Others Gave Up On Him, But I Won’t

I bought this young TB gelding Bailey with hope that after retiring my heart horse due to kissing spine, I might finally have a partner to ride, grow with, and build a future around. He was sweet, honest, and had all the potential in the world.

What I didn’t know was that I was walking into heartbreak again.

I was misled regarding his condition by the people who sold him to me. He was passed off as sound, ready to work — but something felt off. Instead of writing him off like so many others had, I dug deeper. I listened. I had him evaluated. And I finally got an answer: kissing spine. Again.

He’s only seven years old.

He’s been bounced from barn to barn because no one wanted to spend the time or money to figure out why he was uncomfortable.

But the truth is — this horse is not broken. He’s been in pain… but it’s treatable!

He needs the cranial wedge ostectomy surgery at Oregon State University — a procedure that can give him a full, pain-free life and the ability to return to work. He’s already shown he loves having a job. He has the brain, the heart, and the talent. The only thing in his way is the pain — and the $5,000 cost of the procedure that could take it away.

I’m committed to giving him this chance, but I can’t do it alone. I’ve spent thousands trying to make my other gelding comfortable in his retirement and did not plan on taking on another medical project.

If you’ve ever lost a horse to something fixable, you know how much this means.

If you’ve ever had one who tried anyway, even when they were hurting, you know what kind of heart that takes.

That’s the kind of horse he is. He longs for a job and a partner, and I so badly want that for him… and for me!

If you’re able to donate — whether it’s $5 or $50 — it will go directly toward his surgery and recovery. If you can’t give, please consider sharing this. Every bit helps.

He deserves a chance to grow into the horse I believed he could be — and this time, with the comfort and care he’s never truly had.

Thank you for considering helping Bailey. He really is the bestest boy.