Help save Ace the formerly wild Kaimanawa horse

UPDATE- Unfortunately Ace lost his battle, he fought so hard. Not only is Melissa devastated at the loss of Ace, but she is also having to contend with huge financial stress of a massive vet bill. If anyone can help ease the pain just a little by donating we would be extremely grateful.

Meet Ace a wild heart with a gentle soul. He was mustered from the 2025 muster and paired with my sister Melissa. His trust and willingness was evident from the beginning.

Sadly, yesterday everything changed. Ace needed to be gelded as part of his transition into domestic life. Shortly after his gelding surgery, Ace suffered a complication and developed severe colic.

In Ace’s case, the colic rapidly worsened. Without immediate surgical intervention, Ace would die.

He was rushed to the equine hospital where vets performed emergency colic surgery. Ace fought hard – and he made it through the night.

But now my sister is facing another enormous challenge: the cost.

The total cost of Ace’s emergency care and surgery has exceeded $20,000. This includes:

• Emergency vet call-out

• Hospitalisation and intensive care

• Diagnostic imaging and tests

• Colic surgery

• Post-operative medication and monitoring

Melissa has covered the initial deposit but the scale of this has far surpassed anything she could have ever prepared for.

That’s why I am reaching out to you – our community of animal lovers, horse advocates, and kind-hearted supporters – to help her give Ace the second chance he’s fought so hard to earn.