Help Mo Fight Cancer

I met my horse, Mo, in August of 2020. At the time, I hadn't touched a horse in years, and knew little about caring for them beyond riding. I wasn't looking for my own horse, I just wanted to see if I could still ride following hip surgery the prior year. When I met Mo, my entire life changed. I would not be who I am today without him, and I cannot imagine my life without him by my side.

Together we have competed in Endurance, shot the intro for an Apple TV series, traveled the country, and battled health issues for both of us. After a health scare in 2022, Mo was off riding entirely for two years, and we worked very slowly to get him back into shape--both physically and emotionally--to return to Endurance. Just when it seemed like he was finally all better and ready for our first 50 this year...he was diagnosed with gastric squamous cell carcinoma.

Gastric SCC is bad news, but we have the benefit of an extremely early diagnosis. Mo is not in pain and does not know that he is sick. We have been working with our local vet as well as a team at UC Davis for the last couple months, and I will be taking him in May to stay in Davis for Chemo for 18 weeks. The doctors at Davis believe that while they may not be able to cure him, treatment should enable him to live for years with minimal discomfort and a high quality of life. Of course, I remain hopeful that Mo will be cured, and that his experience will go on to help other horses battling cancer. (One of the wonderful benefits of working with a research and teaching hospital!)

UC Davis has given me an estimate of about $10,000 for Mo's treatment and associated costs (including imaging, medications, hospitalizations, etc). It will cost me about $2,000 in gas for the round trip to bring him there and home, and I will also need to pay for board in Northern California for 18-20 weeks while he is undergoing treatment, plus gas to bring him to/from the hospital, and trips for me to come visit him.

I have partnered with Live Like Roo, a charity dedicated to helping animals with cancer, to hold this fundraiser for Mo. Because the beneficiary is a charity, all donations to help Mo are tax deductible charity contributions.

I am so thankful for everyone's support as I do everything I can to keep my best friend as healthy as we can for as long possible.