When Lissa Corcoran was a teen, she spent time in foster homes, a center for troubled teens and had "more therapy than most people have in their lifetime."

But a distrust of people made it hard for her to learn anything from those trying to help her. Instead, Corcoran turned to horses.

Monique Hickey (ENLARGE)

Lorilee Flynn, a Flying Change Equine Therapy volunteer, visits Maggie after a recent surgery at the University of Georgia.

"I learned patience and nurturing and caring from horses," said Corcoran, who eventually got a degree in psychology at the University of Georgia. Today, she teaches riding at a barn in Vinings, and also runs a program called Flying Change Equine Therapy, which uses horses to help troubled teens. Unfortunately, one of the lessons right now is tougher than most.

Part of Corcoran's program is rescuing foals born because of the drug Premarin. The foals are a byproduct of the drug's production and are sold to slaughterhouses as soon as they are weaned, at between 2 and 5 months. Corcoran buys several of the frightened, wild foals each year, and then troubled teens are given a chance to nurture and care for the foals.

"A lot of these teens had a rough start, too, so they identify with these frightened babies," Corcoran said.

One of last year's foals, Maggie, broke a leg early this month trying to follow a larger horse that had jumped a fence. While many people would have put the injured horse down, Corcoran said Maggie has a fighting spirit. And Corcoran thinks Maggie has something more she can teach the program's teens.

"We're trying to show our kids loyalty. In a lot of these kids' lives, when times got tough, people would cut and run," Corcoran said. "We're trying to show that you do everything you can to help the ones you love."

So on Jan. 9, Maggie had surgery at the University of Georgia, where Dr. Eric Mueller inserted a plate and 13 screws into her right rear leg. Mueller, who gave Maggie at 10 percent to 20 percent chance of recovery, said Tuesday that Maggie is doing well, although she isn't out of danger yet.

"There's still a risk of infection, or becoming lame in another leg," Mueller said.

If the yearling lives, she'll probably never be ridable, Mueller said. At best, she'll be able to live out her life as a pet. And even without complications, her surgery and after care will cost the center $7,000 to $10,000, Mueller said. It's money Corcoran said they don't have.

"We just made the leap of faith that we'd get the money somewhere," Corcoran said. "Maggie is just such a feisty, personable, loving horse, we had to give her the chance."

E-mails asking for donations are circulating around the Internet, and by Tuesday Corcoran said she'd received more than $3,300, much of it from strangers.

"One little girl sent $20 in nickels and dimes in a bag," Corcoran said.

She has received donations, letters and pictures from people as far away as New Hampshire, Texas and Michigan. Corcoran said 14 children have been assigned to helping Maggie, and being helped, since she came into the program. The children work with the foals for six months to two years. While those children don't really have a way of donating, other horsemanship students and volunteers with the program have donated money.

Lorilee Flynn of Mableton, who visited Maggie in Athens last weekend, said she gave $500 toward the surgery because Maggie is so important to so many of the teens.

Corcoran said she's been touched by the support for a horse she rescued once, and is trying to save again.

"We felt like we had a responsibility to her. We can't fight Maggie's battle for her — she has to do that. All we can do is give her the best shot, the best care, a loving environment to heal in," Corcoran said. "But we owe her that. To our kids, she's not just a horse, she's family."

People who would like to donate to Maggie's care can send a check to Flying Change Equine Therapy, 4470 Seminole Drive, Acworth, GA 30101 or call 404-512-0834. For information on the program go to www.flyingchange.org.

COMING UP

• Help teens leaving foster care. Children who have grown up in foster care often have nowhere to go when they get too old for the system. That's why the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Foundation has Project Transition, which supports teens moving into the adult world. A fund-raiser benefiting Project Transition, called "A Starry Night," is 7-11 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Foundry at Puritan Mill in Atlanta. The event features live music, open bar, a cocktail buffet and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $75 in advance or $100 at the door and are available at www.gahsc.org/projecttransition.html or call 404-351-1678.