Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Barn Buddy

Willie's Story
Willie was rescued after a double deck tractor trailer carrying 41 horses and one hinny to a slaughter house wrecked on I-44 in Franklin County on September 27, 2006.  Twenty-six of the animals were saved.  Willie was found alive underneath two dead horses and another live horse that was standing over all of them.  The veterinarian did not think Willie was alive until his eye blinked.  (Rescuers named him “Willie” for his will to live.) He was given fluids and after 15 minutes, he was trying to stand up, but he did not have control of his legs. Can you imagine what four legs being “asleep” for so long would feel like to stand on!  We helped support him until he got his bearings.  After he was stabilized, he was transported to the triage area, given more fluids and then transported to an equine veterinary hospital for monitoring.  Seventeen other horses from the wreck went to four local equine veterinary hospitals for treatment.  After nine days in the hospital, Willie was able to come to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.

Willie's Health
Willie was thin and had pressure sores on the right side of his face, shoulder, hip and legs.  He had a few cuts on his legs, but they weren’t deep, because he was lying under the other horses and couldn’t flail around.  We had to clean the wounds and medicate them daily for several weeks.  He was very good about having it done.  He also had a respiratory infection that was treated with medications twice daily for 10 days.  He has recovered completely.  The neurologic problems with his right legs improved steadily and seem to be completely healed.  Willie was gelded (neutered) so he will be easier to handle and we don’t have to worry about any unplanned foals in his future.  Responsible breeding would reduce the number of unwanted horses and eliminate one of the excuses for horse slaughter!  Willie is fed a good quality grass hay mix and a pelleted grain.  He is de-wormed for external and internal parasites every two months.  He will receive yearly vaccinations, a Coggins Test and have his teeth checked for rough edges.  He will have his hooves trimmed every 8-10 weeks.

Willie's Personality
Willie was not used to being handled when he went into the hospital, but the staff spent time letting him know that the human touch is soothing.  We continued his touch training at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch so that now Willie is a very well behaved guy when he’s lead out or he needs to have his feet picked up.  He is a bit mouthy and we have to watch that he doesn’t bite when he is playing with us.  We gave him a rubber stall ball with a handle on it.  He loves to play with it and bangs it against the wall and the stall front.  Maybe we can turn his talent into a trick!