My name is Stefanie, I own Rosewood Equestrian Center in Wisconsin, where I teach horse lessons for all ages. My program focuses on building a well rounded foundation with horses, teaching safety and care at the forefront. Everyone is welcome and it's like one big barn family at Rosewood. At the center of my program was a big, majestic horse named Denver. With a personality larger than life, he commanded love and attention anywhere he went. He was my support, my partner in teaching, and the most mischievous soul I think I've ever met. At the beginning of October, Denver colicked and ended up needing surgery. It was an impaction colic, seemed straight forward all things considered. Unfortunately, 4 days later, Denver was rushed back to surgery. A second surgery was needed as the incision site was splitting. They found infection at the suture line. So they removed what they could and wired him shut. Since, he was having progressingly positive updates... until Sunday, October 12th. First, one wire became loose, a non-important one, but by evening, more had loosened. The really important wires holding him together were failing. By the next day, even more wires were loose and Denver was showing signs of discomfort again. His numbers were all over the place once more, where they had all been normal in the days prior. Our options were all used up, we tried everything we possibly could. I had to make the devastating decision to let him go. Now I'm left with a giant hole in my heart, a huge hole in my program, and an outrageously high vet bill. I'm broken from this, Denver was my savior after I had to put my previous horse down. He pulled me up, dusted me off, and convinced me I could keep going. He kept me in horses when I was ready to throw in the towel. Now he's gone and I think I need help picking up the pieces. Any amount is so greatly appreciated. Thank you from Denver and I. He was so loved and he knew it. ❤️