A Standardbred foal from Brackley, P.E.I., has attracted attention around the world for his rare condition and will to survive.

When the big Somewhere Fancy colt out of the mare Lady Willa arrived at the Sheppard family's Living The Dream Stables in mid-April, it was clear right away he had a wry nose, a rare congenital deformity to the structural alignment of the nose. Immediate concerns for the wellbeing of the foal and his ability to breath and nurse properly to gain strength were overcome in the hours and days that followed, much to the relief of his connections.

"When he arrived, it was clear right away that he had a wry nose," said Morgan Sheppard in a social media post. "In those first few moments, your heart sinks… and your mind goes straight to the hardest questions. But he didn’t hesitate. He got up. He tried to nurse. He fought. And in those quiet early hours, he showed us something you can’t teach — heart. Knowing how tough his mother is, and the grit behind his sire, we made the decision to give him a chance… because he was already proving he wanted one."

Despite the challenges associated with the condition that lie ahead for the resilient colt, his connections are hopeful for a bright future and remain committed to providing the best care possible.

The colt, who is fondly referred to as "Benny" and will officially be named Livingallbentup, has gained a following on social media as Living The Dream Stables has documented and shared his journey since his birth, involving nutritional support and consultation with a team of veterinarians to assess treatment and surgical options. CBC News has also profiled the foal.

"The encouraging part in our colt’s case is that he is nursing well and gaining strength," said Sheppard in another social media post. "However, one of the main concerns right now is that he is only able to breathe effectively out of one nostril due to the misalignment. Because of that, we are consulting with our veterinary team about whether surgery may be needed to help improve his airway and give him the best chance moving forward."

Sheppard noted that surgery is typically considered if the foal has difficulty nursing, breathing and/or the structural misalignment could lead to long-term issues with eating or quality of life.

"The goal of any treatment is always the same — to give the foal the best chance at a comfortable, healthy life," she said. "Right now, we’re taking things day by day, making sure he continues nursing, gaining strength and staying bright. Our veterinarian and surgeon is also consulting with other vets both locally and beyond to make sure we’re exploring every option and making the best decisions for him."

(Standardbred Canada with files from Living The Dream Stables & CBC News)