Sam’s Veterinary Care
Donation protected
This is my friend Bo and her horse Sam. Bo was born without one of her hands. She will say herself that she found a home when she started at Epsom RDA when she was little.
Bo started riding fortnightly on a Sunday and amongst her many achievements with RDA ponies and with her own horse, she and Sam have ridden for Hong Kong Para Equestrian Team. Sam and Bo specialise in dressage and Bo has also kindly lent Sam so that Epsom RDA riders, including herself, have been able to compete at Regional and National Championships.
Somehow fate/a meeting of the stars/whatever you believe in occurred and these two perfectly matched souls found each other.
Riding Sam is everything to Bo; and being with Bo is everything to Sam. Bo pours all her efforts, emotion and finances into Sam and it shows - he is hands-down the friendliest horse you will ever meet, with the biggest heart, a champion in the riding school and the best equine kisser (honestly, he gives you kisses!)
In August Epsom RDA was broken into...
https://www.geniusequestrian.com/rda-ponies-traumatised-attack/
Sam was also injured in this attack - the perpetrators used the 12”-long, rusty, spiked end of an electric fence post to stab him in his shoulder. I have no doubt that this would have been done at point-blank range as he has had no reason not to trust humans with such an attentive human-Mummy.
Sam became lame after the attack and was referred as an emergency to a specialist Equine Hospital (Liphook) where they conducted surgery to repair a damaged tendon. A deep-rooted septic infection was discovered in surgery and he went back to theatre yesterday (Thursday 6th September) and has 2 drains inserted so the infection site can be flushed regularly. He is double-tied and in a sling so he doesn’t go to the ground - when a poorly horse lays on the floor it is extremely difficult to get them back on their feet and this unusual position compromises other body functions.
Bo is a responsible animal owner and has insurance for Sam, however they have a limit to the financial support they will provide and she is now having to pay for all of his treatment. Bo is also having to take time off work to be with him (and he needs her there - he can hear her voice from 3 fields away!) and she is having to drive for over an hour to be with him from where she lives.
There are challenges with diverting money raised by Epsom RDA to Bo. Regardless of intent or desire, to transfer money raised by Epsom RDA to Bo (and Sam) would be a breach of the charity's constitution; we have therefore come to the conclusion that they require their own fundraising stream.
Nothing that has occurred is any fault of either Bo or Sam and yet both are significantly suffering - physically, emotionally and financially. Bo's friends are providing physical and emotional support however what we are able to spare financially will not meet the costs of Sam's care... This is where we need help from our friends, family and community.
Bo started riding fortnightly on a Sunday and amongst her many achievements with RDA ponies and with her own horse, she and Sam have ridden for Hong Kong Para Equestrian Team. Sam and Bo specialise in dressage and Bo has also kindly lent Sam so that Epsom RDA riders, including herself, have been able to compete at Regional and National Championships.
Somehow fate/a meeting of the stars/whatever you believe in occurred and these two perfectly matched souls found each other.
Riding Sam is everything to Bo; and being with Bo is everything to Sam. Bo pours all her efforts, emotion and finances into Sam and it shows - he is hands-down the friendliest horse you will ever meet, with the biggest heart, a champion in the riding school and the best equine kisser (honestly, he gives you kisses!)
In August Epsom RDA was broken into...
https://www.geniusequestrian.com/rda-ponies-traumatised-attack/
Sam was also injured in this attack - the perpetrators used the 12”-long, rusty, spiked end of an electric fence post to stab him in his shoulder. I have no doubt that this would have been done at point-blank range as he has had no reason not to trust humans with such an attentive human-Mummy.
Sam became lame after the attack and was referred as an emergency to a specialist Equine Hospital (Liphook) where they conducted surgery to repair a damaged tendon. A deep-rooted septic infection was discovered in surgery and he went back to theatre yesterday (Thursday 6th September) and has 2 drains inserted so the infection site can be flushed regularly. He is double-tied and in a sling so he doesn’t go to the ground - when a poorly horse lays on the floor it is extremely difficult to get them back on their feet and this unusual position compromises other body functions.
Bo is a responsible animal owner and has insurance for Sam, however they have a limit to the financial support they will provide and she is now having to pay for all of his treatment. Bo is also having to take time off work to be with him (and he needs her there - he can hear her voice from 3 fields away!) and she is having to drive for over an hour to be with him from where she lives.
There are challenges with diverting money raised by Epsom RDA to Bo. Regardless of intent or desire, to transfer money raised by Epsom RDA to Bo (and Sam) would be a breach of the charity's constitution; we have therefore come to the conclusion that they require their own fundraising stream.
Nothing that has occurred is any fault of either Bo or Sam and yet both are significantly suffering - physically, emotionally and financially. Bo's friends are providing physical and emotional support however what we are able to spare financially will not meet the costs of Sam's care... This is where we need help from our friends, family and community.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kate Tamsin El Bizanti
Organizer
Wing Bo Chan
Beneficiary
