Can you help Ell?
​This sweet lil' mustang deserves it! 

With everyone's help, we can make sure Ell has the best chance at a pain free life. Initial surgery and care costs (e.g. surgery, hospitalization, diagnostics, medications, vaccines, exams, etc.) are in the $2500 to $3000 range, barring any complications. If another surgery is needed, we'll keep you updated and revisit funding, if necessary.   Learn more about, Ell below.

Ell had his first surgery on September 6, 2022. 

Update on Elliott's medical costs: Initial surgery and care costs were $3625, followed by a procedure that was $1576, and a few other vet visits bring the total medical costs to $5500.13. 
If donating by PayPal, please note in the "Add special instructions to the seller" box that your donation is for Ell.
​Thank you!
Ell is a young, captive bred/born mustang, only about 18 months old (born in March 2021), who arrived at AAE in August 2022 after a local family reached out for help. They "rescued" young Ell when they got "the ugly colt" for free from a backyard breeder. They were told he needed "a little" cosmetic surgery. They felt really bad for the skinny little guy and wanted to get him out of there. Sadly, the breeder didn't take responsibility for the "little" issue and passed it on to the unsuspecting family. They really wanted to help.

After meeting with two different vets right away and trying to help Ell, they realized this was more than a "little" surgery. There was added concern that Ell might be a hermaphrodite, and it could be more complicated than cosmetic. Surgery costs were much more than "little".  After many months of trying to meet Ell's needs, they realized it was more than they could manage. They wanted the best chance for Ell and reached out to AAE for help.

You see, Ell was born with a congenital abnormality - Ell has a sheath, but he has no penis (though, there's a chance it's inside him). For now, we assume Ell is a colt, but missing his part. We're waiting for updated blood results to check testosterone levels. Could there be a hidden testicle or two, too?

Update:  Lab results are in, testosterone and anti-mullerian hormone levels were consistent with the presence of functional testicular tissue. The levels suggest Ell has a retained testicle.  This means he will also need a more complicated castration because the testicle is not where it's supposed to be.

Ell is able to pass urine, but no big surprise, without a penis, Ell can't urinate normally. Urine dribbles from his sheath almost continuously. Sadly, the urine scalds Ell's skin around his sheath, down his belly, and down his legs. Poor little thing, it's so painful. Though we are doing what we can to minimize the scalding, it's painful being treated, too.

Ell needs surgery to remove excess sheath tissue to allow urine to flow freely. Based on recent lab results, a second surgery is likely. For now, we'll focus on fixing the sheath.

All things considered, Ell is the sweetest little thing. That said, Ell has some strong opinions about things and wasn't very good with hoof handling. Considering sheath cleanings and scalding, it's understandable. He's learning to give his hooves, and we're working on the basics, too, like trimming his hooves, vaccines, and a change in diet to help him put on a little weight. Ell's already come a long way in a short time at AAE. Let's give him a chance!​

Update:  Ell is continuing progress, he's becoming much more agreeable with the basics, but he is a little biter!  He typically protests with a little bit....a little pinch of the skin that leaves an unsuspecting handler with a little burn!  

Update (9/6/22): Very good news, Ell's surgery went well today! The power of prayer works, and we can't thank you enough for giving Ell this opportunity.

Even better news, the missing part has been found!  Ell, in fact, has a penis, and the first thing he did when he got up after surgery was urinate freely like a normal horse. Hallelujah!!  We literally cried tears of joy at the news. Such a relief for him....and the rest of us, too.

We still have the likely testicle to deal with down the road a bit, but for now, he can recover and enjoy a much better quality of life!!

Update (9/24/22): Due to the fire evacuation warning, Ell remained at Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center for about a week or so after his surgery. We are happy to announce that Ell is back at AAE, and we are so happy this sweet guy is back home. He has a large surgical site, but he is healing well.  

​Best of all, when he urinates, urine flows freely and is no longer "trapped" in his sheath. He has at least a few weeks of healing ahead, and once the healing is done, we'll revisit the search for a testicle or two. Until then, we're all hoping for quick healing and a speedy recovery. Oh, and we've changed his name just a tad, he's now Elliott! Thank you to everyone that assisted with these efforts for Ell. He is beyond grateful for your donations and support, and so are we!!