Sunman back to competing after successful double operation
He was diagnosed with insidious and chronic forms of Equine Recurrent Uveities (ERU) in his left and right eyes. He also had glaucoma in his left eye.
Sunman, the horse with a heart of gold, got back to competitive action at the Gauteng Showjumping and Western Shoppe Championships at Kyalami Equestrian Park on June 9 after recovering from a double eye operation.
The 21-year-old Appaloosa, from Criss-Cross Stables, was diagnosed with insidious and chronic forms of Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) in his left and right eyes. He also had glaucoma in his left eye.
According to the owner, Laura Hibbitt, two vets misdiagnosed the horse two years ago, claiming he had an infection, but his condition kept deteriorating.
She then took him to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Hospital in Pretoria last year and was advised Sunman needed a double surgery.
Hibbit explained to the Benoni City Times in February that Sunman’s left eye needed to be removed while his right one needed a transplant and she had to raise around R60 000 for the horse’s surgery in both eyes.
She raised all the funds and the surgery was successful.
Hibbitt and Sunman were back in the thick of things at the provincial championships, competing in the 1m class after eight months of inactivity.
“On Sunday, we could do what we love when we competed at the Gauteng Champs. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us on this journey,” Hibbitt said.
Local showjumpers Nicola-Sime Riley and Victoria Greyvensteyn also took part in the competition.
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