Children's therapy horse needs just a little help

I was trying to do a GOOD thing, and it has backfired.

Sid is not an average horse. Bred to race, his owners soon discovered that it just was not in him. Happily, though, the same qualities that made him a loser at the racetrack created a winner in a different career. That's how we met.

I was a volunteer with a non profit program using horses to help kids with psychological and/or emotional issues. Sid was donated to our program, and his calm, forgiving nature made him very successful .

When that program folded, Sid wound up with me, but continued as a "therapist" part time ---he even took a young lady to a horse show for Special Olympics! As my partner, Sid has had a wide variety of great experiences. We have ridden along very busy roads, through rivers and lakes, in a parade, we've even ridden across the state of Michigan, camping along the way. He did this all uncomplainingly, even enjoyed most of it.

He's still young-ish (he's only 15), but sadly, I'm not. I've retired, and can no longer afford to keep a horse. I was all set (I thought) to donate him to another program that uses horses as therapy for kids. As he's already been a star in a similar program, he would be a great fit for this one. I was trying to do a good thing by donating him, and it backfired. Unfortunately, their veterinarian found something wrong in one of his eyes, and now for the program to consider him, he needs a more comprehensive ophthamological examination. The cost of this is estimated to be a minimum of $400, but more likely to be in the $5 to $600 dollar range. With the proper diagnosis, he can be treated, possibly saving his eye. The cost of this extra examination just does not fit in my retirement budget.

Sid has proven himself as a very special horse who deserves the opportunity to continue in a path that obviously he thrives in, while at the same time helping others.

I thank you for reading this, and hope you'll consider donating to this deserving guy!