Shai's Emergency Colic Surgery

Certainly Shai is a wonderful horse, a beautiful horse.  Her former trainer said yesterday, she is the perfect horse.  In her 23 years she has safely taught dozens of young girls, including my daughter Elle, how to ride in a variety of disciplines both Western and English.  She is sweet, uncomplicated and always takes care of her rider, whether skilled or never been on a horse.  She is the daughter of Simeon Shai, a world, US, Canadian, and Australian Champion in Halter Class who was famous throughout the Arabian Horse community.  Yesterday morning she was found on the ground, covered in mud, in a great deal of pain and obviously collicking.  The vet said she needs to be trailered to Steinbeck (equine hospital) ASAP or she might die.  Surgery was determined to be the only option.  We agreed hoping it was a simple compaction or twist of the gut.  Once the surgeon opened her up it proved to be much worse.  15 feet of her small intestine had been strangled by 2 lipomas, which are fatty tumors that can wrap around the intestines, cutting off the blood supply and causing the tissue to die.  That section of her intestine had to be cut out or resectioned and the live tissue on either end sewn back together.  The operation took 8 hours and litterally saved her life.  She is now on her feet and in a recovery stall where she will remain for the next 10 days.  The surgery and associated after care is expensive, but once they opened her up and determined that the problem could be fixed we could not let her die on the table.  It was an unexpected event and unfortunately, an unplanned for expense.  The pre-op deposit was $6000 which were able to cover on credit.  The balance of approximately $8000 is due on her release from the hospital which should be in 7-10 days.  Unfortuanetly, again, we don't have that.  This is where Shai needs your help.  We need to raise $8000 soon in order to bring Shai home to her family and her stable mate Sonny and her son Cutler where she will have a much better chance of a full recovery in familiar surroundings and with people who love her and know just how special a horse she is.  If you could possibly help out with funding Shai's release and recovery in any way it would be more than appreciated.  Please help us bring Shai home.  Thank you. Brian, Holly and Elle.