Please Support Coco's Recovery from Devastating Burns

On the morning of November 14, 2024, seven horses were involved in a devastating barn fire in Eatonton, GA. Due to the quick action of their owner who entered the blazing barn without regard to personal harm, 6 of the horses were evacuated to safety but one was tragically lost to the blaze. One of the horses was seen with its mane on fire when leaving the barn. When all of the horses were caught, one had open wounds and ash covered the horse from ears to tail. The owners called for veterinary assistance and Dr. Caitlyn McCaulley of Countryside Equine Hospital in Covington arrived to provide medical assistance.

Five of the six horses were evaluated and treated for minor injuries, however the sixth horse was going to require much more care. Coco Channel, a 6 year old Quarter Horse mare had obvious burns. After triage, she was treated for systemic shock, smoke inhalation, and burns. Initially, wound care and treatment were performed at home by the owners.

Six days later, Coco was not doing well. The owners brought Coco to the equine hospital in Covington for reevaluation where it was determined that her wounds were much more extensive than on initial presentation. Just as in people, burn wounds in horses take days to fully mature and the damage to declare itself.

In this visit we learned that approximately 30% of her skin will be lost in the coming weeks. Extensive body burns of this nature on horses generally result in the horse being euthanized.

NOTE: Coco is on constant pain relievers and is sedated for treatment.

Coco is a fighter and wants to live. Her owners want her to recover and come home. They want to give Coco every chance at recovery and a normal future knowing that it will be a very long and costly endeavor. Coco's progress is good despite her ordeal. She requires hospitalization and several hours of care daily and receives treatments ranging from the most primitive wound care techniques to innovative mecical therapies. However, her care comes at a significant cost. For just the first two weeks in the hospital, the cost is approximately $10,000. Please help the Manley family provide Coco's care for her healing journey. Please help us save this sweet girl. Here's the newpaper article about the fire. Please see below for more info to donate.

Please note that when you donate through Gofundme, the calculated gratuity is optional and may be changed to any amount including zero. Also note that if you want to donate directly to the hospital you may call Countryside Equine Hospital in Covington (706-787-4711) and ask to speak to Ricarda Mollenbrink. She can help you with this option. We deeply appreciate any and all support as we root for sweet Coco's recovery.

Update: December 18, 2024

We were able to observe Coco receiving a treatment at the hospital today. Even though this picture shows much more redness, the doctors say Coco is healing well and her trauma is improving. The broader areas of redness are due to loss of skin.

Update: December 28, 2024

Brenda, Coco's horse mom owner, went to see Coco on December 28. This is her update:

Went to see Coo yesterday.. they had already treated her and she was in her stall....While I could only see her eyes and her egs, I was impressed by the strength in her eyes. She was confident and happy. She was glad to see us, but she was eating her alfalfa and wanted to relish every mouthful. We took pictures and patted her face, rubbed her legs and told her we would see her again in a few days. We left feeling that whatever was beneath that blanket, God has this in His hands. We are so thankful for her caregivers, her veterinarians, and her friends who have so generously donated to her care. As Jellyroll sings.. "Everything is going to be alright"