Parade horse injured on the way to inauguration festivities

Fortunately for an appaloosa parade horse named Mouse, the Humane Society of the United States was on hand for the inauguration festivities in Washington today to provide assistance in the case of animal-related emergencies. 

On the way to the Inauguration Day parade, Mouse backed into a heavy-duty truck. When responders arrived at the scene, "Mouse was lying on the ground with his hindquarters suspended in the air and his rear leg caught in the front grill," says the HSUS.

Lt. Colonel John Stott of the U.S. Army Veterinary Services and others worked to stabilize Mouse before he could be transported by ambulance to the Prince George's County Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Scotlund Haisley, senior director of Emergency Services at the HSUS, said: "When the HSUS first came upon the scene, things were looking dire for Mouse. I did not think he would survive....Twelve men and women labored for nearly two hours to untangle Mouse's leg so that he could be transported for further treatment." 

PETA released the following statement about the horse's close call:

It's a shame that on a day when our nation is full of hope, Mouse was severely injured in a preventable accident. Horses are easily frightened and have no place amidst traffic and throngs of people. Subjecting these sensitive animals to the chaos of the inauguration is highly stressful, and as witnessed today, dangerous for them and for onlookers. We wish Mouse a speedy recovery and hope the Inaugural Committee will leave all animals out of future ceremonies.

Mouse is expected to recover from his injuries. 

Another parade horse named Showtime was treated for gastric distress, but recovered in time to participate in the parade. Showtime, an appaloosa-Palomino cross, is the only horse to have participated in inaugural parades for both Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Correction: We originally stated that "Mouse was hit by a heavy-duty truck."  We've since learned that he backed into the truck.

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Kate Mitchell of Lexington, Ky., holds Mouse down as officials bandage his leg after he was injured while walking to the Inauguration Day parade.  Credit: Kevin Wolf / Associated Press.

Comments

[Laura of NJ]

Was Mouse on the loose when this happened? How fast was the driver of the truck going so as not to see him in time? What's the whole story? Lot of missing info. Most important, my heart goes out to this guy as I have had the same experience in the past myself and I was on the horse, driver's fault and I was the only one seriously injured! PETA...not all animals should be restricted from events such as this, some are quite at ease in these types of situations. The Appaloosa is one breed that the US Government tried to wipe out at one time due to racism and should be in parades to show the true Spirit of America, check your history books on the Nez Perce Indians...Laura

[Beth]

Mouse was NOT hit by a truck, Mouse became frightened of a buggy and BACKED into the truck and then kicked out at it. At that point his back hoof became intangled in the winch. He was freed 20 minutes later, and at no time was the injury "life threatening". Geez! Learn how to REPORT!

[Mary Ellen]

I agree with PETA...why subject animals to the stress and noise of this event?
Hopefully everything and everyone who was involved in this gargantuan celebration won't regret it later in the event this country country to falter on a downard spiral despite all the pomp that transpired.
Unfortunately this celebration is another sign that Americans haven't forgotten about conspicuous consumption.

[Cary]

I have personally ridden in many parade's. The Fort Worth Stock Show parade is a big event with lots of people and floats. Horses are just fine if they have been acclimated to this type of thing. I even had a stud horse whom I rode that was very attracted to the mares and all I had to do was rub a little Vick's vapor rub under his nose so he could not smell the girls and he was genital as a lamb. Horses make parades. I am sorry Moose got into trouble but when dealing with horses that can happen anywhere. You just have to be careful. Get well soon Moose and hope to see you in 4 years.

[Terri D.]

I have to agree with PETA... horses are very easily spooked and should not be in these types of crowded events where there is alot of activity/noise. That goes for all animals. These animals don't want to do this... they want to be out grazing in a field where they belong. When are people going to wake up and stop using animals for entertainment purposes. Then when something bad happens, they will analyze it to death wondering how it occurred.

[Peggy B]

Oh for Pete's sake Terri D and PETA. I'd reather be sitting on my couch eating cookies than working, but there is dignity in labor. Let the horses contribute to their very expensive upkeep by carrying riders in parades, carrying police, pulling carriages, helping with farm chores, etc. The rest of their existance is paid for by their owners. Accidents happen. Should we all just sit in little padded rooms to keep us all from danger?

[Reader]

Sorry Laura, but the idea that because Appaloosas were once endangered means that we should now endanger them again is just bizarre.

