Support for Sugar

************** 9/8/23 Update **************

The spinal tap results are in and Sugar is negative for EPM. This may sound like good news, but this narrows down the issue to likely being in her brain. The ophthalmologist said while her eyesight is diminishing, the issue isn’t the eye itself—it’s the brain.

Julianna and Trish will be loading Sugar up on Tuesday and taking her to NC state. The $5,000 quote from them was just for diagnostics. Sugar will likely be there for days, and that cost is incredibly pricey. Thank you so much to those who have donated and shared! Please continue to do so—they need our help now more than ever.

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A few years ago, I met Julianna Lucarelli and her girls through our mutual love of horses. Since then, I have witnessed her daughters, Bella and Addison, grow as remarkable and talented young horsewomen. They have both trained their young, green horses themselves to be successful show ponies.

Bella has trained her horse, Sugar, to championship levels, showing successfully at First Level dressage and Beginner Novice jumping.

Even more importantly, they have created everlasting relationships with their horses. They spend countless hours in the barn taking care of these animals to the best of their ability and they have for nearly their entire lives. To see them together is to see what we equestrians aim for all along-- a true heartfelt, strong connection with our partners that knows no boundaries. Sugar would go to the ends of the earth for her kid, Bella Lucarelli.

Recently Bella's horse, Sugar, has experienced health concerns, and the diagnosis is uncertain. Julianna has worked closely with our local vet to exhaust all options, including labwork and an Ophthalmologist referral. The Ophthalmologist is suggesting that Sugar is losing her eyesight, but that the issue is not with the eye itself; there is some disconnect between the brain and the eye. Sugar will have a spinal tap this upcoming week to look closer at the spinal column and test for any possible infection there.

This diagnosis, or lack of one, is exhausting emotionally and financially. Julianna is fighting for this pony to have a diagnosis so she can begin treatment, but as of right now, there isn't one to offer yet. It is looking like she will need to take the horse to a University for further testing and, hopefully, treatment.

Julianna has exhausted herself emotionally and financially to help support Sugar and Bella through this difficult time. Without a current diagnosis paired with the idea that she will now have to trailer the horse to a local University, Julianna is looking at major medical bills in the future. NC state has quoted Julianna $5,000 just for diagnostics--this does not include any treatment or board while Sugar is in their care, and, as we all know, this adds up incredibly quickly.

Equestrians know that we will exhaust all options for our partners, but truly, Julianna goes above and beyond and will likely continue until Sugar has some sort of prognosis to work with. Julianna will never admit it or ask for it, but she is in need of our help. I can think of no one more deserving, and Sugar and Bella will forever be grateful for the support.

Any financial support will go directly to Julianna to help with veterinary bills. I will keep this post updated with any news to share in regard to Sugar.