MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WGN) — A therapy horse that helps kids with special needs almost suffered "catastrophic" injuries Saturday after he got stuck in a tree.
Joe the horse was in the pasture Saturday afternoon when it was time to go back into the barn at Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited, a non-profit based in Merrillville, Indiana.
"We went to go bring horses in from the pasture, their ankles were deep in mud from the rain and snow," said Morgan Fields, an employee at Exceptional Equestrians. "We noticed Joe standing under the tree, but he wasn't moving."
Once staff members got closer, they noticed that Joe's hoof was stuck in the "V" of the trunk.
"If he tried to jump through (the tree), there would have been catastrophic injuries," Fields said. "We thought, 'Are we going to have to watch this horse that we love die?'"
Joe has been a part of Exceptional Equestrians for the last eight years. The nonprofit helps kids with disabilities and says that in addition to helping to build self-confidence and communication skills, horse riding can improve muscle issues.
To help free Joe, frantic calls were made to 911 as well as to friends at Excelsior Equestrian Center.
The group knew it was crucial to keep Joe calm, but the pressure of the moment was one of the things that helped save him.
"A wonderful trainer showed up and Joe was so exhausted, he didn't have enough room to expand his lungs, so he passed out," Fields said.
Once he lost consciousness, the group lifted his hooves and used ropes to get Joe out of the tree.
The Hobart Fire Department helped flip Joe over so he wouldn't injure himself on the tree getting up.
"Seeing Joe get to his feet and walk calmly back to the barn, bearing weight on all four legs was nothing short of a miracle," Fields wrote on Exceptional Equestrians' Facebook page.
Joe, who suffered some abrasions, is "not out of the woods" but is doing much better.
"Joe is doing well and might be enjoying just a little spoiling!" Exceptional Equestrians said on Facebook.
The tree was cut down Sunday to prevent this from happening again. The nonprofit said it is planning fundraising efforts to provide shelter from the elements for the horses "now that the natural shade in this pasture is no more."
