For equine athletes, returning to competition after surgery takes more than time. It requires a carefully managed combination of veterinary care, rehabilitation, conditioning, and a team committed to helping the horse regain the strength and confidence needed to perform again.
For Half Moon Bay, also known as “Sunny,” that journey began in January 2026.
On January 8, Sunny underwent a foraminotomy, performed as part of his treatment under the care of the veterinary team at Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals. Following surgery, the focus quickly shifted from treatment to recovery and to giving Sunny the best opportunity to return to the work he loved.
Shortly after surgery, Sunny transitioned into BVEH’s rehabilitation program. His initial recovery presented several challenges. Rehabilitation evaluations documented significant muscle atrophy through his topline, weakness through his core and hind limbs, and difficulty maintaining balance during certain movements. When asked to navigate tighter patterns, he could lose the cadence of his walk and demonstrate signs of hind-limb weakness.
Rather than simply waiting for strength to return, Sunny’s team developed a structured rehabilitation program designed around his individual needs. His progressive program incorporated controlled exercise, targeted proprioceptive and core therapy, and Aquatred sessions. Each component allowed his team to gradually challenge his body while closely monitoring his strength, coordination, and fatigue.
And slowly, progress began to show.
By February, Sunny’s movement had improved considerably. An objective movement assessment on February 13 identified only extremely mild, intermittent right-front asymmetry at the trot. After more than a month of closely managed rehabilitation, Sunny was discharged on February 17 with an individualized home exercise and conditioning program so his progress could continue beyond the hospital.
Sunny’s recovery didn’t end when he was discharged from rehabilitation. He continued to be monitored and treated as he worked toward returning to full athletic function. At the end of March, he reached the milestone everyone had been working toward: Sunny was cleared to return to work!
In late June, he and Megan Young won a USHJA Hunter 2’6” class with a score of 85 and added another top three finish with a score of 84.75. Sunny then competed at World Equestrian Center and quickly proved he was back in form. During the WEC summer circuit, Sunny won three of his four classes and placed fifth under saddle in a division of approximately 25 horses. He finished the event with Reserve Champion honors in the 2’9” division with Daniel Geitner.
The ribbons tell an exciting story, but what they represent means even more. Earlier this year, Sunny was rebuilding strength, balance, and coordination one step at a time. His return to the show ring and his ability to compete successfully once he got there is a testament to the dedication behind every stage of his recovery.
Sunny’s journey brought together the BVEH veterinary and rehabilitation teams, Dr. Tena Ursini, his owner Alison Kratish, and the trainers and riders who continued his conditioning and competing.