Leave horses out of this kind of dangerous crowd situation. This poor horse nearly lost his life for no good reason and, if it's true that he wasn't hit but in fact spooked and kicked out, a person could also have been hurt or killed.

People keep using animals, and putting them in inappropriate situations because they refuse to examine the possibility that what was done in the past may not have been the smartest or most humane thing. What does it take for us to start re-thinking our lives in relation to animals?

[nunya]

the horse spooked at a carriage. the truck was parked.

[Barbara S]

Reading the comments from the PETA and HSUS supporteers just reconfirms for me that they don't know a thing about the animals they want to regulate. Accidents can happen ANYWHERE! I've had horses injure themselves from just running around loose in an open field. Let's do a little statisitical analysis before we start passing more bans. How many horses participate in parades every year? How many of them get hurt? If you can't answer that with a large number, then stop telling us it needs to be banned.

[ridermedic]

I am the owner of Mouse....I want to thank the DAYS END RESCUE FARM for their dilligent efforts in saving my horse. If you have seen the video from the HSUS site you can hear that whom ever it is making the comments knows nothing about assessing a scene. Mouse was NOT hit by a truck and his leg is not mangled! He does have multiple abraision and bruises and did take a few stitches. His life was NEVER in jepordy. Once he was stuck he fell and laid still. He was given sedation to keep him that way while they managed to get the winch off of the truck.
He is refusing stall rest and was last seen happily TROTTING in his field.
I would really appreciate it if HSUS would stop playing the video on their site! It is very overstated and considering that they had NOTHING to do with aiding to the rescue of my horse I am finding it quite offensive.

[Janice]

I have also been in many parades with my Arab or TWH. Just as in life, things happen at parades. It is evident that PETA and HSUS are more interested in sensationalizing than actually knowing and reporting accurate information about the events. If they are unable to honestly and accurately critique this situation then how appropriate are they with the animals they want to regulate? It would seem PETA & HSUS may lack proper education and knowledge of the task before them.

[IonaTrailer]

The horse spooked, that happens sometimes. I'm glad he wasn't seriously injured and no one was hurt.

I would ask a serious question, how many of the PETA people making comments here know how to ride? Or is riding horses cruel, too?

Training the animal to remain calm and listen to the rider is the important thing.

[Amy]

Come on now...If you agree with PETA then you should NEVER drive a car...cars and humans don't mix!

[Jennifer A]

I think PETA needs to butt out. They think anything someone does to animals is abuse. Riding in parades is not all bad. I used to ride in local parades on my 18 year old horse and he loved it. He never spooked at the people, trucks, buggies, other animals, etc. and he was blind in one eye. If that's the case, then there shouldn't be horse shows or horse races either because it's basically the same thing. Even the most, "bomb-proof" horse spooks. It just happens. Horses can get injured in the field. My other horse does and there is nothing to get injured on. I'm glad the horse was not seriously injured. I am an avid horse lover and I see nothing wrong with parades.

[Horselover]

The statement from PETA and HSUS are the most absurd things I have heard in a long time. PETA would like for us to all become Vegans and do away with all meat slaughter in this country. Neither did anything to help this horse. If HSUS was there they did no more than any experienced horse person would do. Both groups are extremists. I commend the owner of Mouse for setting the record straight. I hope that President Obama reads the comments as it looks like PETA and HSUS both have his ear. If HSUS wants to be involved, why don't they help with the rescue groups that are struggling to help the unwanted horses that would have gone to slaughter and now have overwelmed the rescue groups!

[Lori Richards]

I'm glad the horse didn't sustain a serious injury. Anyone who has owned horses, and who has a lick of common sense knows accidents do happen, at home, at parades, in the pasture etc.......as far as the statement that a horse is happier out in the pasture does the person that made this comment actually own a horse???? I have several and mine (all registered Appaloosas) are they happiest when they are being ridden. They love attention and having a job! I use them for trail riding, show, and yes I have even went in several parades!!! America was made on the back of a horse, it is a American way of life and I agree PETA and HSUS need to butt out!!

[Dayton]

When will the press quit regurgitating everything PETA says!!! They are an "animal rights" group. They are not animal experts or veterinarians. Quite frankly I think they are extremist and self serving. They don't save dogs or rescue animals, in fact they kill animals and lots of them to make the news and to support some bizarre claim. Its time to stop quoting them and then pray they'll fade away.

