I am not one to ask for help, but my girl Elsa needs help. Although I strive to do everything I can for my horses, this time I am falling short. I want her to have this chance.... so, I am humbly asking for help. Thank you for taking time to read her story.

Elsa is a beautiful, loving, talented and sassy 11 year old mare. She has had a successful career in dressage; placing at Regional Championships and earning year end USDF awards. In the late summer of 2024, she started to exhibit odd spasms in her front end. It typically only happened in the cross ties in the aisle; but within a month she would also have them in her stall when we started to groom her there. She was taken to a clinic with the thought she was suffering from laminitis, but X rays revealed no change. We decided to treat her like a laminitic horse, deep bedding, bar shoes and pads. The speculation was she might be having insulin spikes causing pain in the laminea. Basic blood work was done with nothing remarkable. Her diet was closely monitored and she remained in light lunge work to keep her strength up. Despite the efforts, her symptoms became more frequent and her ability to pick up her feet became compromised. Mid January of 2025 she was taken to clinic for an evaluation. They quickly labeled her "EPM" and she was started on medication and support for that. By this point she could no longer pick up her feet, her shoes were removed as the farrier was no longer able to work on her safely. After 2 months of EPM treatments, she was no better and in fact getting worse. The spasms remained in the front end and now her hind end also showed some tremors. With her deterioration, it was best to give up any work load and she was only turned out to the field. Throughout the summer her primary Veterinarian kept researching, talking to Universities and consulting colleagues. The consensus from all the professionals was "this is the strangest thing they have seen" and "I have no idea". Elsa was also treated for Lyme disease, showing no improvements. Frustrated and feeling we were missing something, X Rays were requested. Upon radiographing her neck; arthritis was found in C6-C7, enlargement / remodeling of dorsal articular facet. This is likely creating nerve restriction in the spine, causing pain, numbness and weakness, resulting in a condition called radiculopathy. With this information a new search for treatment started, finding the University of Florida offers a new surgery called Endoscopic Foraminotomy. Upon consulting with the University, Elsa appears to be a candidate for this procedure; however more diagnostics need to be done and of course, she will need to go to the University of Florida. Elsa manages well, however her symptoms have started to interrupt her everyday life; at times putting her head down to eat or into a water tank to drink have triggered the spasms. As she continues to decline, euthanasia would eventually be the kindest. However, if she could get to University of Florida for evaluation and additional testing, and be a candidate for the surgery, she has a 80% chance of a normal life again! Although we always try to plan for the unexpected, this is a difficult one to navigate. The cost of the Myelogram can be $3600-$3800 and the surgical cost $3800-$4600. Shipping and post care will be close to $6000, and there is a certainty of additional expenses through her journey. As much as I want this for her, I simply do not have the means. If you can find it in your heart to help Elsa, we would be forever grateful!