, at a lower cost. Unfortunately both vets found unusual anatomy inside her that didn't allow for a vaginal spay. After all that, we ended up taking her to Moore Equine Vet for the laparoscopic spay. Dr. Fowlie, the veterinarian performing the surgery, was amazed to find what appeared to be a testicle where the ovary should be! Sure enough, analysis confirmed it was in fact a testicle. Dixie was a true intersex horse. What is most unusual is that her outward anatomy is completely female, but her internal anatomy consisted of the one testicle, with the second one being almost non-existent, a very small uterus, and a missing cervix.
Once Dixie was gelded/spayed, (she's a melding?!) her behaviour with other horses improved a lot and she joined the herd, fitting in very well and having lots of mare and gelding friends. In August, 2024 she was adopted to a loving home.
We took Dixie to 2 different veterinarians that summer, hoping for her to have a vaginal, rather than laparoscopic, spay, at a lower cost. Unfortunately both vets found unusual anatomy inside her that didn't allow for a vaginal spay. After all that, we ended up taking her to Moore Equine Vet for the laparoscopic spay. Dr. Fowlie, the veterinarian performing the surgery, was amazed to find what appeared to be a testicle where the ovary should be! Sure enough, analysis confirmed it was in fact a testicle. Dixie was a true intersex horse. What is most unusual is that her outward anatomy is completely female, but her internal anatomy consisted of the one testicle, with the second one being almost non-existent, a very small uterus, and a missing cervix.
Once Dixie was gelded/spayed, (she's a melding?!) her behaviour with other horses improved a lot and she joined the herd, fitting in very well and having lots of mare and gelding friends. In August, 2024 she was adopted to a loving home.
