One Year Later: A Happy Ending for Horses Who Survived Horrific Trailer Accident on I-44

The Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch has found homes for seven of the horses. Many others have recovered from injuries and are available for adoption.

September 26, 2007 (St. Louis, Mo.) – Forty-two horses were on their way to destruction in the predawn hours of Sept. 27, 2006, when fate and the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch intervened. A tractor trailer enroute to a slaughterhouse near Chicago veered off the road and overturned in the median on Interstate 44 in Franklin County and toppled on its side. Sixteen horses perished in the accident or had to be euthanized in the aftermath, but 25 horses and one hinny survived thanks in large part to rescue workers and volunteers dispatched by the Humane Society’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.

Now HSMO is pleased to report that seven of the horses have been adopted into happy homes from Longmeadow in Union, Mo., and that 13 are in good health and remain available for adoption. Three horses (one the offspring of a trailer passenger) are Barn Buddies, animal ambassadors at Longmeadow. Sadly, three horses had to be euthanized due to injuries sustained in the accident or other chronic health problems.

“The outpouring of support we received for these horses has been incredible,” said HSMO and Longmeadow Rescue Ranch president Kathy Warnick. “We’re glad to have found good homes for seven of these horses, but are hoping we can place more of the survivors in a forever home soon.”

One of the more heartwarming stories concerns Twist of Fate, or "Twister." He was born to Mama, a Thoroughbred mare that was pregnant and aboard the trailer when it crashed last year. Both Mama and Twister are now Barn Buddies and love to see visitors at Longmeadow during visiting hours on the first and third Saturdays of each month between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm.

The accident, as horrible as it was, had a redemptive quality, Warnick said. “It placed a spotlight on the inhumane treatment of horses that goes on daily across America. It’s a misconception that only old horses are packed off to a slaughterhouse. Many of the horses in the I-44 accident were young, though some were malnourished and had been mistreated. There are alternatives to slaughtering horses, including adoption and taking horses to rescue groups like The Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.”

According to the USDA, in 2006 more than 100,000 American horses were either slaughtered for export at a United States slaughterhouse or shipped to Canada or Mexico for slaughter. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a State of Illinois decision to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption effectively ending the slaughter of horses for food in the United States. Illinois is home to the last remaining horse slaughter plant in the country. Pending federal legislation would prevent transporting horses from the United States to Mexico or Canada for slaughter.

Horse Heroes Sponsorship Program:
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch has set up the Horse Heroes Sponsorship Program giving persons the opportunity to donate toward the treatment and continuing care of these deserving horses. Photos of the animals and an update of their condition can be seen here.

Donations may also be made by phone (314-951-1542)
or by mail:

Horse Heroes Sponsorship Program
Humane Society of Missouri
1201 Macklind Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110

Humane Society of Missouri's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Announces Miracle Colt's New Name: Twist of Fate

Find out how you can help these injured horses
by becoming a Horse Hero. May 2, 2007

More than 5,360 ballots cast in the voting to pick the colt’s new name

The Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is proud to announce Twist of Fate as the winning name for the new miracle colt born April 18. More than 5,360 votes were cast to help pick the colt’s name. “Twist of Fate” led the pack to become the colt’s marvelous moniker. Read More.

April 25, 2007 - A new baby has arrived at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. Mama, a pregnant Thoroughbred mare rescued in September from the horrible trailer wreck on I-44, gave birth on Wednesday, April 18, to a healthy baby boy. Mama and her new foal are resting and doing well under the care of staff and volunteers at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri.

-Voting has closed-
Name the Colt – Public Vote on www.hsmo.org/newfoal
Because of the outpouring of support and concern for the rescued horses, the Humane Society of Missouri is asking the community to help select the perfect name for the new colt. Ten names, selected by the Humane Society staff, are posted online at www.hsmo.org/newfoal. The public is invited to visit the website, click on Name the Colt and cast their vote for one of the following names:

• Longmeadow’s Second Chance Traveler Equus Fortuna Lucky Star Triumph Dream Dancer Lightening Twist of Fate Serendipity’s Road Runner
• Phoenix

To see more pictures of Mama and her colt click here.

