On June 12th, I got the panicked phone call no horse owner wants to receive: there’s been an accident, call the vet! 

During a completely routine shoeing, Benny slipped and landed on the farrier’s metal tools. I received a picture and thought “No big deal. Probably some stitches and a few weeks off work.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. The vet called a few hours later and started with “I wish I had better news.” I don’t know that I clearly heard much more than her opening line, but we had choices to make. Benny needed to go straight to surgery at Ohio State University or University of Pennsylvania and he needed to go NOW. He was already referred and cleared for surgery, so my boyfriend and I jumped in the truck and made the drive to Columbus. The whole drive I tried to wrap my head around words like: completely bisected, save his life, non weight bearing.

We got to OSU and within 15 minutes they had taken his bloodwork and vitals and they were going to drop him for surgery. We were ushered out of the barn and told no visits due to Corona protocol. My head still whirling, we sat in a hotel room waiting to hear if he survived surgery. Just before 2am, I received a call. Benny had woken up from surgery. His hind right deep digital flexor and superficial digital flexor were completely bisected. His suspensory ligament was 60% cut. They were able to make a good repair and a clean reattachment, but his athletic career was over and our best possible outcome was pasture sound. 

Again, none of these words made sense. She clearly wasn’t talking about MY Benny. The horse who was too small to do the job I wanted but was competitive at A horse shows, the horse who went blind for half a year and regained his sight, the horse who tore his collateral ligament and came back to clinicing with George Morris in the high division. Benny is a fighter. More importantly, he’s the only being that ever truly understood me.  I won’t lie and say he was an easy ride or that he didn’t frustrate me to the point of seeing red some days, but he knew what I needed. When I was sad, he would be the kindest soul and play with my shirt sleeves and nuzzle me. When I wanted to show, he always showed up and gave his best, even when he didn’t feel great. When I just needed a laugh, he always made some silly face and got me out of my funk. He was always there for me. I can’t fathom a life where I can’t see him whenever I want.

As I write this with tears in my eyes, Benny is still at OSU and I am unable to see him. He has had multiple procedures to try to get him comfortable in a splint and special shoe. We are hoping to bring him home in about two weeks; however he will need about a years’ worth of care and rehabilitation. I’m asking for your help as I lost my job in early March due to the virus pandemic. Because I have no income other than unemployment at this time, I am unable to secure any loans or lines of credit. I had dropped equine insurance to help lessen my expenses during my lay off. Any funds raised will go directly to Benny’s veterinary care and rehabilitation expenses. Anything raise in excess of his expenses, will be donated to a veterinary funds for people in my situation.  I know that many people are financially struggling during this time, so if you are unable to make a donation towards Benny’s care, please share his story and say a prayer. We are not out of the woods with his recovery at this time.

Thank you for your support, love and prayers.