Shot pony continues to make strides

Azra pictured after she was shot.

The lack of infection is an encouraging sign for the recovery of 33-year-old Azra, who was shot just below the right eye as she grazed the orchard block at her Clive home late last month.

The bullet, probably a .22-calibre round, damaged her sinuses as it tracked through her head, lodging near her ear.

The bullet remains in place and Azra faced a crucial period when she came off antiobiotics last Tuesday, the biggest fear being infection.

The wound has now sealed over and the severe swelling has subsided substantially.

Trevor and Cheryl Hall got Azra five years ago as a schoolmaster pony for their 12-year-old daughter, Sam, who has ridden since she was four.

Azra's progress has buoyed the Hall family, who realised their elderly pony faced major hurdles to recover from the life-threatening injury.

"There's no sign of infection, so that's a pretty good sign" said Trevor.

He said Azra was eating normally and her behaviour was back to normal, including acting like a grumpy old lady from time to time.

"The bullet is still in there, but the swelling had gone down quite a bit."

He said it was possible, as the swelling continued to subside, that the bullet's position might become clearer. That raised the possibility of having it removed.

There was, however, some nerve damage which had affected Azra's nostril and lip on the right side.

"She's doing well. My strong gut feeling is that things are going to be OK."

Trevor said it was important to the family that, if Azra was to recover, that she was going to have a good quality of life.

"[It now appears] her quality of life is going to be reasonably good."

Trevor was full of praise for Napier veterinarian Helen Taylor, saying Azra owed her life to her careful care.

Community Constable Alan Daly had kept in contact over Azra's condition and kept them informed about the police inquiry.

Trevor said the family had been humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support from around the country. They have even received messages of support from the United States and Australia.

"These are people we are never likely to meet in our lifetime. It's difficult to thanks to all these people, other than to simply say 'thank you'."

He said the local newspaper, Hawke's Bay Today, ran a follow-up story on Saturday, to let locals know of the improvement in Azra's conditon.

The family's four-hectare block backs on to the Limestone Walkway, which crosses the Hawke's Bay region. The offender most likely entered their property from the walkway to carry out the shooting.

The family holds out hope that the offender will be caught and brought to justice.