Royal Velvet, affectionately known as “V”, is only 5 years old, full of life, and one of the sweetest horses at Royce’s Rescue.

But behind his playful, goofy personality, he’s been quietly living with severe pain. He needs your help to give him the future he deserves.

V's Story

V came to Royce's Rescue after being rescued from the racing pipeline. We knew he was special right from the start.

He’s affectionate, kind, and always eager to please. He loves being around people and playing with his pasture mates. His love of children drives has kept him working to becoming a lesson horse. V has helped riders of all levels build confidence.

But something wasn’t right.....

A few months into training, we started noticing signs of discomfort. When ridden, V would swing his neck, resist movement, and show clear signs of pain in his back.

We tried managing it by giving him breaks and adjusting his workload, but deep down, we knew something more serious was going on.

V's Diagnosis & Surgery

After multiple veterinary visits, treatments, and scans, the cause was finally discovered:

A cyst in his spine, directly under the saddle area.

We started with less invasive treatments, injecting his hocks and neck for arthritis, but that didn't work. The pain kept coming back.

Ultimately, we were told that V needed major spinal surgery.

Last week (April 17), surgeons performed a highly invasive procedure to remove the cyst from his spinal bone. His medical team had to literally chisel it away to relieve the source of his pain.

Where V Is Now

V made it through surgery and is now home and stable, beginning a long road to recovery.

But V's journey isn’t over. He still faces:

But now, for the first time, he has a real chance at living and working pain-free.

Why This Matters

Without this surgery, V would never be able to be ridden again.

He would spend his life as a pasture-only horse, limited in what he can do and how he can interact.

That's not V!

Because of this procedure, he has a chance to:

V's Financial Need

Veterinary care for horses isn't cheap, life-saving procedures come with significant cost:

V's current vet bills:

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Royce's Rescue operates entirely on donations.

Unexpected medical emergencies like this put enormous strain on our ability to continue helping animals like V.

How You Can Help V

We are asking for your support to help cover V’s medical expenses and recovery.

Every donation, no matter the size, goes directly toward V's:

If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this campaign can make a huge difference.

V's still just a baby with so much life to live and joy to give. He deserves a future free from pain, where he can run, play, and do all the things he loves to do.

With your help, V can have that chance.

Thank you for supporting Royal Velvet and the mission of Royce's Rescue (click link to find out more about our rescue & other ways to help)

We are fundraising to cover the costs of V's surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing veterinary care.