November 2, 2006 – The Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch and Northland insurance company have finalized an agreement giving ownership of the horses that survived the horrific tractor-trailer accident on I-44 September 27 to the Humane Society of Missouri. In exchange, the Humane Society will not seek recovery of costs associated with the rescue, treatment and care of the animals. To date, these costs exceed $84,000.

Twenty-five horses and one hinny survived the accident. However, on October 19 at the direction of her veterinarian, one 13-year-old quarterhorse-type mare rescuers named Darlin was humanely euthanized. The veterinarian determined that severe and very painful injuries to her right rear hoof and spine were progressively getting worse and would not improve. Since the accident, two mares have miscarried foals.

Twenty-three of the horses are now being cared for at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri. One of the rescued horses is still being treated at an area equine veterinary hospital. This week the hinny returned to an equine veterinary hospital for further treatment of wounds on his backside.

Rescued Horses Recuperating at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch — The Humane Society of Missouri Actively Seeks Custody

October 17, 2006 – The horses that were involved in the tractor trailer accident on I-44 are on a long road to recovery at the Humane Society's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. We continue to post updates regarding their condition and custody status. Read the most recent update and find out how you can help these injured horses by becoming a Horse Hero. Read more.

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Asks Horse Lovers to Sponsor Individual Horses from Recent Interstate Accident
Horse Heroes Help Give a Second Chance to Severely Injured Horses

October 3, 2006 – The Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch has established a way for the thousands of persons interested in the fate of the equine survivors of last week’s horrific horse-trailer accident to help.

The Horse Heroes sponsorship program has been created featuring photos and descriptions of the surviving horses and hinny. (A hinny is the product of a female ass and a male horse.) Each animal can be sponsored for $25 or more. Sponsor an injured horse online or call 314-951-1542.

Currently, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is working with an insurance company to secure ownership of 26 animals so that they will not be sent for slaughter. 

Sponsorship of the surviving horses will help with costs associated with gaining ownership, meeting the mounting medical expenses to treat their injuries and providing a safe haven for them.

Horses Bound for Slaughter Get
a Second Chance at Life

September 29, 2006 – The 26 horses rescued alive from an overturned tractor trailer bound for a slaughter house on Wednesday morning continue their long road to recovery.

"A horse trailer accident is a horse person’s worst nightmare. In this case, it was especially egregious because the trailer was double-stacked with horses and going to a slaughter house,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri.

Four of the rescued horses recovering at the Humane Society of Missouri's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.

The 26 horses that were rescued alive have all experienced severe trauma, with many horses suffering multiple injuries, including cuts, lacerations, head trauma and even partial paralysis. The horses were taken to the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Mo., and to several area equine hospitals for treatment. "The horses rescued face a long, uphill battle to recover from their injuries. Some of the mares are pregnant and veterinarians are watching them closely. The Humane Society of Missouri is doing everything in its power to obtain custody of the horses to provide them a safe haven and save them from slaughter," said Warnick.

About Willie
Willie, named by rescuers on the scene for his will to survive because he was lying underneath a pile of dead and dying horses just after the accident, is a 4-year-old brown stallion quarter horse type. As a result of the accident, he had partial right side paralysis and breathing problems. He required IV fluids on the scene and at the triage area due to dehydration. Willie is now at a veterinary hospital with respiratory problems. He’s coughing and is in critical but stable condition.

About Freedom
Freedom, is a 4-year-old Gruella gelding, named by the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch staff because staff are doing everything to free him from slaughter. He has numerous cuts and scrapes, particularly on his legs. Freedom currently is being cared for at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. At one point the staff thought they might have to transport him to a veterinary hospital because the treatments required to take care of his wounds might cause him to be skittish and uncooperative. However, staff report he is very gentle and is allowing them to treat him without a whimper.

