Our beautiful mare Neeka (Ineke fan de Groenbank) has today been diagnosed with an exceptionally rare and devastating eye disease seen almost exclusively in Friesian horses: Bilateral Corneal Stromal Loss. It has only ever been documented in a handful of Friesians worldwide.

Just over a week ago Neeka developed ulcers in both eyes. One eye deteriorated rapidly and began showing highly unusual changes. Our vet immediately referred her to Chris Dixon at Veterinary Vision, a leading equine ophthalmologist. Today, after thorough examination, the diagnosis came – one we never could have anticipated.

Neeka underwent urgent surgery this afternoon. Although she has come through it bravely, Chris believes she will almost certainly require further surgical interventions in the months ahead to give her the best chance of retaining comfort and vision.

Today’s veterinary bill alone is £3,500, and we have purchased an Equivisor for her post-operative protection at just under £300. While we have already received some very kind and heartfelt donations, the reality is that the road ahead will be long, unpredictable, and expensive.

We are launching this GoFundMe so that those who love Neeka, follow her journey, or simply want to help a horse facing an almost unheard-of condition, can support the specialised care she urgently needs. By sharing her path openly, we also hope Neeka’s story will help vets, owners and breeders understand this rare disease and recognise it sooner in others.

Who Neeka Is – And Why Her Story Matters

Neeka is one of our cherished Friesian mares, the very first Friesian bred in the UK by embryo transfer and born right here at Greenbank Farm and loved by so many who have met her over the years. Sensitive, intelligent, and deeply emotional, she has always been a horse who feels everything.

Those who know her will remember:

Her anxious, watchful nature

Her need for reassurance and quiet understanding

Her tendency to worry far more than her sisters

For years, we have supported her through these behavioural challenges, always trying to help her feel safe in her world.

Now that we have this diagnosis, so much finally makes sense.

Hindsight is a wonderful – and painful – thing.

This progressive, bilateral disease would likely have been affecting her vision for years in ways no one could have detected without very specialist imaging. Her anxiety, her hesitance, her sudden worries… they were not temperament quirks at all. They were the quiet signs of a horse whose world was slowly becoming harder to see.

If only we had known earlier.

If only this disease were better understood.

If only these subtle changes had been recognised for what they really were.

But now we do know, and we are determined to give Neeka the very best chance of a comfortable future.

What Your Support Will Help With

Your donations will go directly toward:

Specialist ophthalmic surgeries

Follow-up scans, examinations and sedation

Medications and protective equipment

Ongoing monitoring and aftercare

Any further procedures needed to stabilise her condition

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us move one step closer to safeguarding Neeka’s comfort and wellbeing.

Why This Matters Beyond Neeka

Because this condition is so rare and poorly understood, Neeka’s case may help other Friesians in the future. By documenting her journey – the symptoms, the progression, the treatments – we hope vets and owners will benefit from the knowledge gained through her experience.

Neeka may end up helping far more horses than just herself, just like her sister Ischka who passed at the tender age of 5 with the hereditary aortopulmonary fistulation. Her own story went on to offer support to many other Friesian owners around the world.

Please Help Us Give Her the Future She Deserves

Neeka has given us her whole heart for so many years.

Now, we have the chance to give something back.

If you are able to donate, share this campaign, or simply send her your love, we are deeply grateful. Between us we can give Neeka comfort, hope, and the very best care modern equine medicine can offer.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Tracey & the team at The Friesian Experience Sanctuary

Greenbank Farm