Cosmo's Lymphangitis Care & Healing

The Equipowerment Foundation is raising money to help with the medical bills and ongoing care for our dear Cosmo.

Cosmo a well-respected member of our herd and the mate of Condina (aka Mama), who passed away last month, is needing some support right now. He suffers from an unusual disease called “Lymphangitis”. Something that wouldn’t normally cause an infection in one of our other horses overpowers his lymphatic system and his leg swells up the size of a tree trunk! It’s extremely painful and lethal if not treated right away. There isn’t a cure, and they don’t really know for sure what causes it.

We believe that his grief over the loss of Condina has compromised his immune system, making this bout of Lymphangitis much worse. Although he is in a stall close to the herd, it’s clear he’s missing his love.

Cosmo has been in 24hr home hospital since last week. We are so fortunate to have a vet like Dr. Merle who was able to fashion his stall into a hospital stall so he can heal at home instead of having to go to an animal hospital, which can be a traumatic experience in itself. We’re also blessed to have an SIB team member who is also an advanced level Equinology Equine Body Worker. Debra was able to apply laser treatments on his legs which helped tremendously to get some of the swelling to go down. He’s been needing multiple rounds of IV fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication. It was touch and go for a bit, but he’s now responding very well to his ice baths and his medication regimen. He’s trooper and he wants to feel better.

Cosmo started his therapy horse career after being retired from eventing and then teaching as a school horse. He’s shy, very sensitive and protective of himself. He teaches us about his boundaries, setting our own boundaries, patience and compassion. Once mutual trust and respect is built, he’s an absolute sweetheart. That’s when the “CosmoLove” happens. It’s like an arrow. One minute you’re questioning yourself about fears and regulating them while approaching a horse like him. The next minute he’s lowering his head to your heart as if to say “Thank you, I don’t mean to be grumpy when we meet. That’s over now, let’s be friends.”

Horses don’t normally just allow their legs to be put in freezing cold ice water, let alone in a trash can. This is also what makes Cosmo amazing. He has always been a very good patient despite his sensitivities. He knows we’re trying to help him which takes a HUGE amount of trust both from Cosmo and those of us who are handling him.

We appreciate any amount of donation to Cosmos care. All of these costs do add up and it's donations like yours that help equines like Cosmo to be able to heal, and in turn help others with their healing!

A healthly Cosmo and Condina together before her passing .

True Love