The 42 horses were on their way from Oklahoma to a slaughterhouse in Dekalb, Ill., one of the three slaughter houses in the United States. The ages of the horses involved in the accident ranged from yearlings to 20 years old. Some appeared malnourished. “It is a misconception that only old horses are taken to slaughterhouses. As we see in this case, horses of all ages are being shipped to slaughterhouses. There are alternatives to slaughtering horses, including adoption and supporting rescue groups like the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch,” said Warnick. Last year, nearly 100,000 American horses were either killed at one of the three United States slaughterhouses for export or shipped to Canada or Mexico for slaughter. On February 1, 2005, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) was introduced into Congress. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act prohibits the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption and for other purposes. On September 7, the U.S. House voted 263-146 to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, moving the country closer to preventing annual slaughter of nearly 100,000 horses in the United States for human consumption abroad. The Senate bill (S.1915) currently is awaiting action.“The Humane Society of Missouri vigorously supports the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This incident is just the latest example of why it is so important to urge the Senate to pass their version of the bill,” said Warnick.

To help defer the costs of this rescue and the Humane Society’s efforts to obtain custody of these animals, people can donate online or call 314-951-1542.

26 Horses Rescued from Horrific Highway
Accident Receiving Care
Horses Suffered Multiple Injuries; Some in Critical Condition
September 28, 2006 – 26 of the 42 horses involved in a trailer accident on Highway I-44 early yesterday morning near St. Clair, Missouri are alive and being cared for at the Humane Society of Missouri's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch and several local equine centers.The 26 living horses sustained injuries which include head trauma, internal injuries, eye swelling, ruptured tendon sheath, cuts and lacerations. One is suffering some leg paralysis. One small colt suffered nerve damage in his lower lip. Veterinarians sutured additional lacerations suffered by a pregnant mare who remains in guarded condition. All experienced severe trauma and, according to veterinarians, will require some time to recover."This was our worst possible nightmare, but one that we're prepared for," said Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Director Earlene Cole. The ranch is caring for eight of the rescued horses, one of which may need hospitalization.The horses were bound for a slaughter house in Dekalb, IL. The Humane Society of Missouri is working to gain custody of the rescued horses to prevent them from being slaughtered and to provide them with a safe haven.The Humane Society of Missouri vigorously supports the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503), recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which would outlaw the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The U.S. Senate must pass its version of the bill (S. 1915).

Make a donation to help defer the costs of this rescue and the Humane Society’s efforts to obtain custody of these animals. Donate online or call 314-951-1542.

Humane Society of Missouri Rescues Horses from Overturned Trailer

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Director Earlene Cole and a local veterinarian tend to an injured horse who was affectionately named "Willy" for his will to live. Although he requires medical attention, he is expected to survive.

September 27, 2006 – 42 horses in a trailer bound for DeKalb, IL slaughter house were involved in accident on Highway I-44 early this morning near St. Clair, Missouri. At 3:15 a.m. Incident Commander and Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Director Earlene Cole received a call from the Franklin County Sheriff’s office about the overturned trailer. Cole immediately directed a team of veterinarians and rescue personnel who arrived on the scene shortly after 4 a.m.26 horses were rescued alive and taken to St. Clair Saddle Club for triage and assessment. 7 horses died on the scene as a result of the accident and 9 seriously injured horses were humanely euthanized at the direction of the veterinarian on the scene.The 26 horses that were rescued alive have all experienced severe trauma, with many horses suffering multiple injuries, including cuts, lacerations, head trauma, and even partial paralysis.

Many of the surviving horses are now being treated at area equine hospitals, and others have been taken to the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri. The Humane Society of Missouri is working to obtain custody of the horses in order to provide them with a safe haven.

The Humane Society of Missouri also vigorously support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503), recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which would outlaw the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Now the U.S. Senate must pass its version of the bill (S. 1915).The Humane Society of Missouri and its Longmeadow Rescue Ranch have been designated as first responders in emergencies and disasters involving animals. Longmeadow, located in Union, Missouri, and operated by the Humane Society of Missouri, is one of the largest horse and farm rescue and rehabilitation facilities in the United States.

Make a donation to help defer the costs of this rescue and the Humane Society’s efforts to obtain custody of these animals. Donate online or call 314-951-1542.