UPDATE***** 3/5/17 Hunter seems in good spirits considering and looks to be staying on track with the psyllium daily treatments and sand/Crushed shell removal estimated to be getting about a half a pound out of sand a day at the rate that he's getting right now and if he doesn't have any issues continuing he should be great by The next few weeks! Not sure if the metal will pass and his: but continuing to pray about that one!Today UF called to check on him and I spoke to Dr. McLean gave the OK to give him antacid/anti-gas supplement along with treatment has already been prescribed to help his belly. Still trying to raise enough for the procedure since it's a slight chance that this will work to remove the metal in his colon doctors okayed us to stretch the three week to visit out to a month or better if he seems like he's OK and not having any other issues! He's been through so much in his life I want to be able to give him the surgery if he needs it he such a sensational horse under saddle and really takes care of his riders (with the exception of one time when he was in pain and trying to tell us) he really does have a heart of gold. Back up for diagnostic tests and more x-rays to reveal the outcome in about a month and a half if we can keep him comfortable until then! Please keep sharing any donation even a dollar would help this horse! We've had such a great outpouring of heartfelt donations unfortunately the procedure has to be paid in full they do not bill and I would want his see him get it when he goes up for the next visit.
3/2/17 received discharge paperwork and Hunter has to go back up after we do at home intensive psyllium treatments. They want to see him anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks or sooner if something happens and he's not progressing well while trying to flush them from sand. We opted to keep him home versus have them do the nasogastric psyllium flush a few times in 3-4 days up there at the hospital because it was $2000 and still not guaranteed to be helpful so I opted for hom treatment over a month and Much rather save up for $ 5000 procedure in the event that flushing him slowly at home does not work or if we can at least get the sand and gravel out and if needed have the huge staple removed! Found some psyllium for him today and started him on treatment at home also ordered some online and a 50 pound bucket it's going to take a lot of psyllium and a lot of praying that he does not colic

3/1/17 I spoke again with UF Dr. McClain he was very nice , informative and was super helpful in giving me the breakdown of fees to prepare us! Hunters diagnostic work up is going to be around $560-$600 includes physical exam ,rectal exam, endoscopy exam for urethra and bladder scope, $250-$350 for CBC/ chem blood work up, standing procedure which includes two nights hospital stay $2000 Plus/- $200 to $300. Doctors are hoping to get away with the standing however if General Anesthesia is needed then the procedure would run $3000-$5000.we are now leaving early Wednesday morning and should be there by late morning they will do the diagnostic work up and physical exams early afternoon and will go from there With surgery plan. Praying all goes well and it can just be a simple standing procedure and there's just One or two bladder stones. Prayers needed for out gentle giant "Hunter" . I had such a great weekend showing in with pony parties but reality hits me like a ton of bricks and I'm so sad for our beautiful Hunter he has been with us for just two years and given every bit of his very young life to our program and we have just found out last week after a stressful night with him Thursday and him "telling me " something isn't right it's obvious that he must have surgery or laser procedure for his bladder or kidneys possibly both to eliminate stones before we lose him. He's never a wimp or complainer about being worked. He's slowly going down hill increasing the in discomfort despite meds and herbal remedies and I can't watch him be in excruciating pain any longer. He is only 7yo this year and has his whole life ahead of him. He also may have some more underlying issues so I am taking him to UF in Gainesville this week the travel expenses, diagnostics, treatment , procedure and follow ups will be extremely costly so I am opening this Go Fund Me page and have a "Friends and Families" pay pal account with out fees [email redacted] as well any donation will go directly to him and expenses payments will be recorded. Feed bill is already astronomical and just found amazing forever homes for Bonita and Ruby but I don't want Hunter to perish before I can get him help as his time is limited with this condition and he had fed our other rescues that are not ridden for a very long time! Hunter has a heart of gold and deserves the best after being our worst to best neglect case yet. God bless you Hunter we love you ! Here is his page