[Cheryl Allen-Munley]

One of the highlights of my life was riding with the International Sidesaddle organization in Clinton's first inaugeration. I am looking at the framed photograph on the wall of my office. Every year I ride in parades. Sometimes sidesaddle, sometime in a carriage. Hundreds of horses participate every year. I'm sorry Mouse had a bad experience, but seems a little far to ban all horses form the inaugeration. People have heart attacks, asthma attacks, epileptic attacks - should we ban them too?

[Mary]

I arrived at the "ranch" to feed my horse in the morning. I noticed in the field there was a horse with his leg entangled in the cattle wire fence. No one else was around. I didn't know the horse and he didn't know me. I wondered how long he had been standing like that. I did notice he was sweaty. I very carefully proceeded to remove the fence from around his leg. He was smart enough to not fight me and after a few moments he was free.
Most horse owners are crazy about their animals and are careful not to endanger them in any situation. Things happen, which is apparently hard for PETA and extreme animal rights groups to wrap their heads around. I can appreciate their "love" for animals, but they go beyond the bounds of sanity and that is why other people who are sane can't relate or agree with them. I would suppose that if an animals entangles itself in a fence.......then PETA would say that fences should be outlawed? Probably. lol.

[Rhonda Watts Hettinger]

I am appalled at the incorrect and misleading information given in this article. Where is journalistic responsibility/ethics?

I am a member of Southern Ohio Ladies Aside (SOLA), the unit of which Mouse was a part, and was right beside him on my horse, six feet away, when he was became caught--i.e, an eyewitness. He was NOT "hit by a truck" (what on earth did HSUS think happened, that the truck was then parallel parked after the horse was caught?) He was momentarily spooked by something and backed into a PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED truck, catching his left hind leg in the winch frame after he kicked out at it.

Furthermore, the presence of HSUS was in no way "fortunate" in the rescue of Mouse. SOLA team member Kate Mitchell, pictured with Mouse, has stated categorically that HSUS people did nothing but flit around the edges taking pictures. It was she and SOLA walker Matthew Laszewski who restrained Mouse until the military vet sedated him; Matt who insisted on having the winch frame unbolted, which was done by members of the military; and Days' End Horse Rescue (not even mentioned in this article!) whose personnel provided and staffed the horse ambulance. Furthermore, it took only about 30 minutes to free Mouse--NOT the "two hours" given in the article, and by HSUS.

Mouse only required six stitches, and is recovering uneventfully--I have seen photos of the stitched cut, as well a video only a couple of days later showing Mouse prancing energetically in his paddock. His borium horse shoes are currently at auction on eBay (http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/naptown316), with all proceeds to go to Days' End Rescue. SOLA and American Sidesaddle Association are currently discussing honorary memberships to the military vet, other members of the military involved in the rescue, and personnel of Days' End Rescue for their efforts.

Please rescind the undeserved encomiums to HSUS, and publish a CORRECT version of what happened to Mouse!

Rhonda Watts Hettinger

Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
SSA A Instructor, Panel Judge (R)
ARIA Level III Instructor (ss, reining, riding to hounds)

Director, American Sidesaddle Association
www.americansidesaddleassociation.org
The Side Saddle Source
www.sidesaddlesource.com

[Susan]

Even if I didn't know the woman who was supposed to ride Mouse, the minute I hear PETA hypocrites butting in, I know a story is exaggerated.

[Emili]

I think PETA needs to shut up. They have caused more than enough problems in the animal world. They think they are helping but they just create a bigger problem. I am a horse owner myself and somethings just cannot be prevented. I have had a horse break his leg while just leading him to another pasture. So, the question remains, do horses have a place in parades? Hell yes they do. Like I said before somethings cannot be prevented and anything can happen. This is nothing but a freak accident. So heres to PETA SHUT UP because you just make things worse!

[Emili]

Those who agree with PETA obviously have never owned a horse or if they had they have never taken it beyond a trail ride. People need to realize its not people who are the problem its PETA. PETA made sure the horse slaughter plants in the US were closed therefore creating a larger problem of people letting the horses starve to death in the pastures. The slaughter houses humanely slaughtered horses and now they are suffering and dying for nothing. So PETA is the problem. Get IT.