Fargo Is Fighting For His Life

Gayle and Fargo desperately need our help! On May 15th, Fargo began to show signs of mild colic.  Symptoms progressed and it soon became clear that he needed clinical intervention. Fargo spent one night at  Prineville Veterinary Clinic, in ICU on IV fluids and recovered enough to safely return home with Gayle.

Fargo seemed to be feeling better and was back in his position of leadership within his home herd. He was ridden in his original birthplace of the Ochoco National Forest (yes, Fargo was once a wild mustang of the Big Summit herd), energetic and unwavering. No recurrence of the first colic episode was evident, until last Tuesday. For two months, Fargo had appeared in good health, until something again changed. 

This second incidence appeared mild and he was responsive to Banamine, doing well during that first night. On Wednesday, it became clear however that he was not fine and they went back to the Prineville clinic. After fluids were administered orally, blood-work was tested and revealed a low-grade infection. Fargo was released to come home with antibiotics and even approved to have a little alfalfa.

Fargo's condition did not improve and soon began to replicate the horrific scenario which had resulted in the loss of his herd mate (also from the same wild herd) just 3 weeks earlier. He could not drink, despite an obvious and desperate desire to, and it was clear that Fargo needed to be taken to Bend Equine immediately. 

This most beloved boy has been at Bend Equine since Wednesday evening, thoroughly assessed and kept on continual fluids and appropriate medications with periodic re-evaluations. Fargo is fighting hard and showing everyone that he is trying to the best of his ability. At this point, his colon needs to begin to function normally, which he seems to be inching towards, but he will need meticulous care and flow of IV fluids/medications provided by the highly skilled staff at Bend Equine, until his own system can take over. It has been touch and go, but Fargo is giving it his all... as are his team members.

As you can imagine, with the high level of skilled care that is being provided in an effort to save this sweet boy's life, the costs will be extremely high. Gayle and those standing with her are determined to give Fargo everything they can to try and get him successfully through this. Nobody is ready to lose this most incredible, tough, devoted mustang boy, and when you stand with him in his stall, he communicates that he is not ready to give up. We have to keep trying.

Fargo means the world to Gayle, and if you know her, you know that she dedicates every waking hour of her life to the Big Summit wild herd and wild horses everywhere.  She is their champion, guardian, advocate and warrior... and she needs her Fargo to stay by her side if at all possible. Please help us to help her and Fargo try to make it through this scary time... and no matter what, the love that surrounds them both will carry her through. 

Please consider a donation of any amount... everything adds up to be meaningful and helpful! Not only will your donation help with Fargo's vet bills, but it will speak to the value of life and how we can all come together to create possibilities that simply don't exist when we have to stand alone.